Glossary /
OFA
Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, a US nonprofit that certifies dogs for genetic health conditions including hip and elbow dysplasia.
In more detail
OFA certification is a standard premium buyers expect. Hips, elbows, heart, eyes, and thyroid are common OFA evaluations for breeding dogs. Breeders who display OFA numbers on their dog profiles, with schema markup, signal professionalism and let buyers verify directly on the OFA database.
What OFA certification tells a buyer
OFA evaluations give a buyer something concrete: independent certification that a breeding dog was screened for specific genetic conditions, most commonly hip and elbow dysplasia, and often heart, eyes, and thyroid as well. For breeds prone to orthopedic problems, a buyer who knows the breed will look for these results, because they are evidence that the breeder is making mating decisions with health in mind rather than by luck.
Make OFA numbers verifiable on your site
OFA results are publicly verifiable in the OFA database, which is exactly why displaying the numbers on your dog profiles is so credible: a serious buyer can check them. Putting the OFA number on the dog's page, and marking it up with schema, signals professionalism, removes a buyer's doubt, and gives AI systems a concrete fact to cite about your program. A breeder who tests but hides the numbers is leaving that trust on the table.
Common questions
Which OFA tests do breeders usually do?
It varies by breed, but hips and elbows are the most common, with heart, eyes, and thyroid added depending on the breed's known risks. The right panel is the one appropriate to your breed.
Can buyers verify my OFA results?
Yes, OFA maintains a public database, which is part of what makes displaying your OFA numbers so credible. Showing them invites the buyer to verify, which builds trust.