Are OFA’s and Genetics Important When Choosing a Goldendoodle Puppy?

Absolutely. In fact, health testing and genetics are some of the most important things families should look at when choosing a Goldendoodle breeder.

One thing I often tell families is this:

If two breeders are similarly priced, but one is doing extensive health testing, OFA evaluations, and genetic screening while another breeder is doing very little testing… why wouldn’t you want more for your investment?

A puppy is not just a purchase for today. You are choosing a companion that will hopefully be part of your family for the next 10–15 years. Responsible health testing helps lower risk, improve predictability, and protect the future health and structure of the puppies being produced.

At Sunny Doodles Arizona, temperament and health are both priorities when selecting parent dogs and planning litters.

What Are OFA Tests?

OFA stands for the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals. These evaluations help breeders screen parent dogs for hereditary orthopedic and structural conditions before breeding.

While no breeder can guarantee a puppy will never develop a health issue, responsible testing helps reduce the likelihood of passing down known hereditary concerns.

OFA Hips

Hip evaluations help assess the structure and quality of a dog’s hip joints to reduce the risk of producing puppies prone to hip dysplasia.

Hip dysplasia can lead to:

• pain

• arthritis

• mobility issues

• expensive future surgeries

Strong hip testing matters tremendously in active family dogs and larger breeds.

OFA Elbows

Elbow testing helps evaluate elbow joint health and reduce the risk of hereditary elbow dysplasia, which can impact mobility and long-term comfort.

OFA Cardiac

Cardiac evaluations help screen for hereditary heart concerns and help breeders make more informed breeding decisions for long-term health.

OFA Patellas

Patella evaluations assess kneecap stability and are especially important in smaller-sized dogs and doodle breeds. Luxating patellas can lead to discomfort and orthopedic complications.

OFA Eyes / CAER

CAER eye exams evaluate overall eye health and help screen for inherited eye conditions that may impact vision later in life.

Why Genetics Matter

Genetic testing has become an incredibly important part of ethical breeding programs.

At Sunny Doodles Arizona, our parent dogs undergo extensive genetic screening, including COI evaluation and hundreds of genetic trait and health tests.

What Is COI?

COI stands for Coefficient of Inbreeding.

This helps breeders better understand genetic diversity within a pairing. Lower and thoughtfully managed COI percentages can help support stronger long-term genetic health and reduce the risk of concentrating hereditary issues.

Genetic Health Screening

Comprehensive genetic panels help screen for inherited conditions that could potentially be passed to puppies. Ethical breeders use this information to make informed pairing decisions rather than breeding blindly.

Traits Like Furnishings & Coat Type

Genetics also help determine traits such as:

• furnishings

• coat type

• curl pattern

• shedding tendencies

This matters because many families specifically seek lower-shedding or allergy-friendly coat traits when searching for a Goldendoodle.

Understanding genetics helps breeders produce more predictable outcomes and helps families better understand what to expect from their puppy.

Health Testing Matters More Than Color

While beautiful colors and markings are fun, they should never come before:

• temperament

• structure

• health

• genetic soundness

A beautiful puppy means very little if poor breeding practices create long-term health or behavioral struggles later in life.

Choosing A Breeder Is About More Than Price

Not all Goldendoodle breeders are investing the same amount into their program.

Responsible health testing, OFA evaluations, genetic screening, temperament selection, and intentional pairings require:

• time

• education

• financial investment

• long-term commitment

Families deserve to understand what goes into producing healthy, well-rounded puppies and why ethical breeding practices matter.

At the end of the day, choosing a breeder is not simply about finding the cheapest puppy — it is about finding a breeder intentionally working to give their puppies the best possible foundation for a healthy and successful future.