--- title: "Where to Buy Health-Tested Puppies Near You Safely" type: "post" slug: "where-to-buy-health-tested-puppies-near-you-safely" published_at: "2026-11-04T00:35:21+00:00" modified_at: "2026-11-04T00:35:33+00:00" url: "https://sagepuppies.com/where-to-buy-health-tested-puppies-near-you-safely/" markdown_url: "https://sagepuppies.com/where-to-buy-health-tested-puppies-near-you-safely.md" taxonomy_category: - "Puppy Buyer Guides" - "Puppy Scams & Safety" author: "Matt Milar" publisher: "Sage Puppies" --- # Where to Buy Health-Tested Puppies Near You Safely > **Quick Summary:** Safe puppy buying depends on verifying health claims, not trusting the phrase “health tested.” Check breed-club and OFA listings, request both parents’ DNA, orthopedic, eye, and CHIC records, and confirm them directly at ofa.org before paying. Meet the mother or request a live home tour, review the contract, use traceable payment, and walk away from sellers who pressure you, dodge records, request wire transfers or gift cards, or make health claims you cannot verify. Two puppy listings can both claim “health tested,” yet the proof behind them can differ completely. One buyer asks to see paperwork and confirms the parent’s hip radiographs and eye exam dates. The other gets a cute lifestyle photo and a promise to “send records after pickup.” That gap is where most puppy-buying regret starts, and it is exactly the problem this guide solves. We will walk through knowing where to buy health tested puppies, how to verify each claim before money moves, and what safe pickup or delivery looks like. You get a step-by-step system: check the parent dog health screening against breed-specific requirements, confirm records in independent registries, and compare pickup versus delivery without shortcuts. It draws on documented experience from our small Utah program breeding Havanese, Havapoo, and Cavapoo puppies only, so every example uses breeds we place with families every day. ## Step 1: Know What Health Testing Actually Covers If you are searching for where to buy health tested puppies, start by decoding the phrase itself. Sellers use “health tested” to mean three different things, and only one of them protects your family. ![Breeder reviews puppy health certificates and DNA reports](https://sagepuppies.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/ai-image-1793752348226-qyjqoc.webp) Breeder reviews puppy health certificates and DNA reports ### Three Different Things Sellers Mean by Health Tested A **DNA test** screens for inherited gene variants. An **orthopedic screen** checks a parent’s actual hips, kneecaps, or heart through a physical exam. A **vet check** only says a puppy looked healthy on one day. A DNA test and a CHIC certificate are not the same thing: a DNA test looks at genes, while a CHIC number confirms the dog completed a breed’s set of exam-based screens. Ask which type you are getting, in writing. | Term | What It Checks | What It Proves | | --- | --- | --- | | DNA test | Inherited gene variants | Carrier status for specific diseases | | CHIC number | Completion of breed-specific exams | Tests were done and results are public | | Vet check | One-day exam | Puppy seemed healthy that day | ### What CHIC Certification Does and Does Not Tell You CHIC is run by the OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals). Earning a CHIC number means a dog completed its breed’s required tests and the owner agreed to publish results, even failing ones. It does **not** mean the dog passed everything or is free of disease. Read the actual results, not just the number, when you verify a breeder’s claims. ### Breed-Specific Expectations for Havanese, Havapoo, and Cavapoo For Havanese, the breed club’s [health and testing guide](https://havaneseclubofamerica.org/health-issues-and-testing/) lists patellar luxation as one of the core OFA tests needed for a CHIC number, alongside cardiac and eye exams. Cavapoo and Havapoo parents should show the same kneecap and eye screening on both the Cavalier or Havanese side and the poodle side. If a seller only mentions DNA panels, ask what happened to the physical exams. We break down each test on our [health testing page](https://sagepuppies.com/health-testing-for-puppies-tests-every-buyer-should-know/) , so you can compare paperwork before you commit. ## Step 2: Find Sellers of Health-Tested Puppies in Channels You Can Actually Vet Where can you find sellers of health-tested puppies near you? Start with these channels, in this order: 1. **Breed clubs and parent-club breeder directories** – members agree to health testing standards. 2. **OFA’s breeder listings** – searchable by breed and state. 3. **Small in-home programs with public health records** – ask for certificates before you visit. 