The Dude’s a CHIC
Ch Mariels Flying Spirit, RN
Well he will be once all the test results get turned in to OFA.
What is CHIC? This is from their website:
The Canine Health Information Center, also known as CHIC, is a centralized canine health database jointly sponsored by the AKC/Canine Health Foundation (AKC/CHF) and the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA). The CHIC, working with participating parent clubs, provides a resource for breeders and owners of purebred dogs to research and maintain information on the health issues prevalent in specific breeds. For more info please visit their website http://www.caninehealthinfo.org/
For the Cardigan Welsh Corgi the the Parent club requires for a CHIC number are:
- OFA Evaluation – OR
- OVC Evaluation – OR
- PennHIP Evaluation
- CERF Evaluation
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
- OFA evaluation from an approved laboratory
PJ, has been CERF’d several times but we will send an updated CERF next week. He is cleared thru his pedigree for PRA but I went ahead and submitted DNA for a DNA clearance. He is OFA Good for Hips and that information has been on file with OFA since he was 2 years old.
You may ask, If you have all the information already, why test for more? Part of being a responsible breeder is being open with your testing and letting puppy buyers and other breeders know what you are doing. Will I do CHIC numbers for all my dogs? No, will I test them? Yes and I’ll be happy to share results. Health tests are one of the many tools in a responsible breeders tool box. Will a dog with great health checks be bred? Maybe, Maybe not unless the rest of dog goes along with the checks. Will a dog with lesser heath scores be bred? Maybe if the attributes of that dog will make a better Cardigan.
Breeding is an Art and a Science, health checks is part fo the science.
Solstice Kennels 