If you're looking for a Bernese Mountain Dog breeder, it's essential to find one who prioritizes the health of their dogs. One valuable resource you can use to assess a breeder's commitment to canine health is Berner-Garde, a database where breeders and owners can submit health and genetic tests, view pedigrees, and more. When browsing Berner-Garde, you'll likely come across references to OFA results. But what exactly are OFAs, and why do they matter?
What Are OFA's and Why Are They Important for Your Bernese Mountain Dog?
OFA stands for the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, and they provide certification for radiographs of a dog's hips and elbows. These radiographs are an important tool for assessing the dog's joint health and can be scored as excellent, good, fair, or dysplastic. Dysplasia refers to an abnormality in the development of the joint, which can cause pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility.
Understanding Hip and Elbow Dysplasia in Bernese Mountain Dogs
Hip and elbow dysplasia is a common orthopedic condition in larger breed dogs, including Bernese Mountain Dogs. It is a developmental disorder that affects the hip and elbow joints, causing abnormal formation and eventual degeneration of the joints. The condition can be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors, such as rapid weight gain, joint stresses, and improper joint development. This can result in lameness, pain, and stiffness in the affected joints, and can severely impact a dog's quality of life. Early detection and proper management of hip and elbow dysplasia are crucial in ensuring a dog's long-term mobility and well-being.
Protecting Your Bernese Mountain Dog's Joints: Tips for Puppy Care
As your puppy grows, it's important to monitor their diet and activity levels to protect their growing joints. One way to do this is by adding area rugs to slippery surfaces in your home, which can reduce the risk of falls and injuries. Keeping the fur between their toes trimmed is another helpful step for improving their traction on smooth surfaces. It's also important to avoid excessive climbing or other strenuous activities that can put stress on their joints during this critical period of growth. By taking these proactive steps, you can help prevent or minimize the risk of hip and elbow dysplasia and ensure your Berner grows up to be healthy and happy.
When Should You Get Your Bernese Mountain Dog's OFA's Done?
To determine a clear reading, OFA radiographs should be taken when the dog is at least 24 months old. However, preliminary tests (prelims) can be done earlier and can help breeders make informed decisions about future breeding pairs. It is important to have these tests done when the dog is 24 months old because as they age, joint changes and abnormalities can occur due to various factors such as injury or arthritis, making it difficult to determine if any abnormalities seen in the radiographs are solely due to genetics or other factors. In cases where a dog is older than 24 months and is found to have abnormalities, it is important to take into consideration any potential environmental factors or injuries that may have contributed to the results. However, it is still recommended to have the tests done at 24 months of age to ensure the most accurate reading and to help breeders make informed decisions for future litters.
Our Requirements for Your Bernese Mountain Dog's Health Tests
We take the health of our Bernese Mountain Dogs very seriously and require certain health tests to be performed on your puppy. At 24 months of age, we require a radiograph to be taken for your puppy's hips and elbows which must be certified by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) www.offa.org. We also highly recommend having your puppy's eyes and heart checked by a certified ophthalmologist and cardiologist around the same time. This information is extremely valuable to us as it allows us to assess the health and quality of our litters, and continue to breed happy and healthy Berners.
Overall, the more data we have on a dog's joint health, the better we can make informed breeding decisions that prioritize the long-term health and well-being of the breed. So, if you're considering getting a Bernese Mountain Dog, we highly recommend working with a breeder who prioritizes OFA testing and other health measures to ensure the best possible outcomes for you and your furry friend!
Here is a link to the calendar of OFA clinics Nationwide: https://ofa.org/health-clinics/
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