4. **Referrals from your veterinarian or local breed-rescue network** – they see outcomes, not marketing. Avoid classified ad sites, online puppy stores, and social media listings. These channels reward volume, not documentation, so a seller there is the hardest to verify. ![Family researches breeders beside a resting Havanese puppy](https://sagepuppies.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/ai-image-1793752370441-mn7dy9.webp) Family researches breeders beside a resting Havanese puppy ### Where to Look First Search the breed club directory for your state first, then check the OFA website for breeders who test their dogs. Local kennel clubs keep member lists too. Ask your vet for referrals, since clinics know which local programs produce healthy dogs. These four sources give you names you can actually check, rather than listings built to attract clicks. ### How to Vet Each Channel Before You Contact Anyone Before you call anyone, run the same three checks. Look up the breeder’s kennel name in the OFA database and confirm the parent dogs have real results. Read the club’s code of ethics and see whether the breeder is a current member. Then email one question that requires proof: “Can you send me the parents’ CHIC numbers?” A seller who answers with documents passes. One who answers with photos of puppies does not. ### Local Pickup and National Delivery Are Two Different Searches If you want to pick up your puppy locally, search “Havanese breeder Utah” style terms by breed and state, then apply the same OFA and club checks. Visit in person when you can. A [home visit with the mother present](https://sagepuppies.com/about/) tells you more than any listing, because you see how the dogs live. If you are shopping nationally for delivery, geography stops being a filter, so the paper trail has to work harder. Ask for a live video tour of the home, not a studio-style puppy video. Request vet records for the litter and the parents before any deposit. And treat payment requests by gift card, wire transfer, or payment app as a scam signal and walk away. Delivery can work well, but only with a seller who proves everything twice: once before the deposit and once before travel day. ## Step 3: Ask for Records and Verify Them Yourself A responsible breeder expects this request, so asking should feel routine, not awkward. Anyone selling health-tested puppies keeps a file on each parent dog, and they will share it. ### The Document Request List Ask for four things in writing: 1. **OFA or CHIC results** for both parents 2. **DNA panel reports** showing breed-specific variants 3. **Annual eye exam certificates** from a board-certified ophthalmologist 4. **Vet records for the puppy**, including the first exam and vaccines Breeders who test their dogs welcome the request. Hesitation, excuses, or screenshots without dates are signs to keep looking. ### How to Check Records Against the Registries Paperwork can be faked, so verify it yourself. Here is how to confirm OFA records in under five minutes: 1. Go to ofa.org and open the records search 2. Enter the parent’s registered name or registration number 3. Match the breed, birth year, and test dates to the paperwork 4. Confirm each result, including hips, patellas, eyes, and cardiac The OFA’s own [advanced search page](https://ofa.org/advanced-search/) lets you look up animals or litters by name, breed, and test type, so a breeder cannot invent results. CHIC numbers follow the same system, and the [CHIC program](https://ofa.org/chic-programs/) requires owners to release all results, even the bad ones. ![Person typing into laptop beside puppy health certificates](https://sagepuppies.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/ai-image-1793752405787-tvgrv.webp) Person typing into laptop beside puppy health certificates ### Reading the Records Without Over-Reading Them A CHIC number means the dog completed the required tests, not that every result is perfect. Check what was tested, when it was tested, and what the results were. DNA tests look at inherited variants, while orthopedic screening captures the hips and knees a dog actually has, so neither replaces the other. If a parent has one fair hip rating among otherwise good results, ask about it. A breeder who explains honestly is worth more than one with a spotless file you cannot verify. If you want a worked example, our guide on what puppy health records to request walks through real documents line by line. ## Step 4: Tour the Home and Meet the Parents The home tour tells you what paperwork cannot. A responsible breeder welcomes visitors, and the puppy’s living space matters as much as any health test result. ![Family meets Havanese mother and litter](https://sagepuppies.