Health Registries (CHIC)
History of the OESCA Open Health Registry
In July 2006, the OESCA Board voted to establish an Old English Sheepdog Registry with CHIC, the Canine Health Information Center. In June 2007, the OESCA membership made history with a vote to establish a Voluntary Open CA Registry. These milestones for our breed exemplify the commitment of breeders and owners to the health and welfare of Old English Sheepdogs. A health registry was developed which the HRC gave the name of the OESCA Open Health Registry with the goal of including other diseases besides CA as the need arose. In 2012 the genetic marker for CA was found and an Open CA Registry was no longer needed. It was now possible to have your dog's DNA tested for carrier, clear, or affected status and register the results with OFA.
Since its inception, the decision was made to not duplicate the health registries in place that we utilize in the OESCA Open Health Registry. We encourage breeders and owners to use the OFA (www.offa.org) and the CHIC registry www.caninehealthinfo.org) to record health data on their dogs because of the professionalism, continuity, and accuracy of these organizations.
Canine Health Information Center (CHIC)
Useful Links
How YOU can...
Register your dog(s)
Submit your dogs DNA
The Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) was developed by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) and the AKC Canine Health Foundation as a database encouraging health testing and listing of multiple test results as a way to provide owners, breeders and researchers with information essential to the health of our dogs.
To help dogs live longer and healthier lives, OES owners and breeders support health testing and registration as health measures for each of their dogs; and, simultaneously, commit to providing reliable breed data for research in diagnostic testing, treatments and ultimately cures for diseases. To achieve these goals, OESCA encourages members to participate in two major programs, the CHIC Registry and the CHIC DNA Blood Repository.
CHIC Registry
OESCA has established the below breed requirements for an OES to receive a CHIC number.
OESCA requires the following 4 health tests for a CHIC certification:
- Hip Dysplasia (One of the following)
• OFA Evaluation
• PennHIP Evaluation - Eye Examination by a boarded ACVO Ophthalmologist
Recommend each year until 5, thereafter every 2 years Results registered with OFA - Autoimmune thyroiditis
OFA evaluation from an approved laboratory It is recommended that the test be repeated annually up to 5 years of age, and every 2 years thereafter. - EIC (Exercise Induced Collapse)
DNA based test from an approved laboratory (Required test as of 8/1/16)
OESCA recommends the following optional CHIC health tests:
- Cardiac Evaluation (Optional)
• Congenital Cardiac Exam with exam by cardiologist
• Advanced Cardiac Exam - Congenital Deafness (Optional)
OFA evaluation based on BAER test - Multiple Drug Sensitivity (Optional)
DNA based MDR1 test results from an approved lab. First Generation Offspring of tested dogs eligible for Clear By Parentage - Cerebellar Degeneration (Optional)
Cerebellar Degeneration - NC State DNA test with the test results registered with the OFA. First Generation Offspring of tested dogs eligible for Clear By Parentage - Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia (PCD) (Optional)
Each dog will be assigned a CHIC number when tests are completed and reported. The CHIC number is not an indication of normal test results. However, the CHIC Registry does report the actual test results, including clearances and additional health data, for each dog and the dog's close relatives. Owners of CHIC dogs are encouraged to maintain and update a dog's CHIC health data. OES breed requirement updates include: Hip screening to be completed no earlier than at 2 years of age with OFA or as permitted by other accredited testing methods; CERF or OFA's ERC testing is required every year until age 5, thereafter every 2 years; and thyroid testing is required annually until the age of 5 and then every 2 years thereafter. In addition to the four required tests, OESCA recommends testing and reporting cardiac screening, BAER (hearing) testing, and DNA tests for Multiple Drug Sensitivity (MDR1 mutation), Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia (PCD), and Cerebellar Degeneration. Note: These tests are recommendations only and not required to receive a dog's CHIC number. Additional CHIC information, including registration forms, can be located HERE.
CHIC DNA (Blood) Repository
CHIC has established a DNA repository for breed clubs as a way for owners to maintain a safe place to indefinitely store DNA from their dogs and, at the same time, provide a large pool of accessible DNA when researching health problems related to a breed. The advantage of the pool is that it provides generations of genetic material and if a test becomes available, it is often possible to test dogs whose DNA is in the repository. This DNA storage gives us a resource to help maintain the health and well being of our breed.
Currently, close to 1000 OES have stored DNA in the breed's repository. Members of OESCA are committed to enlarging the repository with DNA collections from current and future generations of OES.
For additional information, including DNA submissions, go to: https://www.ofa.org/about/dna-repository
NOTE: The goals for the OESCA Health Registry have changed and will continue to change over the years as more DNA tests become available for health problems in the Old English Sheepdog. Our constant goal is to encourage ALL Old English Sheepdog breeders and owners to participate in health registries and databases for the reduction and prevention of disease by release of ALL abnormal and normal test results.
The Health and Research Committee 2013
