Health Testing
Any dog who is part of a breeding program should have passed the required health testing for the breed prior to breeding. For Siberian Huskies, the minimum required health tests are for Eyes (against hereditary disorders such as cataracts, corneal dystrophy, progressive retinal atrophy etc) and Hips (for hip dysplasia). Some breeders also perform additional health tests such as elbows and thyroid. If you are looking to purchase a Siberian Husky puppy, please insist on seeing at least a CERF or SHOR eye certificate and an OFA hip certificate. Health testing is NOT just for show dogs; anyone who is breeding dogs should be health testing their breeding stock, whether they show their dogs or not, in order to ensure that any puppies produced for show OR pet have the highest liklihood of being free of genetic defects which could significantly reduce the dog or puppy's quality of life. Health testing is also important in order to maintain the genetic health of the breed so that future generations of Siberian Huskies will remain as healthy as possible.
At Stormcall, all of our breeding stock is certified clear of hereditary health defects prior to breeding. For an explanation of the health tests and the numbers listed for each of our breeding animals, please see below:
CERF- Canine Eye Registry Foundation
A Canine Opthalmologist looks at the animal's eyes and checks for hereditary defects such as cataracts, corneal dystrophy, progressive retinal atrophy etc. He marks the results of his findings on a CERF form. This form can then be sent in to CERF with a very small fee and if the results allow the dog to be bred (no hereditary issues), they will issue a CERF number. Once the results have been sent in, a certificate is issued with the CERF number. If the dog has also had a hip x-ray sent in to OFA, the CERF results will eventually appear online at www.offa.org. ** CERF exams should be done ANNUALLY as a dog's eyes can change as it ages, and some disorders show up later in life. If the dog is to be used in a breeding program, eye exams should be repeated annually, and should be done within a year of the breeding in order to be considered valid.
SHOR- Siberian Husky Ophthalmic Registry
SHOR is a low-cost alternative to CERF for the registration of Siberians who have been checked clear of inheritable eye disease by an ACVO animal eye specialist veterinarian. Upon receipt of a clear ACVO exam report form for a Siberian Husky, the dog will be issued a SHOR number. This number may be used in advertising to indicate unaffected eyes. If the dog has also had a hip x-ray sent in to OFA, the CERF results will eventually appear online at www.offa.org. Just like with CERF, any breeding dog should have its eye exam repeated annually, and should have an exam within a year of any breeding in order for the results to be considered valid.
OFA- Orthopedic Foundation for Animals
The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals issues results on hip x-rays and thyroid tests. For Siberians, a hip x-ray should be taken after 2 years of age by a regular veterinarian and submitted to OFA. OFA will not provide a proper rating until after the dog has reached 2 years of age. Hips can be rated Excellent, Good or Fair for non-dysplastic hips, and Mildly, Moderately and Severely Dysplastic for Dysplastic hips. Dysplastic hips should never be bred. Hip x-rays need only be done and submitted for a rating once, after the animal turns 2 years of age. For this reason, no dog should be bred before the age of 2 and before hip x-rays have been performed and evaluated. OFA results can be viewed online at www.offa.org.
CHIC- Canine Health Information Centre
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. CHIC results can be viewed at www.caninehealthinfo.org. A CHIC number and certificate is issued automatically when all the required health testing for the breed is completed (CERF or SHOR eye exams and OFA Hips for Siberian Huskies).
At Stormcall, all of our breeding stock is certified clear of hereditary health defects prior to breeding. For an explanation of the health tests and the numbers listed for each of our breeding animals, please see below:
CERF- Canine Eye Registry Foundation
A Canine Opthalmologist looks at the animal's eyes and checks for hereditary defects such as cataracts, corneal dystrophy, progressive retinal atrophy etc. He marks the results of his findings on a CERF form. This form can then be sent in to CERF with a very small fee and if the results allow the dog to be bred (no hereditary issues), they will issue a CERF number. Once the results have been sent in, a certificate is issued with the CERF number. If the dog has also had a hip x-ray sent in to OFA, the CERF results will eventually appear online at www.offa.org. ** CERF exams should be done ANNUALLY as a dog's eyes can change as it ages, and some disorders show up later in life. If the dog is to be used in a breeding program, eye exams should be repeated annually, and should be done within a year of the breeding in order to be considered valid.
SHOR- Siberian Husky Ophthalmic Registry
SHOR is a low-cost alternative to CERF for the registration of Siberians who have been checked clear of inheritable eye disease by an ACVO animal eye specialist veterinarian. Upon receipt of a clear ACVO exam report form for a Siberian Husky, the dog will be issued a SHOR number. This number may be used in advertising to indicate unaffected eyes. If the dog has also had a hip x-ray sent in to OFA, the CERF results will eventually appear online at www.offa.org. Just like with CERF, any breeding dog should have its eye exam repeated annually, and should have an exam within a year of any breeding in order for the results to be considered valid.
OFA- Orthopedic Foundation for Animals
The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals issues results on hip x-rays and thyroid tests. For Siberians, a hip x-ray should be taken after 2 years of age by a regular veterinarian and submitted to OFA. OFA will not provide a proper rating until after the dog has reached 2 years of age. Hips can be rated Excellent, Good or Fair for non-dysplastic hips, and Mildly, Moderately and Severely Dysplastic for Dysplastic hips. Dysplastic hips should never be bred. Hip x-rays need only be done and submitted for a rating once, after the animal turns 2 years of age. For this reason, no dog should be bred before the age of 2 and before hip x-rays have been performed and evaluated. OFA results can be viewed online at www.offa.org.
CHIC- Canine Health Information Centre
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. CHIC results can be viewed at www.caninehealthinfo.org. A CHIC number and certificate is issued automatically when all the required health testing for the breed is completed (CERF or SHOR eye exams and OFA Hips for Siberian Huskies).