What does "health-tested" really mean when it comes to buying a puppy?

Imagine scrolling through breeders online and spotting a “health-tested” badge. Your heart leaps. Does this mean the puppy will be healthy for life? Not exactly.

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Health testing is a helpful step, but it's not a guarantee. Understanding what it involves, and where it falls short, can save you frustration, expense, and heartbreak down the line.

“Health-tested” refers to screening breeding dogs — both the sire and the dam — for common heritable conditions in that breed. Common tests include:

• hip scoring

• elbow grading

• eye exams

• DNA testing for recessive conditions

These tests are performed by breeders in collaboration with veterinarians or genetic labs to reduce the risk of passing on diseases.

Even when both parents are fully tested, some conditions can still appear in puppies. Some diseases are hard to detect, others involve multiple genes, and new mutations can occur. Health testing reduces risk but does not eliminate it.

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Not all health testing is equal. Organizations like Good Dog classify testing into tiers such as “Good,” “Great,” or “Excellent,” depending on how many tests are done, how transparent the results are, and whether the breeder participates in research.

When evaluating a breeder, check that all recommended tests for the breed have been completed and that results are verified or publicly available. Transparency is just as important as testing itself.

Designer Breeds and Health Testing: What Buyers Should Know

Designer breeds, like Labradoodles, should follow the same principles as purebreds. Both parent breeds must be screened for breed-specific conditions before breeding. Learn more about AKC Health Testing Requirements.

For example:

• Labrador: hips, elbows, eyes, progressive retinal atrophy

• Poodle: hips, elbows, eyes, von Willebrand’s disease

Even crossing two breeds doesn't automatically prevent genetic problems. A health-tested doodle is only as reliable as the testing of its parents. Buyers can trust a litter when the breeder provides full documentation and transparent results.

Not every genetic disorder has a test yet, and “health-tested clear” parents don't guarantee problem-free puppies. Environmental factors, new mutations, and complex gene interactions all play a role. Over-reliance on “clear” dogs can also reduce genetic diversity, which creates other risks.

Health testing is necessary but not sufficient for ethical breeding. Breeders must also consider temperament, environment, and long-term breed health.

Why “health-tested” isn't a guarantee:

• Some diseases aren't testable.

• Test results can expire or be falsified.

• It only applies to tested conditions.

Read more about testing limits on the Institute of Canine Biology blog.

If this is all overwhelming, don't panic! Here are some questions you can ask a breeder before you commit:

• Which breed-specific health tests do you perform?

• Can you provide documented results for both sire and dam? When were they done?

• Are results publicly registered (OFA, CHIC etc.)?

• How do you manage genetic diversity and limit inbreeding?

• How many litters do you produce, and how often?

• What health guarantees do you offer for the puppies?

• Can you provide references from previous buyers?

A bonus question: How do you plan litters to improve the long-term health of the breed?

When you see “health-tested”, remember it's a positive sign, but it's not the end of the conversation. It should spark questions, not blind faith. Use a combination of testing, transparency, and breeding strategy to evaluate breeders. Puppies live 10–15+ years, so clarity is crucial.

Even with health-tested parents, ongoing care is essential: good nutrition, vet visits, and proper socialization will help your puppy thrive.

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