CHIC Jedi

Who you calling CHIC? I'm a dude!

The dictionary may define chic as "stylish or elegant." But this is a dog blog, so we're talking about the Canine Health Information Center (CHIC). This is a centralized database sponsored by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) to keep track of canine health issues and test results.

Most (but not all) breeds are eligible for CHIC certification. CHIC works with a breed's parent club to determine which health concerns are to be followed. For example, a Chihuahua requires an eye exam by a boarded ACVO ophthalmologist, a cardiac evaluation and an OFA patellar luxation exam. Apparently those are concerns that Chihuahua enthusiasts have and would like to breed out of their dogs. German shepherds enthusiasts have different concerns. Our dogs require OFA hip and elbow exams plus the GSDCA temperament test. Many breeds have optional tests as well. A list of the required/suggested tests for all participating breeds can be found here.

In addition to the breed specific requirements, all dogs must be permanently identified via microchip or tattoo in order to qualify for a CHIC number.

Jedi met the necessary GSD requirements and received his CHIC registration in the mail. See:

A dog doesn't have to pass a test or receive a certain score to be registered. According to the website:

CHIC is not about normalcy. CHIC is meant to encourage health testing and sharing of all results, normal and abnormal, so that more informed breeding decisions can be made in an overall effort to reduce the incidence of genetic disease and improve canine health.

However, this is a tool that you -- a potential puppy buyer -- can use to make an informed decision. I suggest you look up a puppy's parents (and grandparents) before making a decision. It's easy and free to use. Want to try?

• Click here to access the advanced search.
• Type in Jedi's AKC registration number -- DN34854902. (BTW, you should always be able to get the AKC registration numbers of your potential puppy's parents. If the breeder is not forthcoming find another breeder.)
• See Jedi's registered name in gold? Click on it.
• Now you see the info for Jedi's parents and every sibling/half sibling that has been tested. And you can click on any one of those dogs to see even more.

WARNING: If you're a dog nerd like me, you can spend hours clicking on dog names. Have fun! I'll catch you later, -- K