Health Testing
And Why It Matters
At Rocky Mountain Irish Setters, the health and longevity of our dogs is our top priority. Responsible breeding means much more than producing beautiful puppies — it means carefully screening our breeding dogs to reduce the risk of inherited diseases and ensure our puppies have the best chance at long, healthy lives.
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Unfortunately, many genetic conditions can exist silently in breeding dogs. Without proper testing, these conditions can be unknowingly passed on to puppies. That’s why we invest heavily in comprehensive health testing before any dog is bred.
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Health testing allows us to make informed breeding decisions and protect the future of the Irish Setter breed.
OFA stands for Orthopedic Foundation for Animals
OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) is the gold standard registry for canine health testing. Through OFA, veterinary specialists evaluate important health screenings such as hips, elbows, thyroid, and eye exams. Responsible breeders use this information to carefully select breeding pairs and help ensure healthier puppies for future families.
What OFA does
OFA helps improve the health of dog breeds by:
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✔ Evaluating hip and elbow X-rays for dysplasia
✔ Recording thyroid, cardiac, eye, and other health tests
✔ Maintaining a public registry so buyers and breeders can verify results
✔ Supporting responsible breeding practices
When a breeder says their dog is OFA certified, it means the dog has been evaluated by independent veterinary specialists and the results are recorded in the OFA database.
Health Testing Specific to Irish Setters
Below are the primary health screenings recommended for Irish Setters
Hip dysplasia is a hereditary condition where the hip joint develops improperly and can lead to arthritis and pain.
Elbow dysplasia can cause lameness and long-term joint damage.​
PennHIP is one of the most advanced screening methods available for detecting the risk of hip dysplasia. This test measures hip joint laxity and helps breeders select dogs with the strongest, healthiest hip structure possible.
Thyroid dysfunction can affect metabolism, energy levels, coat condition, and overall health.​
CAER (Companion Animal Eye Registry) Eye Examination from a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist to screen for hereditary eye conditions.
Embark Genetic DNA testing, which screens for over 200 genetic health conditions. This allows us to identify carriers of specific genetic diseases — including Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) — and ensure we never produce affected puppies.
Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) program requires breeders to complete specific health screenings recommended by the breed club. When a dog has completed all required health tests and the results are publicly recorded with OFA, the dog receives a CHIC number.
Health Test Transparency
We are happy to provide copies of our dogs’ health testing results and OFA certifications to our puppy families. We believe in full transparency and are always happy to answer questions about our breeding program.
