How to Use the OFA Website to View a Dog’s Health Test Results
- Sheila Markazi
- Dec 19, 2025
- 6 min read
When you’re ready to bring a new puppy into your family, one of the most important steps is making sure the dog comes from a responsible breeder. A key part of this is verifying the health of the puppy’s parents through health testing. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) offers a public database where many reputable breeders submit their dogs’ health test results. Knowing how to look up OFA results can give you peace of mind and help you make an informed decision.
This guide will walk you through the process of using the OFA website to check a dog’s health test results, explain what the results mean, and help you understand why parental health testing matters for your future puppy’s well-being.
Why You Look Up the Parents, Not the Puppy
Most health tests tracked by OFA require the dog to be fully grown or at least a certain age before testing. Because of this, you usually won’t find results for a young puppy. Instead, you look up the puppy’s parents—the dam (mother) and sire (father)—to see their health history.
Parental health testing matters because it helps predict the puppy’s long-term health. If both parents have clear health screenings, the chances of inherited conditions are lower. This is why responsible breeders share their dogs’ OFA results openly, and why you should verify these results before buying a puppy.
How to Find the OFA Search Page
Start by visiting the official OFA website at ofa.org. On the homepage, look for the Search OFA Health-Tested Dogs link in top-right corner. Clicking it opens a search field where you can enter the dog’s information to view their available health test results.
What Information You Need to Search
To find health test results for your potential puppy's parents, you'll need identifying details about both the dam (mother) and the sire (father). For each parent, you can search using:
Registered name – This is the official name registered with a kennel club (like the American Kennel Club)
Registration number – The unique identification number assigned by the kennel club (AKC, CKC, etc.)
Microchip number – Though less commonly used for OFA searches, this can also work
You'll want to search for each parent individually to view their complete health testing records.
Where to Get This Information
Many responsible breeders make their dogs' registered names and health testing information readily available. You may find this information:
On the breeder's website – Many breeders list their dogs' registered names and link directly to OFA results
In breeding announcements or puppy listings
On the breeder's social media pages
Directly from the breeder when you inquire
On the puppy's pedigree or registration paperwork (this might be available to you once you've committed to a puppy)
If Information Isn't Readily Available
Some breeders don't publish registered names online but will share them when you inquire. There can be legitimate reasons for this:
Breeding not yet finalized – If using an outside stud dog, details may not be available until the breeding is confirmed
Privacy with co-owned dogs – Some dogs are co-owned, requiring permission before sharing details publicly
Website not updated – Some breeders simply haven't gotten around to adding this information online
A simple inquiry should resolve this. However, if a breeder is evasive, claims the parents are health tested but refuses to provide names to verify, or makes it difficult for serious buyers to confirm testing, those are legitimate red flags.
Step-by-Step Guide to Searching OFA Results
Go to the OFA Search Page
Visit ofa.org and click on the Search OFA Health-Tested Dogs link in top-right corner.
Enter the Dog’s Details
Enter the registered name or registration number of the dog you are searching for, then click the Search button or press Enter/Return to submit. You can also use the Advanced Search option to search by other fields, such as a CHIC or OFA number, or to narrow your results by adding details like breed or age.
Review the Search Results
The database will display a list of dogs that match your search criteria, showing details like name, registration number, breed, sex, color, and birthdate. Use these details to find the correct dog, then click their entry to view their health test results.
Navigate the Profile
Scroll through the results to see different categories of health tests.
What to Look For on a Dog’s OFA Profile
When you open a dog’s profile in the OFA database, you’ll see a lot of information on the page. While all of it can provide helpful context, most puppy buyers only need to focus on two key areas to understand what health testing has been completed and whether they’re looking at the correct dog.
Dog Identity and Parent Information
At the top of the profile, you’ll find the dog’s identifying details. This section helps confirm that you’re viewing the correct dog and shows how the dog is connected to others in the database.
This section typically includes:
The dog’s registered name
Registration number
Breed
Sex and color
Date of birth
Sire and dam (the dog’s parents)
For puppy buyers, this information is especially important because it allows you to click through and review the parents’ OFA profiles. Since most OFA health tests are performed on adult dogs, the parents’ results are often the most relevant information available.
Health Test Results Table
A little further down the page is the health test results table, which is the most important part of an OFA profile. This table shows exactly which health tests have been submitted to OFA for this dog.
Each row represents a specific test and includes:
The test type (such as hips, elbows, cardiac, or eyes)
The test date and report date
The dog’s age at the time of testing
The conclusion or grade
The official OFA number for that test
If a test appears in this table, it means the results were completed and officially submitted to OFA. If a test does not appear, it may not have been done, may not have been submitted, or may have been completed through a different testing program.
Common OFA Health Test Categories
Not every dog will have the same set of tests, and requirements vary by breed, age, and purpose.
Below are some of the most common health tests you’ll see on OFA profiles, along with a brief explanation of what each one evaluates and why it matters.
Hips
This test screens for hip dysplasia, a common inherited joint condition. OFA grades hips from Excellent to Severe Dysplasia.
Elbows
This checks for elbow dysplasia, another joint issue that can affect mobility.
Patellas
This test looks for luxating patellas, where the kneecap slips out of place.
Cardiac
Heart screenings check for congenital or inherited heart conditions.
Eyes (CAER)
The Canine Eye Registration Foundation (CERF) or CAER exams screen for inherited eye diseases.
Thyroid
Thyroid testing checks for hypothyroidism, a common hormonal disorder.
Genetic Tests
These include DNA tests for specific breed-related diseases.
CHIC Status
CHIC (Canine Health Information Center) status shows if a dog has completed all recommended health tests for its breed.
Tips for Interpreting OFA Results
Missing Tests
If a test is missing, it could mean the breeder hasn’t submitted results or the dog hasn’t been tested. Ask the breeder for clarification.
OFA Grades
Grades like “Excellent,” “Good,” or “Fair” indicate the health of hips or elbows. Lower grades mean better joint health.
No Results Found
This means the dog’s information isn’t in the database. It doesn’t necessarily mean the dog wasn’t tested, but you should ask the breeder for proof.
When OFA May Not Have All the Information
While OFA is a trusted resource, not all breeders use it exclusively. Some use alternative programs like PennHIP for hip evaluation or specialists for eye exams outside CAER. These tests can be equally valid but might not appear in the OFA database.
If you see missing information, ask the breeder if they use other testing programs and request documentation. Responsible breeders will be transparent and provide proof of all health screenings.
How Using OFA Helps You Choose a Responsible Breeder
By learning how to look up OFA results, you gain access to a wealth of health information that reputable breeders share to prove their commitment to healthy puppies. This transparency helps you avoid breeders who skip important health testing or hide results.
Using the OFA database is a practical step to verify dog health tests and feel confident about your puppy’s future.
Final Thoughts on Using OFA for Puppy Buyers
Checking the OFA database is a simple but powerful way to protect your new puppy’s health. Remember to:
Look up the parents, not the puppy
Gather accurate identifying information
Understand what each health test means
Ask breeders for missing or alternative test results
Learning how to perform a search on the OFA website and view reputable dog breeder health test records are steps towards finding a happy healthy puppy. To move your puppy search forward, you’ll need to contact breeders, gather the registered names, OFA numbers, or registration numbers for the dogs they’re breeding, look up each parent individually, and carefully review the health test results.
This process involves a significant amount of outreach, follow-through, and detailed research. If you’d like this part of the puppy search — and more — handled for you, Puppy Due Diligence offers research-based consulting designed to support thorough, responsible decision-making. Explore my services to streamline your research and feel confident in the choices you make for your future puppy.
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