--- title: "Health-Tested Puppies: Vet-Recommended Screening Checklist" type: "post" slug: "health-tested-puppies-vet-recommended-screening-checklist" published_at: "2026-11-05T05:20:22+00:00" modified_at: "2026-11-05T05:20:36+00:00" url: "https://sagepuppies.com/health-tested-puppies-vet-recommended-screening-checklist/" markdown_url: "https://sagepuppies.com/health-tested-puppies-vet-recommended-screening-checklist.md" taxonomy_category: - "Health & Wellness" - "Puppy Buyer Guides" author: "Matt Milar" publisher: "Sage Puppies" --- # Health-Tested Puppies: Vet-Recommended Screening Checklist > **Quick Summary:** Good health claims must come with verifiable records, including parent eye, hip, patella, and cardiac screenings, DNA reports, and the puppy’s own veterinary exam. DNA results and hands-on exams cover different risks, and neither guarantees a puppy will stay healthy, so buyers should check both parents’ records and verify OFA or CHIC numbers before paying a deposit. Sage Puppies says it provides that documentation for its Havanese, Havapoo, and Cavapoo puppies, but buyers should still request records, read the contract, and schedule an independent vet visit within 48 hours of pickup. Two breeders can both advertise health-tested puppies for sale near me and mean completely different things. One shows a named parent’s OFA patella clearance and a current eye exam. The other hands over a consumer DNA printout with no clinic results behind it. This guide fixes that confusion. It gives you a vet recommended puppy screening checklist, test by test, so you know exactly what to ask for before you fall in love with a puppy. You will learn which results come from parent exams, which come from DNA panels, and how to verify both yourself in public databases. We focus on Havanese, Havapoo, and Cavapoo lines, the small companion breeds families ask us about most. As a Utah-based Havanese, Havapoo, and Cavapoo program, Sage Puppies built this checklist around current breed club requirements and verifiable records, not breeder promises. Bring it to any breeder you talk to. ## What Vet-Recommended Puppy Screening Actually Covers Vet-recommended puppy screening is not one test. It is a mix of a puppy’s own exam records, health testing done on the parents, and DNA results that show what each dog carries. ### The Three Layers of Screening Buyers Often Confuse The first layer is the puppy exam: your vet checks the heart, eyes, knees, and weight at each visit. The second is parent screening, where adult dogs get OFA evaluations for hips, patellas, and eyes before they are ever bred. The third is DNA testing, which identifies gene variants the parents may pass on. Each layer answers a different question, so one record alone never tells the whole story. ### What Screening Can and Cannot Promise Screening lowers risk. It does not remove it. A clear hip evaluation on a parent lowers the odds of hip dysplasia in puppies, but it cannot guarantee any puppy stays free of disease for life. DNA results work the same way: a “clear” parent means no known variant was found, not a health promise. Good breeders pair screening with a written contract, and honest programs are upfront about what results do and do not cover. ### How to Read Health Testing Language on a Breeder’s Website Watch for three phrases. “Vet checked” usually means the puppy exam only. “Parents health tested” should point to verifiable OFA or CHIC records, such as the breed-specific screenings listed in the [OFA CHIC program](https://ofa.org/chic-programs/) . For Havanese, a CHIC number requires OFA hips, patellas, and annual eye exams, per the [Havanese Club of America](https://havaneseclubofamerica.org/hca-leads-the-way/) . Ask for the registration numbers, then confirm them yourself before you commit. ## The Core Screening Checklist: Eyes, Hips, Knees, and Heart Ask any breeder for four test types on each parent: an eye exam, a hip evaluation, a patella check, and a heart screening. Each one is done by a veterinarian, and each one targets a condition these small companion breeds actually carry. Here is what each test involves and the proof you should expect to see. ![Veterinarian gently examines a fluffy puppy’s knees](https://sagepuppies.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/ai-image-1793855853885-wr753.webp) Veterinarian gently examines a fluffy puppy’s knees ### Eye Examinations: Annual Screening by a Veterinary Ophthalmologist Eye disease is common in both Havanese and Cavaliers, so this test carries real weight. A board-certified ophthalmologist examines each parent dog, then records findings with the OFA’s eye registry, which replaced the older CERF system with [CAER exams](https://ofa.org/diseases/eye-certification/) . Because inherited eye problems can appear later in life, responsible breeders retest **annually**, not once. Ask to see the most recent exam date, not a certificate from years ago. ### Hip Radiographs: The Core Orthopedic Screen A hip dysplasia radiograph evaluation checks how well the hip ball sits in its socket. The vet or breeder submits X-rays to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, where reviewers score each hip and assign a rating from excellent to dysplastic. Havanese parents should carry this rating. Doodle parents may or may not, depending on the other breed in the mix, so ask which dogs were scored. ### Patella Evaluations: The Knees of Small Companion Breeds Patellar luxation, a kneecap that slips out of place, is the small-breed knee problem. A vet manually moves each kneecap and grades the looseness from normal to severely affected. Results can be registered with OFA, and parents should be graded normal. This screen is required for CHIC in Havanese, and it is especially relevant for tiny Havapoo and Cavapoo lines. ### Cardiac Evaluation and Other Supplementary Tests A heart screening rules out congenital defects and the heart murmurs small breeds tend to develop. An OFA cardiac exam pairs with DNA panels, which reveal *carrier status* for conditions like copper toxicosis in Havanese. These results feed a puppy health records packet you review before matching, alongside the puppy’s own exam. ## Breed-Specific Requirements for Havanese, Havapoo, and Cavapoo Which health tests do Havanese, Havapoo, and Cavapoo parents need? The answer depends on the parent breeds, because a crossbreed inherits each side’s risks. Use this table as a quick reference, then verify each result yourself. ![Pediatric paperwork beside eye and cardiac certificates](https://sagepuppies.