HEALTH TESTING FOR SHELTIES

Maintaining the health and well-being of the Shetland Sheepdog is a shared responsibility among breeders, owners, and the broader dog community. Health testing plays an important role in supporting the long-term soundness, temperament, and longevity of the breed.

Health testing in dogs generally includes a combination of:

• Physical evaluations 
  • Such as hips, eyes, cardiac, and patella assessments 
• Laboratory testing 
  • Including thyroid screening and other bloodwork 
• DNA (genetic) testing 
  • Identifies inherited conditions and carrier status 

These tests work together to provide a more complete picture of a dog’s overall health and genetic background.

The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is a widely recognized registry for canine health testing.

OFA:

• Standardizes health testing across breeds 
• Provides independent evaluation of results 
• Maintains a public, searchable database of health clearances 

This transparency allows breeders, owners, and researchers to make more informed decisions and contributes to the long-term health of the breed.

Through the Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) program, the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals outlines breed-specific health testing recommendations.

For Shetland Sheepdogs, the following evaluations are included:

• Conducted by a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist 
• Screens for inherited eye conditions such as Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA) and Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) 
• Typically repeated on a regular basis to monitor eye health over time 

Our club helps facilitate eye clinic days for members, making it convenient to complete this important screening.

Participation in regular eye clinics helps support both individual dog health and the broader understanding of eye conditions within the breed.

• Assesses hip joint conformation and screens for hip dysplasia 
• Final evaluations are generally completed at 2 years of age or older 

• Screens for autoimmune thyroiditis 
• Involves blood testing reviewed through OFA 

DNA testing is included within CHIC recommendations and may include conditions such as:

• Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA) 
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
• more listed below

The Sheltie Club puts on a few times a year an eye clinic! Please see the link below to sign up! 

While CHIC outlines the minimum, many responsible breeders complete additional testing to further reduce risk and strengthen their breeding programs.

These include:

• Multidrug Sensitivity (MDR1) 
  • Important for medication safety and drug reactions 
• Von Willebrand’s Disease (vWD) 
  • A clotting disorder that can impact bleeding 
• Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) (less common in Shelties but sometimes screened) 
• Cardiac Evaluation (Optional)
• Patella Evaluation (Optional)
• Dentition (Optional)  

DNA testing may be performed through established laboratories such as Embark Veterinary and Animal Genetics.

These services provide additional tools to help identify genetic traits and support informed decision-making.

The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals maintains a public database where health testing results can be recorded and accessed. This supports transparency and helps inform decisions within the breed community.

Health testing contributes to:

• A better understanding of inherited conditions within the breed 
• More informed breeding decisions 
• The overall preservation and improvement of the Shetland Sheepdog 

While no testing program can eliminate all health concerns, it remains a valuable tool in promoting the long-term health of the breed.