PAW CERTIFICATION PROGRAM
The ALAA believes knowledge is power and by sharing knowledge we can advance the health of the Labradoodle and Australian Labradoodle breeds.
Our top-notch breeding practices and extensive and verified database will facilitate the search for a suitable dogs for a breeding program. Transparency of pedigree allows avoiding inbreeding or excessive line breeding, providing confidence in the health of future litters.
The high standard held in a certified ALAA pedigree ensures both the integrity of the breed and the breeder. This standard broadens the lines available for use, while keeping the health of the breed the top priority.
In joining the ALAA, breeders connected with like minded Labradoodle and Australian Labradoodle breeders of integrity, access to a plethora of the breeds’ health information both online and in person at educational events, and gain the opportunity for meaningful impact on the breeds future by joining a volunteer team or becoming the ALAA board member.
Minimum Health Testing Required for Membership
Hip Testing
The ALAA accepts hip testing from OFA, PennHIP and BVA.
Per the OFA website:
“Frequently, breeders want early knowledge of the hip status on puppies in a given litter. Preliminary hip evaluations may be as valuable to the owner or breeder as the final OFA evaluation. This allows early selection of dogs for show/performance/breeding prospects and dogs best suited for pet homes.
The OFA accepts preliminary consultation radiographs on puppies as young as 4 months of age to evaluate hip conformation. If the dog is found to be dysplastic at an early age, the economic loss from the cost of training, handling, showing, and so forth can be minimized and the emotional loss reduced. These preliminary radiographs are read by the OFA staff veterinary radiologist and are not sent to the outside consulting radiologists. The regular OFA hip grading scheme (excellent, good, fair, etc.) is used to report preliminary cases.”
Note: OFA requirements for prelims are from 4 calendar months to 23 calendar months. Finals are 24 calendar months and older.
Per the AIS PennHIP website:
“AIS PennHIP testing is accurate in puppies as young as 16 weeks of age. It gives an estimate of the risk for painful osteoarthritis (OA) and of canine hip dysplasia (CHD) later in life. With this information, preventive and palliative strategies can be recommended by the PennHIP-trained veterinarian.”
Note: PennHIP considers the top 40% of the breed without degenerative joint disease appropriate for breeding.
ALAA will accept a 0.6 or better at any age.
Per the BVA website:
BVA requires before having your dog screened for hip dysplasia, please make sure you can meet the following requirements:
- The dog must be at least 1 year old.
- The dog must be permanently and uniquely identified by a microchip.
- If applicable, the dog’s Kennel Club registration certificate and any related transfer certificates must be available so that the details can be printed on the X-rays.
Elbow Testing
OFA, BVA, AVA, Elbows normal after 4 months of age.
DNA Profile Requirement
As of January 1st, 2015, any intact dog/puppy registered and kept for breeding, will be required to have a DNA Profile on file before they are used for breeding. This DNA Profile is required to be from PawPrint Genetics.
Note: Results are available 3-4 weeks from lab receipt of samples.
In addition, if a breeder has submitted DNA parentage identification profiles on all breeding dogs in their program, they may place the following statement on their website: “Our breeding dogs are ALAA DNA Profiled. All of our breeding dogs have been DNA’d and their DNA profiles have been submitted to the ALAA. This has been done to protect the buyer and support parentage identification. We are proud to be an ALAA/DNA breeder.”
What health testing does the ALAA recommend, but not require, for basic breeder membership?
For Gold Paw Reward: Eye disease (every 18 months) – eye exam by a Board Certified Ophthalmologist. The form, filled out by the Ophthalmologist, must be submitted to OFA for an official certificate. Eye Disease Option List.
Patella Luxation, OFA report- veterinary.
Thyroid panel including Free T4, cTSH, and TgAA – Blood test, OFA report or Dr. Dodd’s.
vWd – all DNA testing labs that the OFA accepts.
Cardiac, OFA report – veterinary exam.
PRA (progressive retinal atrophy) – all DNA testing labs that the OFA accepts.
EIC (exercise induced collapse) – all DNA testing labs that the OFA accepts.
