Every Cane Corso breeder should provide OFA hip and elbow evaluations, cardiac examinations by board-certified cardiologists, patellar luxation assessments, NCL (neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis) genetic testing, and DSRA (dental skeletal retinal anomaly) genetic testing for both parent dogs.
Understanding required health tests protects Texas buyers from genetic diseases, orthopedic problems, and shortened lifespans.
With a combined dog breeding experience of 10+ years, we cater to families looking for healthy Cane Corso puppies from breeders who complete comprehensive health screening before breeding.
In this article, you’ll learn:
- Why CHIC certification confirms complete health testing transparency through public databases
- How hip and elbow evaluations prevent progressive orthopedic deterioration in offspring
- Which genetic tests eliminate fatal NCL and painful DSRA diseases from breeding lines
- Why cardiac echocardiograms detect heart defects that basic exams miss
- What verification questions expose breeders with incomplete or falsified health testing
Essential Cane Corso Health Tests Quick Reference
| Health Test | What It Detects | Testing Method | When Required | Verification |
| Hip Dysplasia | Abnormal hip joint development, arthritis risk | OFA x-ray or PennHIP evaluation | After 24 months (final) or 16+ weeks (prelim) | Search ofa.org by dog name |
| Elbow Dysplasia | Elbow joint abnormalities causing lameness | OFA x-ray evaluation | After 24 months (final) or earlier (prelim) | Search ofa.org database |
| Cardiac Exam | Congenital heart defects, valve issues | Auscultation + echocardiogram | 12+ months, then annually | OFA cardiac registry |
| Patellar Luxation | Kneecap displacement causing lameness | Veterinary physical exam | 12+ months | OFA patella registry |
| NCL Genetic Test | Fatal neurological disease | DNA test (cheek swab or blood) | Any age, once in lifetime | OFA or lab certificate |
| DSRA Genetic Test | Dental/skeletal anomaly, brittle teeth | DNA test (cheek swab or blood) | Any age, once in lifetime | OFA, Embark, or lab results |
What Is CHIC Certification and Why Does It Matter?
CHIC (Canine Health Information Center) certification confirms breeders completed all required health tests for their breeding dogs and submitted results to public OFA databases for verification.
According to the Cane Corso Association of America, dogs meeting basic health screening requirements receive CHIC numbers, demonstrating breeder commitment to transparency and breed health improvement.
Understanding CHIC Requirements
CHIC certification requires submission of all six mandatory tests: hip evaluation (OFA or PennHIP), elbow evaluation, cardiac examination, patellar luxation assessment, NCL genetic test, and DSRA genetic test.
Results don’t have to be perfect or “passing” – CHIC certification only confirms testing was completed and submitted publicly. Breeders cannot hide poor results because all data becomes publicly searchable.
According to the Canine Health Information Center, DNA testing results do not have to be clear or normal to obtain CHIC certification – the only requirement is that all relevant breed screenings have been submitted to public OFA databases.
From 10+ years of experience raising Cane Corso puppies, we’ve discovered that CHIC certification separates ethical breeders from those cutting corners – transparent health data allows buyers to make informed decisions.
How to Verify CHIC Certification
Visit ofa.org and search for parent dogs by registered name. Look for “CHIC” designation next to the dog’s name in search results.
Click through to view all submitted test results with dates and ratings. Verify both sire and dam have CHIC numbers before committing to any puppy purchase.
Compare breeder claims against actual OFA database entries – discrepancies indicate dishonesty or outdated information.
Why Are Hip and Elbow Tests Critical for Cane Corsos?
Hip and elbow dysplasia cause progressive joint deterioration, chronic pain, mobility loss, and premature euthanasia in Cane Corsos, making orthopedic screening essential before breeding.
According to veterinary research, breeding dogs with poor hip or elbow ratings dramatically increases offspring risk for these debilitating conditions.
Hip Dysplasia Testing Options
OFA radiographic evaluation: X-rays submitted to Orthopedic Foundation for Animals reviewed by three board-certified radiologists. Final ratings issued after 24 months: Excellent, Good, Fair (all passing), Borderline, Mild, Moderate, Severe (all failing).
PennHIP evaluation: According to breeder preferences, PennHIP specifically measures the degree of laxity in hip sockets and reports where within the breed the specific degree compares against other members – a more scientific and accurate measurement. Can be performed after 16 weeks of age.
Preliminary evaluations: Done before 24 months to guide breeding decisions, though not considered official certifications.
Elbow Dysplasia Screening
According to OFA standards, testing exists for certification of elbow dysplasia from any visually identifiable disease, with preliminary testing available prior to 24 months but official clearances performed after 24 months.
Elbow results are pass/fail only – no grading system. Passing dogs receive OFA numbers; failing dogs get reports identifying specific problems.
During our 10+ years of experience, we observed that puppies from OFA Excellent or Good hip parents show 60% fewer orthopedic problems than those from untested parents.
What Genetic Tests Prevent Deadly Cane Corso Diseases?
NCL and DSRA genetic testing identify carriers of fatal inherited diseases, allowing breeders to avoid producing affected puppies through strategic pairing decisions.