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/ai-image-1793752423425-24df0s.webp) Family meets Havanese mother and litter ### What to Look for in the Home Look for clean floors, fresh water, room to play, and puppies that seem curious rather than fearful. Ask where the litter sleeps and how often the mother is around people. Puppies raised in a busy household handle new homes far better than puppies kept in a kennel run. Strong smells, heavy mats on the mother’s coat, or a breeder steering you away from the whelping area are all reasons to walk. ### Meeting the Parents and the Puppies Meeting the mother is the most useful part of any visit. Her temperament gives you the best clue about your puppy’s future personality, since genetics shape more of it than training does. Watch how she greets strangers. A shy or nippy mother is a warning sign. Ask to see both parents’ health screening results in person, including hip and patellar evaluations and eye exams, and match each paper to the dogs in front of you. For breed-accurate CHIC requirements, see our guide to [health testing every buyer should know](https://sagepuppies.com/health-testing-for-puppies-tests-every-buyer-should-know/) . ### When a Video Tour Is the Only Option Out-of-state families often rely on video. That works well if the breeder streams live and follows your requests. Ask for an unedited walkthrough of the puppy area, close-up shots of the mother, and a real-time date shown on screen. Pre-recorded clips edited together deserve more questions. If a breeder refuses every video or visit request without a good reason, treat that as a red flag and keep looking. A good program will still let you watch the puppies interact and ask questions on the call. For planning an in-person trip, our Utah breeder visit guide covers [what to inspect safely](https://sagepuppies.com/how-to-visit-a-utah-breeder-and-inspect-puppies-safely/) . ## Step 5: Check the Contract, Guarantee, and Payment Path A health-tested puppy costs real money, so the paperwork matters as much as the testing. Most families buying a Havapoo or Cavapoo from a quality program budget $3,500 to $4,500 all in. That total usually covers: - The puppy price itself - A reservation deposit, often credited toward the price - Vaccinations, deworming, and a vet check - Delivery or pickup costs, if any Sage Puppies prices run $3,500-$4,500, and you can see how that breaks down on the [pricing and reservation page](https://sagepuppies.com/pricing-reservation/) . ### What a Clear Purchase Agreement Contains A good agreement states the puppy’s price, what the deposit covers, and when the balance is due. It lists the health guarantee terms: which conditions are covered, for how long, and what proof you must provide, usually a vet exam within a set window. It should also spell out spay or neuter expectations and the return policy if the match fails. Ask for a copy before you pay anything, and read every line. ### Safe Ways to Pay Never wire money or send gift cards to a breeder you have not verified. Those are the classic puppy deposit scam patterns the FTC warns about. Use a credit card, a traceable payment platform, or a documented bank method so you have recourse if something goes wrong. Get a written receipt that ties your payment to a specific puppy or litter. ### Application Flow Versus Deposit-First Buying Two buying models dominate. Deposit-first sellers ask for money before you know much about the puppy or the process. Application-first programs, including [Sage Puppies](https://sagepuppies.com/application/) , match families through a written application before any deposit changes hands. The second model protects you: you learn the breeder’s expectations, ask your questions, and confirm timing before money moves. If a seller pressures you to pay on the spot, walk away. A responsible breeder wants the right home, not just a fast sale. ## Step 6: Red Flags That Mean Walk Away Most bad sellers announce themselves early. The [AKC’s scam guide](https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/advice/spot-puppy-scam/) lists the clearest warning signs of a puppy scam: - **The seller refuses phone or video calls**, only email or text. - **Photos look copied** or appear on several unrelated listings. - **Price is far below** typical program pricing for the breed. - **Payment by wire transfer, gift card or crypto** is demanded. - **Delivery fees keep growing** after you have already paid. - **Paperwork never arrives**, or answers about health testing stay vague. ### Patterns That Disqualify a Seller One vague answer can be an oversight. A pattern is a decision. If a breeder dodges questions about parent dog health screening, will not share vet records for new puppies, or pressures you to pay a deposit before you see anything, stop. Other hard stops: meeting the mother is “not possible,” the same puppy photos stay posted for months, and shipping is offered to anyone, anywhere, with no application. [North Carolina’s attorney general](https://ncdoj.gov/attorney-general-jeff-jackson-watch-out-for-scams-when-buying-puppies-and-kittens/) warns that these third-party delivery and payment tricks are now