Health Testing
Every Paradise Tollers breeding dog is health tested before being bred
Health testing is one of the most important things a responsible breeder can do. We follow the health testing recommendations of the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Club (USA) and only breed dogs that have completed the recommended evaluations.
Physical Examinations
Hip Dysplasia
Hips are evaluated for dysplasia, a malformation of the hip joint that can cause pain and arthritis. Accepted evaluations include OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), OVC (Ontario Veterinary College), or PennHIP.
Elbows
Elbow x-rays screen for elbow dysplasia, a developmental condition affecting the elbow joint.
Eyes — CAER Exam
Annual eye exams performed by a board-certified ACVO ophthalmologist screen for heritable eye conditions. Required for CHIC certification.
Cardiac
Cardiac evaluation by a cardiologist or via OFA screens for inherited heart conditions.
DNA Tests Available for Tollers
The following DNA tests are available for Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers. DNA testing allows breeders to make informed pairings and avoid producing affected puppies.
- Cardiac Laminopathy (CLAM)
- Cerebellar Degeneration-Myositis Complex (CDMC)
- Chondrodystrophy (CDDY) — formerly chondrodysplasia or skeletal dysplasia
- Cleft Lip/Palate and Syndactyly (CLPS)
- Cleft Palate (CP1)
- Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA)
- Degenerative Myelopathy (DM)
- Degenerative Encephalopathy (DE)
- Dilute (D locus/blue) or Buff
- Juvenile Addison’s Disease (JADD)
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy (prcd-PRA)
CHIC Certification
The NSDTRC (USA) participates in the AKC Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) program. Current CHIC requirements for Tollers are hip dysplasia evaluation (OFA, OVC, or PennHIP), eye examination by a board-certified ACVO ophthalmologist, and Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA testing. CHIC testing requirements are currently under review by the NSDTRC (USA) Health and Genetics Committee.
View Our Dogs’ Health Results
Full health testing results and pedigrees for each of our dogs are publicly available on Breed Archive. You can find individual links on each dog’s page under Our Dogs.