Australian Cattle Dog: health-screening sources

Key facts

Statement approved

17 April 2024 [source]

Hearing method

BAER, with each ear evaluated [source]

Eye-related methods

Specialist examination plus named DNA tests [source]

What the April 2024 statement actually lists

The Australian Cattle Dog Club of America approved its statement on 17 April 2024 for its Breeder of Heart requirements. It lists hip and elbow evaluations, examination by a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist, prcd-PRA DNA testing, BAER hearing evaluation and primary lens luxation DNA testing. The document also lists optional recommendations, including patellar assessment, congenital cardiac assessment, PRA-RCD4 testing and consultation about hock OCD. These are recommendations within a named American club programme. They should not be presented as a universal Australian registration law or combined into a single unspecified genetic clearance.

Hearing, eye examination and DNA answer different questions

BAER records an auditory response for each ear; responding to a sound in the home does not document hearing in both ears. OFA’s protocol describes a tracing linked to the dog’s identity. The eye examination looks for clinical findings, whereas prcd-PRA and primary lens luxation DNA tests investigate specified inherited variants. A clear DNA result for one named condition does not establish that an eye examination was performed or that hearing was assessed. The ACDCA statement’s use of several testing methods is therefore substantive, rather than a longer list of interchangeable certificates.

Reading a puppy or parent’s evidence

The statement asks breeders to provide results linked to the correct animal by permanent identification. Retain the registered name, microchip or tattoo, laboratory or examiner, date and actual finding. If an owner is shown a claim of clearance by parentage, the relevant ancestor results and parentage documentation are part of the evidence, rather than simply the word clear on an advertisement. Joint screening, ear-specific hearing results and specialist eye findings should remain separately readable. A veterinarian can explain how those records apply to an individual dog and what further assessment is appropriate; completion of the club list does not exclude every possible health problem.

Common questions

Sources & further reading

References for this guide. Rules and services can change; check the responsible organisation for current details.

• Australian Cattle Dog parent-club health statement (opens in a new tab)
• OFA: congenital deafness and BAER (opens in a new tab)
• OFA: Companion Animal Eye Registry scope (opens in a new tab)

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