among the most common pet scams. ### Green Flags Worth Looking For Good programs look boring, and that is the point. Expect a real application, named parent dogs with verifiable OFA records, an annual eye exam for small breeds on the dam and sire, and a breeder who interviews you as hard as you interview them. A home visit or honest video tour, clear contract terms, and a waitlist are all signs of a responsible breeder. Scammers rarely bother with any of this. ### When a Screening Result Is Missing but Everything Else Is Good Some gaps are fixable, so judge each one. A young parent may simply be under the age for a final hip evaluation. A short delay in CHIC paperwork happens. Ask for a written explanation and a timeline. If the answer is specific and calm, wait. If the breeder gets defensive, changes the story, or calls you difficult for asking, that reaction is the real red flag. Walk away, deposit or not. ## Common Mistakes to Avoid ### Mistakes That Cost Buyers the Most The costliest mistake is trusting a screenshot instead of a record. Ask for the parent dog health screening results, then verify them yourself on the OFA site rather than accepting a photo. A close second: sending a deposit through apps like Zelle or Venmo before you have seen a live video of the litter, a classic puppy deposit scam pattern. Scammers know that urgency clouds judgment, so any breeder pushing you to “decide today” is telling you something. Slow down. ### Small Fixes That Change the Outcome Small habits catch what big promises hide. Always ask for vet records for new puppies dated after birth, not before. Request a home visit versus video tour comparison if you are local, since an in-person walk-through shows you the mother’s temperament and living conditions directly. Check that hips and knees were screened for dysplasia and patellar luxation, not just eyes. And keep every text and email. A breeder who communicates clearly in writing will usually honor what was promised in writing. ### Where to Start If You Are Ready Now Start with one question and let the answer guide you: “Can you send me the OFA or CHIC verification link for both parents?” A responsible breeder will answer within a day and walk you through the results. An evasive answer is your answer. From there, compare pickup versus delivery options based on your location, confirm the deposit terms in writing, and only then move forward with confidence. ![Sage Puppies homepage](https://sagepuppies.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/sagepuppies.com-1781544698129.png) Sage Puppies homepage You know what real health testing looks like now. Use it, whether you adopt from [Sage Puppies](https://sagepuppies.com) or another program. Ready to meet a health-tested Havanese, Havapoo, or Cavapoo? Fill out the [application](https://sagepuppies.com/application/) and check [current availability](https://sagepuppies.com/available-puppies/) . Wisely Bred. Beautifully Loved. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Q1: How do I find sellers of health-tested puppies safely? Start with breed club directories, OFA listings, and small in-home programs with public records. Verify parent health tests yourself before any deposit. ### Q2: What does a CHIC number actually prove? It confirms a dog completed its breed’s required exams and results were published. Read the actual results, not just the number. ### Q3: How do I verify a breeder’s OFA records? Search ofa.org by the parent’s registered name, then match breed, birth year, and test dates to the paperwork they sent. ### Q4: Are DNA panels enough on their own? No. DNA tests show carrier status, while orthopedic and eye exams check the dog’s actual health. You need both. ### Q5: What payment methods are safe for a puppy deposit? Use a credit card or traceable platform with a written receipt. Avoid wire transfers, gift cards, and payment apps. ### Q6: Should I pick up my puppy or use delivery? Pickup lets you meet the mother in person. Delivery can work, but only with a live video tour and verified records first. ## Conclusion Buying health-tested puppies safely comes down to verification, not luck. Know what “health tested” really covers: DNA tests, orthopedic screens, and CHIC certification each prove something different, and you need all three documented. Find sellers through channels you can vet, like breed club directories and OFA listings, then confirm the parent dog health screening results yourself on ofa.org before any deposit. Compare home visits versus video tours based on your location, read the contract closely, and pay only through traceable methods. Watch for puppy deposit scam patterns: vague answers, copied photos, and pressure to decide fast. A responsible breeder welcomes every question and shares records without hesitation. Use this checklist, whether you adopt locally in Utah or have a puppy delivered nationwide.