All dogs, whether purebred or mixed breed are at risk for genetic disease. A common misconception is that mixed breeds are inherently healthier than purebred dogs, and this simply isn’t true. The difference lies in predictability. With a mixed-breed dog, the health history, genetic makeup, and lineage of the parents are often unknown, meaning potential risks are largely unseen rather than absent.

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When you choose to purchase a well-bred puppy, you are paying for far more than just a name or pedigree. You are investing in predictability of temperament, structure, purpose, and most importantly, health. Ethical breeding involves carefully selecting parents who have undergone thorough health testing before they are bred, with the goal of reducing the risk of known, breed-specific genetic conditions.

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It’s also important to understand that a health-tested puppy is not the same as a puppy that has simply been “vet checked.” A routine veterinary exam evaluates a puppy’s current physical condition, while health testing examines inherited risks that may not appear until later in life.

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At FoxFire, our personal dogs have their hips X-rayed and evaluated by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA), cardiac testing performed and cleared by a board-certified cardiologist through OFA, and eye certifications completed through OFA as well. Each of these clearances requires specialized testing and represents a significant investment often costing far more than a standard veterinary exam.

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When comparing breeders, we encourage prospective owners to look beyond the phrase “vet checked” and ask about documented health testing, official clearances, and written guarantees. Understanding the difference is essential to making an informed and responsible decision.