Why We Health Test
You're choosing a family member, and you deserve to know what's behind them. Health testing tells us what each parent brings to a litter, both the things you can see on an exam and the things only DNA can show.
What "CHIC standards" means: CHIC (the Canine Health Information Center) works with the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA). Each breed's national club picks the health screenings that matter most for that breed, and CHIC publishes that list as the standard for the breed. Results are recorded in the OFA's public database, so anyone can look them up.
CHIC lists exist only for purebred breeds, so they apply to our Cavalier and Poodle parents. We follow those lists, then go further with a complete genetic disease panel. Cavapoos aren't purebred and have no CHIC list, but we still test our Cavapoo parents for heart, eyes, patellas, and hips.
Health first. Then
Temperament.
Then Color.
That's the order we follow for every pairing. Every parent also gets a vet physical before each pairing.​
01
Our Health Testing, by Breed
What each parent is tested for
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
Our Cavalier Parents
The parents of our Chocolate Cavaliers and the Cavalier side of our Cavapoos.
Heart: Checked by our vet and a cardiologist. Cavaliers as a breed are prone to heart disease, so heart health is a top priority.
Eyes: An exam by a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist, checking for inherited eye conditions.
Patellas: A vet exam of the kneecaps, checking for luxating patella.
Hips: X-rays, typically taken around 2 years old, evaluated by the OFA for hip dysplasia.
DNA panel: A complete panel covering DM (degenerative myelopathy), EFS (episodic falling syndrome), PRA (progressive retinal atrophy), and CKCSID (dry eye/curly coat), plus color testing.
Poodles
Our Poodle Parents
The parents who give our Cavapoos their Poodle side.
PRA: A DNA test for PRA-prcd (progressive retinal atrophy), an inherited condition that leads to vision loss.
Eyes: An exam by a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist.
Patellas: A vet exam of the kneecaps, checking for luxating patella.
Hips: X-rays evaluated by the OFA for hip dysplasia.
DNA panel: A complete panel covering inherited conditions known in Poodles.
Cavapoos
Our Cavapoo Parents
Cavapoos aren't purebred, so there's no CHIC list for them. We still health test our Cavapoo parents for the same four areas.
Heart: Checked by our vet. Since Cavapoos are part Cavalier it is important to check their heart as well.
Eyes: An exam by a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist.
Patellas: A vet exam of the kneecaps, checking for luxating patella.
Hips: X-rays evaluated by the OFA for hip dysplasia.
See How OFA Eye Exams Work
Genetic Disease Panels
We swab each parent's cheek and send it to Animal Genetics in Florida, and sometimes to Embark. Animal Genetics results come back in about 1–2 weeks.
A DNA panel finds what a physical exam can't: whether a dog carries a gene for an inherited condition, even when that dog is perfectly healthy. I love this part of the work, and it's how we plan every litter.
See the Results for Yourself
We don't ask you to take our word for it. Each puppy's page links to its mom's and dad's pages, and every parent page has an OFA button that opens their record in the OFA database, where you can see each of their health test results. You'll also see the actual parents in every ultrasound and litter video we post.
Vet Care for Every Puppy
Health testing starts with the parents, and our vet stays involved through every puppy's first weeks.
A wellness check at around 6–7 weeks
A vet physical before go-home day
Up-to-date, age-appropriate vaccines and deworming
A complete health record that goes home with your puppy
Every puppy is also covered by our written Health & Genetic Guarantee, which includes the breed-specific conditions CKCSID, DM, EFS, and PRA-prcd for 2 years.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does CHIC mean?
CHIC is the Canine Health Information Center. It keeps the list of health screenings each breed's national club recommends, and results are recorded in the OFA's public database. CHIC covers purebred dogs, so it applies to our Cavalier and Poodle parents. Our Cavapoo parents aren't purebred, but they still get heart, eye, patella, and hip testing.
Can I see the parents' test results?
Yes. Open any puppy's page and click through to its parents. Each parent's page has an OFA button that links straight to their OFA record.
Which lab do you use for DNA testing?
Usually Animal Genetics in Florida, and sometimes Embark. Results take about 1–2 weeks.
Does health testing mean my puppy will never have health problems?
No breeder can promise that, and we won't. Testing lowers the risk of inherited conditions, and our written Health & Genetic Guarantee spells out exactly what's covered.
What should I do after I bring my puppy home?
Questions About Our Health Testing?
I'm happy to talk through any parent's results with you. Call, text, or set up a FaceTime.
Call/Text: 740-209-5931