Canine Health Information Center “CHIC”

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.

The Collie Club of America is a participating member of CHIC and currently two tests are needed in order to obtain CHIC numbers and be listed in the CHIC database. For Collies the two tests are:

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

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/deptsVCPL/

Visit the official Collie Club of America website: http://www.collieclubofamerica.org/
For more information on the Canine Health Information Center please go to: http://www.caninehealthinfo.org/