Common Great Dane health tests and certifications.

OFA-Hip

OFA - The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, is a group of radiologists who examine x-rays of dogs hips taken when screening for hip dysplasia.

The x-rays are reviewed to confirm the condition and its progression, or rate the hips either good/fair, excellent, or normal (no dysplasia). The dog's hips then receive an OFA certification as judged by the x-rays.

OFA-Hip testing can be used at any age however the hips can't be OFA certified until the dog is 2-years or older.

Penn-Hip

Penn-Hip is also used to screen for dysplasia. With Penn-Hip testing, x-rays are scanned electronically, unlike OFA testing where there is a chance of human error or oversight.

Penn-Hip screening can be performed at any age and a puppy can be Penn-Hip certified as early as 6-months old.

In addition to hip testing, some breeders will go a step further with elbow and knee testing.

Von Willebrands Disease (VWD)

Similar to human Hemophilia is a Great Dane health problem that some breeders may screen for.

CERF-Eye

CERF - Canine Eye Registration Foundation.

CERF-Eye certification requires annual Veterinary eye exams. Eyes are examined to assure they are free of congenital problems or diseases. Again, this is a yearly test, eyes must be examined annually to maintain the certification.

Cardiac Screening

Some breeders will have a Veterinary Cardiologist screen for problems such as Cardiomyopathy and other heart disease that are common to Great Danes.

Thyroid

Thyroid testing is a relatively inexpensive test where blood is drawn and screened for proper thyroid levels.