Health testing is the single most important thing that separates a responsible Golden Retriever breeder from a backyard operation. If you’re researching Golden Retriever puppies in Oregon, understanding what these tests mean will help you choose a breeder whose dogs are genuinely set up for a long, healthy life. Here’s a plain-English guide to each clearance — and how you can verify them yourself.

The four core OFA clearances

The Golden Retriever Club of America recommends four core health screenings for every breeding dog. Reputable breeders complete all four before a dog is ever bred:

Hips (OFA or PennHIP). A radiograph is evaluated for hip dysplasia — the most common inherited orthopedic disease in the breed. Dogs are graded Excellent, Good, or Fair to pass.
Elbows (OFA). A separate X-ray screens for elbow dysplasia, which can cause lameness and early arthritis.
Heart (cardiac clearance). A veterinary cardiologist checks for subvalvular aortic stenosis (SAS) and other congenital heart defects known in Goldens.
Eyes (annual ophthalmologist exam). A board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist screens for hereditary cataracts, PRA, and other conditions. Crucially, eyes must be re-checked every year — a one-time clearance isn’t enough.

Genetic (DNA) testing

Beyond the OFA core, DNA panels screen for inherited disorders such as prcd-PRA, PRA1/PRA2, Ichthyosis, and Degenerative Myelopathy (DM). A responsible breeder uses these results to avoid ever pairing two carriers of the same condition, so puppies aren’t born affected. See how we apply this on our health testing page.

How to verify a breeder’s health testing

Here’s the part most buyers don’t know: OFA results are public. You can look up any dog’s clearances for free at ofa.org by the dog’s registered name. A trustworthy breeder will gladly give you the registered names of both parents so you can verify hips, elbows, heart, and eyes yourself. If a breeder won’t share names or results, treat that as a red flag.

Why it’s worth it

Testing doesn’t guarantee a puppy will never get sick, but it dramatically stacks the odds in your favor and reflects a breeder investing in the breed’s future rather than just selling puppies. For families choosing a Golden to grow up with children — or a prospect for therapy or service work — that predictability is everything.

At Nextgen Goldens in Boring, Oregon, every parent dog is fully health-tested before breeding. Join our puppy waitlist or contact us with any questions — we’re happy to share our clearances.