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/ai-image-1793855910939-kjxm47.webp) Pediatric paperwork beside eye and cardiac certificates | Breed | Parent to screen | Applicable screenings | | --- | --- | --- | | Havanese | Havanese sire and dam | OFA hips, OFA patellas, annual CAER eye exam, cardiac, hearing | | Havapoo | Havanese parent | Havanese CHIC tests plus DNA for chondrodystrophy | | Havapoo | Poodle parent | OFA hips, patellas, eye exam, DNA for PRA | | Cavapoo | Cavalier parent | Cardiac clearances, eye exam, patellas, DNA | | Cavapoo | Poodle parent | Hips, eyes, PRA DNA, Furnishings | ### Current CHIC Requirements and What Changed The Havanese Club of America requires three tests for a CHIC number: an OFA hip evaluation, OFA patellas, and an annual eye exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist. Cardiac and hearing screens are recommended extras, not minimums. Because eye exams must be current each year, an old certificate proves little today. ### Screening Both Parent Breeds Separately For a Havapoo or Cavapoo, the purebred parent should meet its own breed’s standards, not a generic doodle checklist. Ask for the Havanese side’s CHIC paperwork and the Poodle side’s hip, eye, and PRA DNA results. Programs like Sage Puppies that document each parent separately make this easier, since every result maps to one named dog. ### Cavalier and Poodle Parent Screens Cavalier parents need cardiac evaluation above almost everything else, because mitral valve disease runs heavily in the breed, plus annual eye exams and patellas. The Poodle parent should show hip results, clear eyes, and PRA DNA status. Match the Cavapoo [health records you review](https://sagepuppies.com/cavapoo-puppy-health-records-what-to-check-before-choosing/) against both parent breeds, not just the litter. ## DNA and Genetic Panels: What They Add and What They Miss ### Why Genetic Results Are a Separate Layer A DNA panel tells you which gene variants a dog carries. It cannot tell you whether the dog’s hips, knees, heart, or eyes actually work well. Those come from hands-on exams. Structural problems like hip dysplasia and patellar luxation have no simple gene test, which is why the Havanese CHIC program still requires physical screening alongside any [DNA results](https://ofa.org/chic-programs/) . Treat genetics as one layer of proof, not the whole picture. ![Breeder compares genetic reports beside sleeping Havanese puppy](https://sagepuppies.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/ai-image-1793855936264-zsmige.webp) Breeder compares genetic reports beside sleeping Havanese puppy ### Reading a DNA Panel Report Ask for the actual report, not a summary. Check three things: the dog’s name and registration number, the lab’s name, and the result for each condition listed. A report should say **clear**, **carrier**, or **affected** for each gene. Carriers are healthy dogs that can pass a variant to puppies, so carrier status only matters when both parents carry the same condition. Ask which panel was used, because broad screening panels cover more conditions than single-gene tests. ### Mismatching DNA Results Between Parents Compare both parents’ reports for every shared condition. The safe pairing rule is simple: two carriers of the same gene should never be bred together, because that can produce affected puppies. One clear parent cancels the risk. If a breeder shares only one parent’s DNA report, or claims “the other one is fine,” ask for the missing document before you commit. ## How to Verify Health Testing Results Yourself You can check a breeder’s health testing results in three steps. First, search the OFA database by the parent’s registered name. Second, confirm any CHIC number listed there. Third, ask for the DNA reports and vet records, then match dates and names to what the breeder claimed. ### Searching the OFA Database by Parent Name Start with the [OFA database search](https://ofa.org) on the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals site. Enter the mother or father’s full registered name, not the kennel or “mom” nickname. Results show patellar luxation evaluations, hip dysplasia radiograph findings, cardiac exams, and eye clearances from a veterinary ophthalmologist. If nothing appears, ask the breeder for the exact spelling of the parent’s registered name. ### Confirming a CHIC Number A **CHIC number** is an OFA identifier showing a dog met that breed’s required health tests, though it does not guarantee clear results. For Havanese, CHIC requires patellar luxation, cardiac, and eye exams plus hip evaluation. Type the number into OFA’s lookup to see which tests were completed and whether each one passed or flagged a concern. ### Verifying DNA Reports and Vet Records Ask for the actual documents, not summaries. A real DNA report lists the lab, the dog’s registered name, and *carrier* or *clear* status for each condition. Vet records should show the puppy’s exam dates, weight, and any vaccines given. Match every name and date against the breeder’s claims before you sign a written puppy purchase contract. ![Family verifies puppy DNA and vet records](https://sagepuppies.