The Importance of Genetic & Health Testing

When choosing a puppy, health should never be left to chance. Behind every healthy, happy puppy we place is a foundation of careful planning, ethical breeding practices, and thorough health testing.

We take the extra steps to ensure the puppies we raise are not only adorable, but come from genetically sound, health-screened parents, because your peace of mind matters.

As a responsible breeder, our goal is to improve the breed, not just maintain it. That means making informed, science-based decisions when selecting our breeding pairs.

We conduct comprehensive genetic testing through Animal Genetics and Embark, trusted leaders in canine DNA health screening. This allows us to test for 200+ of inherited diseases, including conditions that may not show outward symptoms until later in life.

In addition to genetic screening, we also use OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) for physical health testing, including:

• Hip and elbow dysplasia
• Cardiac evaluations
• Eye certifications (CAER)

These tests help us make confident, responsible breeding choices and help ensure that we’re doing everything possible to produce strong, healthy puppies.

When you bring home a puppy from health-tested parents, you’re not only giving your dog the best possible start, you’re also protecting your heart and your investment.

Choosing a breeder who tests through Embark, Animal Genetics and OFA means:

• Reduced risk of inherited health conditions
• Increased confidence in your puppy’s long-term health
• Honest, transparent breeding practices
• A breeder who is committed to doing things the right way

While genetic testing is often associated with identifying diseases, it also helps responsible breeders produce the traits families are looking for, in both appearance and personality.

When we use DNA testing, we’re not just avoiding genetic diseases, we’re also understanding how our breeding dogs carry and pass on specific traits like:

• Coat type and texture (wavy, curly, straight)
• Color patterns (phantom, tri-color, merle, parti, etc.)
• Furnishings (the cute "bearded" doodle look vs. the flat-coated look)
• Shedding likelihood
• Size potential
• Even elements of temperament, personality and trainability

This means we can plan our pairings carefully to produce consistent, predictable puppies... both in health and in appearance.

Breeders who skip genetic testing are essentially “breeding blind.” Without DNA insight, they risk:

• Pairing two dogs that carry the same genetic disease
• Producing puppies with higher chances of health complications
• Creating puppies with unexpected coat types, colors, or shedding levels
• Passing along traits families were specifically trying to avoid

This can lead to families who are disappointed or even overwhelmed... especially if they expected a low-shedding, allergy-friendly puppy and got the opposite.

We don’t “hope” for healthy, well-structured puppies with great coats and coloring... we plan for them. Because you deserve a puppy who brings joy for years to come... not surprises.

While no breeder can guarantee perfect health, health testing is one of the most important tools we have to raise happy, healthy dogs. It’s just one more way we go above and beyond to bless our puppy families.