Notes
If you wish to participate in the Silver or Gold Paw Reward Program, send copies of all other health testing. These include eye exam by a certified Opthamologist, EIC and PRA testing or status via parent dog test reports. The Silver Paw requires a ACVO eye exam on every breeding dog every 18 months in addition to the Hip and Elbow testing. The Gold Paw requires the eye exam every 18 months on every breeding dog, and EIC and PRA testing or copies of parent dog testing for EIC and PRA, in addition to the Hip and Elbow testing.
All testing is to be sent to registrar@alaa-labradoodles.com.
In an effort to have the opportunity to earn CHIC status with our breeding dogs through OFA, the board has voted to expand and accept all DNA testing labs that the OFA accepts. You can find accepted labs here: Orthopedic Foundation for Animals. Additionally, the board has voted to not accept only Wallace Hip/Elbow testing. If a breeder would like to have Wallace perform Hip/Elbow evaluations, they must also have OFA or PennHip scores as well. Acceptable score levels have not changed. Again, this is all in preparation for the opportunity to earn CHIC status through OFA. You can read more about the CHIC program here. These changes will be effective May 1, 2018.
ALAA Cleared By Parentage Graphic.
Hip Testing
OFA Excellent, Good, Fair and a Prelim or Final is acceptable OFA Website.
PennHip .60 or better at any age PennHip Website.
BVA up to 18.
Elbow Testing
OFA, BVA, AVA, Elbows normal after 4 months of age.
DNA Profile Requirement
As of January 1st, 2015, any intact dog/puppy registered and kept for breeding, will be required to have a DNA Profile on file before they are used for breeding. This DNA Profile is required to be from PawPrint Genetics.
Note: Results are available 3-4 weeks from lab receipt of samples.
In addition, if a breeder has submitted DNA parentage identification profiles on all breeding dogs in their program, they may place the following statement on their website: “Our breeding dogs are ALAA DNA Profiled. All of our breeding dogs have been DNA’d and their DNA profiles have been submitted to the ALAA. This has been done to protect the buyer and support parentage identification. We are proud to be an ALAA/DNA breeder.”
What health testing does the ALAA recommend, but not require, for basic breeder membership?
Eye disease (every 18 months) – eye exam by a Board Certified Ophthalmologist. The form, filled out by the Ophthalmologist, must be submitted to OFA for an official certificate. Eye Disease Option List.
Patella Luxation, OFA report- veterinary.
Thyroid panel including Free T4, cTSH, and TgAA – Blood test, OFA report or Dr. Dodd’s.
vWd – all DNA testing labs that the OFA accepts.
Cardiac, OFA report – veterinary exam.
PRA (progressive retinal atrophy) – all DNA testing labs that the OFA accepts.
EIC (exercise induced collapse) – all DNA testing labs that the OFA accepts.
Notes
If you wish to participate in the Silver or Gold Paw Reward Program, send copies of all other health testing. These include eye exam by a certified Opthamologist, EIC and PRA testing or status via parent dog test reports. The Silver Paw requires a ACVO eye exam on every breeding dog every 18 months in addition to the Hip and Elbow testing. The Gold Paw requires the eye exam every 18 months on every breeding dog, and EIC and PRA testing or copies of parent dog testing for EIC and PRA, in addition to the Hip and Elbow testing.
All testing is to be sent to registrar@alaa-labradoodles.com.
In an effort to have the opportunity to earn CHIC status with our breeding dogs through OFA, the board has voted to expand and accept all DNA testing labs that the OFA accepts. You can find accepted labs here: Orthopedic Foundation for Animals. Additionally, the board has voted to not accept only Wallace Hip/Elbow testing. If a breeder would like to have Wallace perform Hip/Elbow evaluations, they must also have OFA or PennHip scores as well. Acceptable score levels have not changed. Again, this is all in preparation for the opportunity to earn CHIC status through OFA. You can read more about the CHIC program here. These changes will be effective May 1, 2018.
The path to an ALAA pedigree certification
is below as a “100% traceable” pedigree.
Paw Reward Program
All ALAA certified breeders agree to adhere to our standard for health testing. For the breeders who wish to go above and beyond this, your commitment is recognized in being awarded an ALAA Gold Paw or ALAA Silver Paw.
Rules & Regulations for the Paw Program