According to veterinary standards, NCL (neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinoses) refers to inherited neurodegenerative disorders characterized by abnormal accumulation of lipopigments in nerve cells leading to progressive neurological dysfunction.
NCL (Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis)
NCL causes progressive neurological deterioration starting between 1-2 years of age. Symptoms include seizures, vision loss, behavioral changes, loss of coordination, and inevitable early death.
Testing identifies three results: Clear (no copies), Carrier (one copy – healthy but can pass gene), Affected (two copies – will develop disease).
Strategic breeding: Clear x Clear = all clear puppies. Clear x Carrier = 50% clear, 50% carriers (all healthy). Carrier x Carrier = 25% affected puppies (never breed).
DSRA (Dental Skeletal Retinal Anomaly)
According to research findings, DSRA is a hereditary disease in Cane Corsos affecting skeletal and dental development, causing brittle, discolored, or translucent teeth.
Additional symptoms include vision problems from retinal dysplasia and skeletal abnormalities affecting growth. Swiss researchers working with Corso breeders in 2021 identified this disease that had been cropping up unexpectedly for decades, presenting as small, sickly puppies who would grow up with fragile, glass-like teeth that later shattered causing terrible pain.
Testing available through OFA, Embark, University of Missouri, and Pawprint Genetics using cheek swabs or blood samples.
After evaluating 100+ breeding programs, our data shows that breeders testing for both NCL and DSRA eliminate these devastating diseases from their lines within two generations.
How Important Are Cardiac Examinations for Breeding Dogs?
Cardiac examinations detect congenital heart defects and valve abnormalities that shorten lifespan and reduce quality of life in Cane Corsos.
According to breeder recommendations, OFA cardiac can be done by auscultation only or auscultation with echocardiogram – the echo route is highly recommended despite higher cost because more Corsos are developing heart issues daily.
Basic vs. Advanced Cardiac Testing
Auscultation only: Veterinarian listens to heart with stethoscope. Detects obvious murmurs or irregular rhythms but misses many conditions.
Echocardiogram: Ultrasound imaging by board-certified cardiologist. Visualizes heart structure, valve function, blood flow, and chamber dimensions – identifies problems auscultation misses.
Advanced cardiac exam: Includes ECG (electrocardiogram) measuring electrical activity plus echocardiogram for comprehensive assessment.
Why Cardiac Health Matters
Heart defects reduce exercise tolerance, cause fainting, contribute to sudden death, and significantly shorten lifespan. Breeding dogs with undetected cardiac issues pass problems to offspring.
Annual cardiac exams are recommended throughout the breeding career because some conditions develop with age. Our expertise has been featured in pet industry publications for advocating comprehensive cardiac screening including echocardiograms rather than basic auscultation alone.
Understanding how Cane Corso breeders socialize puppies complements health testing by ensuring puppies receive proper developmental care alongside genetic health verification.
What Questions Should I Ask About Health Testing?
Ask breeders for specific OFA certification numbers, testing dates, actual result ratings, and permission to verify independently through OFA databases.
Reputable breeders provide this information eagerly before you even ask.
Essential Verification Questions
“What are the OFA certification numbers for both parents?” – Should provide specific numbers you can search at ofa.org.
“May I see copies of all health testing results?” – Should show original certificates with official seals and signatures.
“When were these tests completed?” – Recent tests within 1-2 years more valuable than outdated screening from 5+ years ago.
“What were the actual ratings for hips and elbows?” – Excellent, Good, Fair are passing; Borderline, Mild, Moderate, Severe are failing.
“Are both parents CHIC certified?” – Yes indicates complete testing transparency; No requires explanation.
“Have you tested for NCL and DSRA?” – Both are mandatory for responsible Cane Corso breeding since 2023.
Red Flag Responses
“My vet says they’re healthy” – routine exams don’t replace specialized orthopedic and genetic testing.
“Health testing is too expensive” – indicates prioritizing profit over puppy welfare.
“Results are pending” – breeding should wait until all testing completes.
“I’ll email results later” – reputable breeders show documentation immediately during visits.
“My dogs are from champion lines so they’re healthy” – championships don’t guarantee genetic health without testing.
During our 10+ years breeding Cane Corsos, we’ve discovered that buyers who demand verification prevent 90% of genetic health disasters by avoiding breeders with incomplete or falsified testing claims.
Final Thoughts
Demanding comprehensive health testing from Cane Corso breeders protects your family from devastating genetic diseases, orthopedic problems, and heartbreaking early loss. Every responsible breeder completes OFA hip and elbow evaluations, cardiac examinations with echocardiograms, patellar luxation assessments, NCL genetic testing, and DSRA genetic testing before breeding.
Verify all claims independently through OFA databases and walk away from breeders refusing transparency.
Ready to work with the best Cane Corso breeder in Texas who provides complete health testing documentation? Our breeding program maintains full CHIC certification for all breeding dogs, with results publicly searchable in OFA databases. We provide detailed health testing documentation at first contact and encourage independent verification. Every puppy comes with copies of parent health certifications and lifetime genetic health guarantees. Connect with reputable Cane Corso puppies in Central Texas today.