When to Retest: Annual vs. Breeding Exams

Eye certifications expire. Unlike hip evaluations which are done once on an adult dog and last forever, eye exams have a twelve-month validity period. This means ongoing testing throughout your dog's breeding career. But how often you actually need to test depends on your situation, your breed, and what you are trying to accomplish.

I have seen breeders who test every single dog every single year religiously. I have also seen breeders who get one certification and never test again. Both approaches have problems. Let me walk through when retesting actually matters and how to plan a sensible testing schedule.

Why Eye Certifications Expire

Unlike structural problems that are present from the start (a hip is dysplastic or it is not), many eye conditions develop over time. Progressive Retinal Atrophy starts with subtle changes that become more obvious with age. Some cataracts appear in middle age. Certain conditions are more detectable at specific life stages.

The twelve-month expiration ensures that a dog's eye status is current. A certification from three years ago tells you nothing about today. That dog might have developed cataracts, shown signs of PRA, or changed in ways that affect breeding soundness. Knowing how to read the certification codes helps you understand exactly what's being evaluated each year. If you are unfamiliar with the history of OFA versus the old CERF system, reviewing that background provides useful context for understanding current practices.

Some breed clubs require certifications within six or twelve months of breeding. Many puppy buyers want recent certifications. Registries like CHIC have specific requirements about certification dates. The expiration matters both practically and for documentation purposes.

The Standard Annual Testing Approach

The most straightforward approach is annual testing for all breeding stock. Every dog in your breeding program gets an eye exam once per year, regardless of whether you plan to breed them that year.

Advantages of annual testing:

• Catches developing problems early
• Maintains continuous certification for documentation
• Creates a longitudinal record for each dog
• Meets most breed club requirements automatically
• Simple to schedule and remember

Disadvantages:

• Costs add up with multiple dogs
• May be unnecessary for retired dogs not being bred
• Requires repeated scheduling and travel

I use annual testing for my active breeding dogs. Sterling, my current stud, has been tested every year since he turned one. His exam history shows seven consecutive clear results, which is powerful documentation when puppy buyers ask about eye health in the pedigree.

Pre-Breeding Testing Requirements

Many breed clubs and responsible breeding practices require eye certification within a specific window before breeding. Common requirements include:

• Within 12 months of breeding: The standard OFA certification requirement
• Within 6 months of breeding: Some breed clubs use this stricter standard
• Current at time of breeding: Must not expire before puppies are born

If you breed twice per year, pre-breeding testing might actually mean testing more frequently than annually. If you breed once every two years, it might mean testing less frequently in off years.

For bitches, I time eye exams to happen early in the planning cycle. If I am considering breeding a bitch in March, I schedule her eye exam in January. This gives time to address any unexpected findings and ensures the certification is current through whelping.

For studs used at outside request, timing is trickier. I keep Sterling's certification current because I never know when someone will want to use him. If his certification expired in February and a breeding request came in March, I would have to scramble for an appointment.

Puppy Screening Exams

Litter screening is a separate consideration from ongoing breeding dog testing. For breeds with early-onset conditions like Collie Eye Anomaly, puppy exams at 6-8 weeks are critical.

CEA is actually easier to detect in young puppies than in adults because pigmentation changes can obscure mild findings later. The standard Collie breeder practice is to have entire litters examined around seven weeks of age. This happens before puppies leave for their new homes. Preparing for these exams helps ensure smooth litter screening.

Puppy screening costs less per dog because litters are examined as a group. Typical rates run $25-35 per puppy. For a litter of six, that is $150-210 total for crucial health information.

These puppy exams do not replace adult certification. A puppy cleared at seven weeks should still be certified as an adult before entering a breeding program. The puppy exam catches early-onset problems; adult exams catch later-developing ones.

Testing After Questionable Results

If an exam reveals something concerning but not definitively disqualifying, you may need more frequent testing to monitor the finding.

Common scenarios requiring follow-up:

• Small cataracts of uncertain significance: Retest in 3-6 months to determine if progressive
• Retinal folds in young dogs: Retest when mature to see if folds persist
• Borderline findings: Second opinion or retest before making breeding decisions
• Post-treatment monitoring: After treatment for conditions like distichiasis

In 2019, one of my young bitches had what appeared to be a small punctate cataract at her first adult exam. The ophthalmologist recommended a recheck in four months. The recheck showed the opacity was unchanged and in a location consistent with a developmental remnant rather than progressive cataract. I bred her with confidence and she has produced only clear-eyed puppies.

