Why is CHIC important for your dog?

A dog should have a CHIC (Canine Health Information Center) number because it signifies that the dog has undergone recommended health testing for its breed and that the results have been made publicly available. This contributes to healthier breeding practices and provides valuable information for potential puppy buyers and researchers. 

Here's why a CHIC number is beneficial:

• Transparency and Informed Breeding:
  The CHIC program, a collaboration between the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) and the AKC Canine Health Foundation (AKC CHF), provides a centralized database for health information. This transparency allows breeders to make more informed decisions about breeding, potentially reducing the incidence of inherited diseases in future generations. 
• Public Access to Health Information:
  CHIC numbers are issued when a dog's health test results are submitted to the OFA and the owner agrees to make them publicly available. This allows potential puppy buyers to easily access information about the health of a dog's parents and make more informed decisions. 
• Commitment to Health:
  While a CHIC number doesn't guarantee a dog is perfectly healthy, it indicates that the dog's owner is committed to health testing and transparency. It shows a willingness to share both positive and negative test results, contributing to a more open and informative database. 
• Support for Research:
  The CHIC database also serves as a valuable resource for researchers studying canine health. The information gathered through CHIC helps advance scientific understanding of inherited diseases and potentially lead to new diagnostic tools and treatments. 
• Verification:
  The CHIC number can be verified on the OFA website, providing assurance that the dog has undergone the recommended breed-specific testing