OVGRC Policy - Required Health Clearances for Litter Listings

The Ottawa Valley Golden Retriever Club (OVGRC) offers the Litter Listing section of the Club's website as a service to member breeders, member stud dog owners, and prospective puppy owners. In particular, this service provides prospective Golden Retriever owners with information to assist with the purchase of a carefully bred Golden Retriever puppy or adult dog. Puppies and dogs listed are from parents who have passed a number of important health tests for hereditary disorders, especially those of the eyes, hips, elbows and heart.

Acceptance of a listing does not guarantee placement of puppies, and does not constitute endorsement by the OVGRC or any of its members. Although publishing clearance information helps promote proper breeding practices which puppy buyers can look for when choosing a breeder, neither the OVGRC nor its Board of Directors assumes responsibility for the quality, health, soundness, or temperament of any litters listed. Puppy buyers are encouraged to research carefully and make their own judgement as to the acceptability of clearances when making a decision to select a puppy.

OVGRC members may post upcoming litters on the Litter Listing page of the club website if:

1. The breeder/stud dog owner has met the required criteria in order to be listed as a Breeder or a Service Provider on the OVGRC Website as outlined in the OVGRC Board Minutes of 2 Feb 2003, and...
2. In keeping with the Code of Ethics of the Golden Retriever Club of Canada, the breeder/stud dog owner submits the following:

Required Health Clearance Documentation

1. Copies of Canadian Kennel Club/American Kennel Club registration certificates , thereby verifying that both the sire and dam were over 2 years old at the time of breeding.
2. Eye Clearances :
   • Both sire and dam must have a report issued by a member of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists, certifying that the dog is free of heritable eye disease.
   • Clearances must be current during the time the litter is listed. Eye clearances are valid only for one year from the date of issue. Canine Eye Registration Foundation (CERF) certificates will be accepted.
3. Hip Clearances :
   • Both sire and dam must have final Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) Certification or Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) Certification done at or after 18 months of age, with no radiographic evidence of hip dysplasia.
4. Elbow Clearances :
   • Both sire and dam must have final OFA Certification or OVC Certification done at or after 18 months of age, with no radiographic evidence of elbow dysplasia.
5. Heart Clearances:
   • Both sire and dam must have final OFA certification, or normal reports, done at or after 12 months of age, issued by a veterinary cardiologist who is certified by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Cardiology).

Proof of clearances can be submitted via fax, regular mail or e-mail and must either be scanned copies of final clearance certificates and/or reports or OFA, CERF, or CHIC numbers which can be verified on-line in their respective databases.

Clearance certificates will be verified by an independent reviewer who will submit a recommendation to the Board for listing on the website. Litter listings must have final approval by the club president before any litter listings are posted on the OVGRC website.