Had I not retested, I might have permanently removed a valuable bitch from my program over something insignificant. Or worse, had I ignored the finding and bred her anyway without follow-up, I could have missed a progressive cataract getting worse.

Retired Dogs and Testing Frequency

Once a dog is no longer being used for breeding, annual certification becomes optional. The purpose of certification is to document breeding soundness. A spayed pet does not need current certification.

However, I still recommend occasional eye exams for older pets, just not necessarily OFA-submitted certifications. General eye health matters for quality of life. Catching cataracts early can allow intervention. Monitoring chronic conditions prevents suffering.

My retired dogs get eye checks during their regular veterinary visits, with full ophthalmology exams only if something seems wrong. I do not pay for OFA certification on dogs that are no longer breeding, but I do not ignore their eyes either.

My Testing Schedule

Here is how I structure eye testing across my program:

Active Breeding Dogs (Ages 1-8)

Annual OFA eye certification, scheduled in early fall to coincide with the regional Collie specialty where clinic events are offered. This keeps all certifications current through the following year's breeding season.

Young Dogs Entering the Program (Under 1 year)

First adult exam at 12 months, then annual thereafter. Puppy litter screening at 7 weeks remains separate from this adult certification.

Dogs With Previous Findings

Retest at intervals recommended by the ophthalmologist until the finding is stable or resolved. May mean testing more frequently than annually for a period.

Retired Breeding Dogs (8+)

Eye health monitoring during regular vet visits. Full ophthalmology exam only if problems are suspected. No OFA certification unless specifically needed for documentation.

Puppies Being Evaluated

Litter screening at 7 weeks. Follow-up exam at 6 months if being held for potential breeding. Full certification at 12 months if entering the breeding program.

Cost Management Strategies

Testing multiple dogs annually adds up. Here are ways to manage costs:

• Use clinic events: At $50 versus $100 for private appointments, clinic events cut costs in half.
• Test multiple dogs same day: One trip, one time investment.
• Schedule around shows: Many specialty shows and national events offer eye clinics. Combine testing with activities you would attend anyway.
• Coordinate with other breeders: Organize informal clinic events by gathering enough dogs to justify an ophthalmologist's visit to your area.
• Prioritize active dogs: Focus certification dollars on dogs actually being bred. Defer or skip testing on dogs unlikely to be used.

Documentation and Record Keeping

Whatever testing schedule you follow, maintain thorough records. Each dog should have a file containing:

• Every eye exam form received
• OFA certification numbers and dates
• Notes from conversations with ophthalmologists
• Any follow-up recommendations and outcomes

When puppy buyers ask about eye health in the pedigree, you should be able to provide specifics. "Sire has been examined annually for seven years with no findings" is more compelling than "eyes are fine."

I also keep a spreadsheet tracking certification dates for all dogs in my program. This tells me at a glance when each dog's certification expires and when to schedule the next round of exams.

What Happens If You Let Certification Lapse

Missing a year of testing is not catastrophic, but it creates gaps in your documentation and may cause problems if you want to breed.

Issues from lapsed certification:

• Cannot claim current eye clearance for breeding documentation
• May not meet breed club requirements for litters
• CHIC numbers may become ineligible if eye certification lapses
• Puppy buyers may question commitment to health testing
• Any condition developing during the gap period goes undetected

If certification has lapsed, simply schedule a new exam. There is no penalty for the gap except the lack of documentation during that period. The dog will be certified based on the new exam, and you can resume annual testing from there.

My Recommendations

For most breeders, I recommend:

1. Annual certification for active breeding dogs. The cost is manageable and the documentation is valuable.
2. Litter screening for relevant breeds. If your breed has early-onset conditions, screen puppies before placement.
3. Prompt follow-up on any findings. Do not wait for the next annual exam if something needs monitoring.
4. Flexible approach to retired dogs. Continue monitoring health without necessarily maintaining certification.
5. Good record keeping. Whatever you test, document thoroughly.

The exact frequency matters less than consistency and follow-through. A breeder who tests every eighteen months but never misses is doing better than one who tests religiously for two years then stops.