Why Health Testing Matters: OFA Certification at Dacus Doodles

At Dacus Doodles, we believe that intentional breeding starts with healthy parents—because the foundation of a happy, well-rounded Goldendoodle begins long before they’re born. One of the ways we ensure our puppies have the best start in life is by completing OFA health testing on all of our breeding dogs.

What Is OFA?

The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) provides certification for various health clearances, helping breeders assess and reduce the risk of inherited conditions in dogs. At Dacus Doodles, we use OFA to evaluate the following areas on all potential parents:

• Hips

• Elbows

• Patellas (knees)

• Eyes (via CAER by a board-certified ophthalmologist)

• Heart (via a board-certified cardiologist)

These evaluations help us ensure that our breeding dogs are physically sound and free of genetic issues that could be passed on to puppies.

A Big Day for Saffy

This week, our sweet Saffy, one of our upcoming mamas, visited Beard Navasota Veterinary Hospital for her OFA hip and elbow X-rays. She did absolutely amazing! We’re so proud of her and excited to continue the process of health testing as we prepare her to someday become a wonderful mama.

We’ve trusted Beard Navasota for over 20 years, and their team of experienced vets continues to provide excellent care to our dogs.

Why This Matters to You

As a Gold Level Breeder with GANA (Goldendoodle Association of North America), we are required to submit all passing OFA and health results. This ensures we meet the highest standards of responsible breeding and transparency.

When you choose a Dacus Doodles puppy, you're not just getting a cute face—you’re getting a puppy who has been thoughtfully and responsibly bred from the very beginning.

What This Means for Our Puppies

• Fewer health risks down the road

• Stronger genetics passed on to each litter

• Peace of mind for you as a future puppy parent

We know that adding a dog to your family is a big decision, and we take our role in that journey very seriously.

Want to Learn More?

If you're curious about our breeding practices, health testing, or available puppies, we’d love to chat with you. You can also view more about our program and puppy availability right here on our website.

Because healthy puppies don’t happen by accident—they’re the result of love, science, and intentional care every step of the way.