Maple Tree Kennel

Be the person your dog thinks you are!

OFA & CERF

                                                  What is OFA?                                                   

 Forty Years of Dedication to the Advancement of Canine Health

Founded and originally incorporated as a private not for profit foundation in 1966, this year the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) celebrates its 40th anniversary. 

Credit for the formation of the OFA is generally attributed to John M. Olin, well known inventor, industrialist, philanthropist, conservationist, and sportsman. John Olin was an avid sportsman, hunter, and field trial participant. When hip dysplasia began to impact the performance of Olin’s dogs, he organized an initial meeting with representatives of the veterinary community, the Golden Retriever Club of America, and the German Shepherd Dog Club of America to discuss means of limiting the disease. This ultimately led to the formation and incorporation of the OFA in 1966.  Its initial mission: To provide radiographic evaluation, data management, and genetic counseling for canine hip dysplasia.

While the OFA continues to focus on hip dysplasia, today’s OFA Mission, “To improve the health and well being of companion animals through a reduction in the incidence of genetic disease,” reflects the organization’s expansion into other inherited diseases and other companion animals such as cats.

The OFA is guided by the following four specific objectives:

  • To collate and disseminate information concerning orthopedic and genetic diseases of animals.
  • To advise, encourage and establish control programs to lower the incidence of orthopedic and genetic diseases.
  • To encourage and finance research in orthopedic and genetic disease in animals.
  • To receive funds and make grants to carry out these objectives.

The OFA Databases

The OFA databases are core to the organization’s objective of establishing control programs to lower the incidence of inherited disease.  Responsible breeders have an inherent responsibility to breed healthy dogs.  The OFA databases serve all breeds of dogs and cats, and provide breeders a means to respond to the challenge of improving the genetic health of their breed through better breeding practices.  The testing methodology and the criteria for evaluating the test results for each database were independently established by veterinary scientists from their respective specialty areas, and the standards used are generally accepted throughout the world. 

What is CERF?

CERF stands for Canine Eye Registration Foundation.  The organization was conceived in 1974 by a group of concerned dog breeders in the San Francisco area.  Eventually, CERF moved to its present location at Purdue University in Indiana.

The AKC allows CERF numbers on the AKC registration form. Per the "Special Services" Department at AKC, as of July 1, 1996, OFA and CERF transfers are made to the AKC database with dogs that have been permanently and positively identified.  This means that your dog has to be either tattooed or microchipped at the time of testing.  CERF downloads the current CERF number to AKC on a quarterly basis.  AKC carries the current CERF number for two calendar years.  Then if the CERF number is not renewed, AKC drops the CERF number off the AKC registration.

In order to obtain a CERF number, a dog or puppy must be checked by a member of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists. That doctor has to fill out an ACVO/CERF examination report.  The owner submits the report, with the appropriate fee, to CERF headquarters.  In order for a CERF number to be issued, certain criteria must first be met.  There are no exceptions!

The first set of conditions applies to all breeds.  In order to obtain a CERF number, none of the following conditions can exist in any breed, under any conditions:

cataracts

lens subluxation or luxation

glaucoma

PHPV (persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous)

retinal detachment

retinal dysplasia

PRA

optic nerve coloboma

The next set of conditions is breed-specific and in our case, applies to Collies only.  In order for a CERF number to be issued, none of the conditions below can exist in our breed:

chorodial hypoplasia

staphyloma/coloboma

retinal hemorrhage

retinal atrophy

microthalmia

The breed-specific eye diseases obviously differ from breed to breed.  Once a dog passes all the required criteria, a CERF number is issued.

There is a lot of information in the CERF number.  The number is actually a combination of four different elements.  The first two elements show the breed abbreviation and the unique CERF number for a specific animal.  The last two elements show the last examination date and the animal's age in months at the time of examination.  For example: a Collie is given the number CO-489/97-24.  The CO stands for Collie, the 489 number is that particular dog's unique CERF number, the 97 stands for the last year the dog was checked, and the 24 is the dog's age in months (in this example the dog was 24 months at its last CERF examination.)  If you are considering breeding to a dog that is six years and his CERF number ends in 24, then you know that dog has not been registered with CERF for the last four years.  CERF recommends that all breeding stock be checked and registered with CERF on a yearly basis.

A CERF number is only valid for one year from the date of the last examination.  This system helps guard against the possibility of an animal having a current CERF number at six weeks, that goes onto develop PRA by the time they are one year old or later.  Unfortunately, this is a common misconception that one hears about the validity of a CERF number.....that a dog given a CERF number at an early age, can develop PRA in later years. The yearly exam guards against a dog with PRA from getting a current number. Since late onset PRA is a very real concern in many breeds, it becomes imperative to do yearly checks.

Written by Gayle Kaye