Canine Health Information Center
“CHIC”

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By Gayle Kaye

CHIC is a centralized canine health database jointly sponsored by the AKC/Canine Health Foundation (AKC/CHF) and the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA). Working with parent clubs, CHIC provides an important resource for breeders and owners of participating purebred dogs to research and maintain information on the health issues prevalent in specific breeds.

CHIC also maintains a DNA Bank (co-sponsored by the OFA and the AKC/CHF) that collects and stores canine DNA samples along with corresponding genealogic and phenotypic information in order to facilitate future research and testing, aimed at reducing the incidence of inherited disease in dogs.

COLLIE

OFA-CHIC Health Testing Requirements

The OFA, working with the breed's parent club, recommends the following basic health screening tests for all breeding stock. Dogs meeting these basic health screening requirements will be issued Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) numbers. For CHIC certification, all results do not need to be normal, but they must all be in the public domain so that responsible breeders can make more informed breeding decisions. For potential puppy buyers, CHIC certification is a good indicator the breeder responsibly factors good health into their selection criteria. The breed specific list below represents the basic health screening recommendations. It is not all encompassing. There may be other health screening tests appropriate for this breed. And, there may be other health concerns for which there is no commonly accepted screening protocol available.

• Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test 
  DNA based rcd2-PRA test results from an approved lab. First Generation Offspring of tested dogs eligible for Clear By Parentage ➚
• Multiple Drug Sensitivity 
  DNA based MDR1 test results from an approved lab. First Generation Offspring of tested dogs eligible for Clear By Parentage ➚
• Dermatomyositis 
  DNA based DMS test results from an approved lab. ➚

In addition to the breed specific requirements above, a CHIC requirement across all participating breeds is that the dog must be permanently identified via microchip or tattoo in order to qualify for a CHIC number.

CHIC numbers generate automatically once all requirements have been recorded at the OFA. Foreign born dogs must have clearances from their country's equivalent and must meet the age requirements for evaluation. CHIC numbers for foreign born dogs with foreign health screening results may qualify for CHIC, but their numbers will not generate automatically. Results must be manually forwarded to the OFA (fees apply) and CHIC numbers requested after a review.

The Collie Club of America is a participating member of CHIC and currently 3 tests are needed in order to obtain CHIC numbers and be listed in the CHIC database. Here are links to the labs that test:

• 1) Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test

Optigen rcd2-PRA results registered with the OFA. First Generation Offspring of tested dogs eligible for Clear By Parentage. Visit the Optigen website for information on the test: http://www.optigen.com/opt9_rcd2testpage.html

• 2) Multiple Drug Sensitivity

Washington State University Veterinary Clinical Pharmacology Lab test results registered with the OFA - WSU VCPL. First Generation Offspring of tested dogs eligible for Clear By Parentage. Visit the Washington State University website for more information on the test: http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/depts-VCPL/
Visit the official Collie Club of America website:
http://www.collieclubofamerica.org/

3) Dermatomyositis - Optigen