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/ai-image-1793855959055-s5sntf.webp) Family verifies puppy DNA and vet records This same habit works well when comparing Havanese, Havapoo, and Cavapoo litters, since every breeder’s paperwork should stand up to the same check. ## Questions to Ask a Breeder Before You Pay a Deposit Before any deposit changes hands, ask what a breeder actually tested, not what they promise. The right questions will surface real results fast, including DNA carrier status, patellar luxation screening, and any hip dysplasia radiograph evaluation. Put them in writing and ask for documents. ### Ten Questions That Surface Real Results 1. What health tests did each parent complete, and when? 2. Can you share the OFA or CHIC records by registration number? 3. Which DNA panel covered each parent, and what are the carrier results? 4. Who performed the eye exam, and was it a veterinary ophthalmologist? 5. May I see the puppy’s exam record from your vet? 6. What does your written puppy purchase contract cover? 7. Have any dogs in this line had seizures, heart issues, or luxating patellas? 8. What happens if a puppy tests positive for a condition later? 9. Which parent is a carrier for anything, and how did you plan the pairing? 10. Can I speak with families from past litters? > Tip: Ask for results, not reassurance. “She’s healthy” means nothing; a document number you can verify does. ### Red Flags in Health Testing Claims Watch for vague phrases like “vet checked parents” with no dates or registry numbers. A [CHIC listing](https://ofa.org/chic-programs/) requires permanent ID and breed-specific tests, so an unverifiable “CHIC-certified” claim is a warning sign. So is refusing to share DNA paperwork, or testing only one parent. ### Understanding What Health Testing Does to Cost Screening costs money, and that shows up in the price. [Havanese breeders](https://havaneseclubofamerica.org/havanese-health/) need annual eye exams, hip X-rays, and patella evaluations for a CHIC number, and DNA panels add more. Documented programs, including Sage Puppies, price accordingly because prevention beats treatment. ## After Purchase: Vet Records, First Visits, and Ongoing Screening ### What to Request in the Puppy’s Handover Folder The folder should contain four items: a written health record with vaccine dates and deworming, the parent screening results, the puppy’s DNA test report, and a signed purchase contract. Ask for the physical exam notes from the litter’s vet check, not just a summary. A breeder who keeps organized puppy health records makes this easy; one who hesitates deserves a closer look. ### Scheduling the First Independent Vet Visit Book your own vet within the first few days, ideally within 48 hours of pickup or delivery. Most puppies need vaccine boosters every three to four weeks until about 16 weeks old, so bring the handover records and let your vet plan the rest of the series. Your vet’s exam is your independent check on the breeder’s paperwork. Our [first vet visit checklist](https://sagepuppies.com/first-vet-visit-checklist-for-new-puppies/) walks through what to ask at that appointment. ### Screening That Continues Past the First Year Parent screening protects the puppy, but some conditions appear later. Schedule annual eye exams for Havanese, Havapoos, and Cavapoos, and ask your vet to check patellas at each visit. If your puppy carries a gene for a late-onset condition, your vet can set up monitoring years before symptoms start. Screening is a lifelong habit, not a one-time purchase event. ![Sage Puppies homepage](https://sagepuppies.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/sagepuppies.com-1781544698129.png) Sage Puppies homepage Your checklist works only if the breeder’s paperwork backs it up. At [Sage Puppies](https://sagepuppies.com) , every Havanese, Havapoo and Cavapoo comes with documented exam records and parent health screening you can verify before you commit. Ready to meet a well-bred puppy with nothing to hide? Start the application today and see the health files for yourself. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Q1: What health tests and vet screenings should I look for when choosing a puppy? Look for four parent tests: an annual eye exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist, OFA hip and patella evaluations, and a cardiac check. Add DNA reports showing carrier status, plus the puppy’s own vet exam record. Verify everything in the OFA database before paying. ### Q2: What should I ask a breeder before paying a deposit? Ask which parent tests were completed, request OFA or CHIC numbers, see both parents’ DNA reports, review the puppy’s exam records, and read the written purchase contract. Get documents, not reassurance. ### Q3: Do both parents of a Havapoo or Cavapoo need testing? Yes. The Havanese or Cavalier parent should meet its own breed’s requirements, and the Poodle parent needs hips, eyes, and PRA DNA results. ### Q4: Is a CHIC number a guarantee of health? No. It confirms the required tests were completed, not that every result was clear. Check each individual result. ### Q5: Can DNA testing replace OFA exams? No. DNA shows gene variants only. Hip, knee, eye, and heart health still require hands-on veterinary exams. ## Conclusion Health testing only counts when you can see the records. A real screening program shows parent eye exams, OFA hip and patella results, cardiac checks, DNA reports, and the puppy’s own exam paperwork, all verifiable in a CHIC number lookup or the OFA database. DNA carrier status and hands-on exams answer different questions, so a good breeder documents both. For Havanese, Havapoo, and Cavapoo families, that paperwork separates careful programs from hopeful promises. Ask for documents, check each result yourself, and you will know within minutes whether a breeder’s health claims hold up.