The Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) is a registry for health testing of purebred dogs. Each breed has a set of health tests required for a CHIC number to be issued. For the Leonberger the health tests that are required to fulfill the CHIC requirements are Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) rated hips and elbows (done after 2 years of age), eyes tested via a certified canine ophthalmologist and the results submitted to the Canine Eye Registration Foundation (CERF), and OFA thyroid screening carried out at an OFA approved laboratory. A CHIC number is issued if a Leonberger has these four health tests completed. A CHIC number does NOT indicate passing health tests only that the health testing was done and the results are available in the public domain (for you to search). The more health testing information in the public domain the better able breeders are to make sound breeding decisions.
The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is where you can find health test results for Leonbergers and other breeds of dogs and cats too! You can search the registered name of the dog to find the health tests that have been completed where the results have been sent to OFA. OFA passing hips are rated excellent, good or fair and any of these passing grades are given an OFA number. OFA passing elbows are only graded clear and are given a OFA number. OFA normal thyroid is given an OFA number also. An OFA equivocal rating for thyroid indicates that the test result did not confirm an OFA thyroid problem but did not conform to the thyroid testing to indicate normal thyroid either. Many OFA equivocal thyroid results do not indicate a thyroid problem but some equivocal results can be an indicator for a future thyroid problem. Failing thyroid results indicate thyroid issues which in some cases are known to be genetic in nature. Eyes are CERFed clear of hereditary eye problems such a cataracts. Eye certifications are valid for one year and frequent eye exams are important to determine the health of the eyes as the dog ages.
When looking for a Leonberger puppy it is important that the parents of your puppy have health screening completed. CHIC numbers are a good way to determine if the parents of your puppy have the recommended health tests completed. You should discuss with the breeder the results of those and other health tests carried out on their dogs.
