The Canine HealthCheck® was developed as a genetic screen, appropriate for all dogs, regardless of age, sex or breed. Any dog, whether they are a mixed breed, or a purebred dog, may benefit from this genetic screen. Intended as a guide to your dog's genetic health, breeders may use the Canine HealthCheck to screen their dog prior to breeding, while other breeders may use the more rigorous genetic testing through Paw Print Genetics. Therefore, it is important to understand the differences between the genetic testing you would receive through Paw Print Genetics and the genetic screen that you will receive with the Canine HealthCheck. Tests ordered through Paw Print Genetics will be investigated twice, using two independent methods. Although the Canine HealthCheck is also performed in the Paw Print Genetics laboratory, each disease region is investigated only once, using one method. In both cases, results are reviewed by both a geneticist and a veterinarian. It is the responsibility of the customer to understand the testing services prior to ordering. Customers with questions should contact the laboratory at AskUs@pawprintgenetics.com or info@caninehealthcheck.com. Customers should also review the tests included on the Canine HealthCheck, as not all breed-specific tests offered by Paw Print Genetics are included in the Canine HealthCheck screen. In most cases, results can be submitted to breed registries and the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA). Please check with your breed registry or check with the OFA prior to ordering tests through either the Canine HealthCheck or Paw Print Genetics to confirm that they accept results from our laboratory before ordering from us.

The Canine HealthCheck is a genetic screen of more than 325 genetic changes that determines diseases and traits in dogs. As such, this genetic screen tests your dog one time for each of the disease and traits included. This is not a diagnostic test. Diagnostic testing, in which your dog is tested twice for each mutation ordered, can be obtained from Paw Print Genetics. For any abnormal result (carrier or at-risk), or any result that concerns you that was identified by the Canine HealthCheck, you could consider a follow-up test to confirm the finding. In addition, not every mutation known in dogs is included on the Canine HealthCheck. If your dog is symptomatic, consult with your veterinarian on appropriate DNA testing. Normal results do not exclude inherited mutations not tested in these or other genes that may cause medical problems or may be passed on to offspring. Diagnostic testing is available from Paw Print Genetics for Canine HealthCheck customers. In most cases, DNA from Canine HealthCheck testing will already be available to perform the follow-up tests at Paw Print Genetics. In addition, this genetic screen may need to be supplemented with additional testing through Paw Print Genetics because some breed-specific tests may not be included on the Canine HealthCheck. It is the responsibility of the customer to check the tests offered through the Canine HealthCheck to confirm that any desired breed-specific disease or trait tests are included.

The Canine HealthCheck was developed at Paw Print Genetics, where its performance was also determined. Unique variations in the genetic code of some individuals may exist and cause certain regions of the genome to not perform properly in this test. In addition, suboptimal sampling of the dog’s cheek cells could also result in poor sample performance due to inadequate cell counts, bacterial and fungal growth, or the presence of other test inhibitors. An acceptable level of “No Result” assays at any particular genomic location has been determined by Paw Print Genetics. A dog's testing with at least 230 results are determined to be acceptable and reportable. Customers with an unacceptable level of no reportable results will be contacted for a new sample.

Determinants of coat colors and traits are complex. Many of these genes are known to act in pathways and therefore interact with each other. In addition, not all of the genetic factors that contribute to a dog's coat color and traits are known. Because of the complexities in gene-gene interactions, the coat colors and traits shown in the Canine HealthCheck results for your dog may vary from your dog's actual appearance. Individual differences in genes throughout the canine genome, not tested in this assay, may also affect the final coat color or traits seen in your dog.