Above photograph: Tinker, playing fetch in the lake with her four foot 'twig.' Tinker has passed every certification on this page.
OFA Certifications Available for Alaskan Malamutes:
(Orthopedic Foundation for Animals - Physical Examinations)
OFA Hip Certification for Alaskan Malamutes - degenerative disease of the hip sockets and associated components. Alaskan Malamutes are known to be affected with some dysplastic dogs, other breeds have more than half their populations assumed 'affected' with some degree of hip dysplasia. For many years, around 400 Alaskan Malamutes were tested annually. There are 500 or so Malamute puppies born annual in Canada, each year, for the past decade. Fewer than 150 (all Malamutes) were tested, and listed, in 2010. See my link at Alaskan Malamute Hip and Elbow Dysplasia for more information.
OFA Elbow Certification for Alaskan Malamutes - degenerative disease of the elbows and associated components. Lameness is a classic sign of elbow dysplasia and may be almost undetectable or intermittent. Genetic and environmental factors, aggravate or inhibit its development and that can include rate of weight gain, amount of exercise, nutrition, etc. Studies have demonstrated inherited polygenic traits causing elbow dysplasia and while there are several, they may occur individually or independent of one another. See my link at Alaskan Malamute Hip and Elbow Dysplasia for more information.
Eye Certification (CERF for Alaskan Malamutes) - one CERF exam encompasses hundreds of diseases - but not ALL of them. According to the site, the Canine Eye Registration Foundation (CERF) is an organization founded by a group of concerned, purebred owner/breeders who recognized that the quality of their dog's lives were being affected by heritable eye disease. The CERF Registry not only registers dog's 'certified free of heritable eye disease' by board certified Veterinary Ophthalmologists (A.C.V.O. ), but also collects data on all dogs examined. Only a specially trained Ophthalmologists may perform the examination if a CERF Certificate is to be issued. Alaskan Malamutes are affected by a number of diseases, several of which are not actually detectable by CERF exam. While cataracts are considered one of the more widespread diseases in the Alaskan Malamute, several other diseases that affect the cornea, eyelid (and eyelash), retina and iris are also of concern. Many of these eye disorders cost thousands of dollars to treat and some require the surgical removal of the dogs eyes. In the Alaskan Malamute 'punctate cataract' and / or persistent pupilliary membranes will not prevent a CERF Certificate from being issued. Certificates must be 'renewed' or done annually for validity. While some breeders skip years or only CERF before breeding, it is well-recognized that continuing to CERF 'breeding dogs' into their old age would enable breeders to know the genetic disposition of their dogs eyes during its life time. Eye diseases, including cataracts, may develop at any point in the dogs life, and in fact, many eye diseases only occur later in the dogs life. Unfortunately, of the few Alaskan Malamute breeders who do use CERF examinations to screen for eye disease, many only do so at one or two years of age - and never again. Approximately 3000 Alaskan Malamutes have been given a CERF clearance over the past 20 years.
OFA Heart Certification for Alaskan Malamutes - Various defects which lead to mild or severe symptoms and ultimately death. Alaskan Malamutes are not immune to heart defects, and in fact have been diagnosed with the majority of heart defects affecting other breeds, though not in the numbers of some breeds. Several methods exist for screening for defective hearts. Unfortunately, too little 'study' or screening has gone to Alaskan Malamutes to know just how widespread, or tiny, the problem is, but in many other breeds (and humans) there is a widely recognized theory most heart defects are genetic in origin. While a few breeds have one or two 'DNA TESTS' to detect certain genes for the presence or absence of a heart disorder, there are none available for the Alaskan Malamute. Heart certifications make an attempt to 'clear' parents before they produce affected offspring. Typically, however, parents are screened AFTER an affected offspring has been born and diagnosed. Very, very few Alaskan Malamute breeders screen against heart defects. In other breeds, common heart screening practices dictate that the dogs are tested multiple times during their life, with 'the older the better'. Some breeds dictate 'breeding dogs' be tested for a final time at nine years of age. The rational is that many defects aren't actually 'detectable' (though some defects are and especially severe ones) until the dog is older. Many breeds do recognize a 'cleared heart certificate' on a dog under two years of age. While a Board-Certified Cardiologist (specialized heart vet with many years of training) is the best individual to perform such certifications. OFA recognizes cost and availability of such individuals may be limited and so also recognizes 'vet practitioners' may perform the diagnostics.
OFA Patella Certification for Alaskan Malamutes - uncommon disorder of the canine knee. Although it was originally thought that Patella luxation affects mainly small breeds, the last decade has seen the incidence increase in multiple larger breeds including the Alaskan Malamute. The Alaskan Malamute is known to suffer in indeterminable numbers from this painful condition largely because too few are checked to know how many dogs may actually have this condition. The Chinese shar pei, flat-coated retriever, Akita and Great Pyrenees. are all now considered predisposed to this disease - but only because breeders began to check and discovered these 'not affected' breeds were actually affected with the disorder and in rather large numbers. Cranial cruciate ligament tears / deficiency can also occur in dogs diagnosed with this and interestingly, a large number of Alaskan Malamutes are known to have cruciate problems. Other factors contributing to patellar luxation include: Hip dysplasia, Malformation of the femur and / or tibia, Deviation of the tibial crest, Tightness/atrophy of the quadriceps muscles, a ligament that may be too long. Patella luxation diagnosis is usually based on palpation of an unstable knee cap. Severity of diagnosis: Grade I: Knee cap can be manipulated out of its groove, but returns to its normal position spontaneously; Grade II: Knee cap rides out of its groove occasionally and can be replaced in the groove by manipulation; Grade III: Knee cap rides out of its groove most of the time but can be replaced in the groove via manipulation; Grade IV; Knee cap rides out of its groove all the time and cannot be replaced inside the groove.
OFA Thyroid Certification for Alaskan Malamutes - detects circulating anti thyroid antibodies in addition to high or low levels of various hormones. Autoimmune thyroiditis is the most common cause of primary hypothyroidism in dogs and again, while 'not many' Alaskan Malamutes have the disease, 'not many' are tested and even fewer are tested in the regular manner prescribed. Dogs may be clinically normal for years, only to become hypothyroid at a later date. The markers for autoimmune thyroiditis, autoantibody formation (auto-antibodies to thyroglobulin, T4 or T3), occur prior to the occurrence of clinical signs. It is recommended that examination occur at ages 2, 4, and 8 years of age. Most dogs are discovered with thyroid deficiency later in life, rather than earlier. Development of auto-antibodies at any time in the dogs life is an indication that the dog has the genetic form of the disease. Of almost 125 thyroid evaluations recorded in Alaskan Malamutes by the end of 2010, almost 25% have registered in various states of failure abnormality.
OFA Teeth Certification for Alaskan Malamutes - new - ensures correct count of teeth and is not concerned with bad bites, etc.
Alaskan Malamute CHIC # - awarded when an Alaskan Malamute has secured a CERF EXAM and HIP EXAM (does not need to pass either), for health testing. Many, many people are under the misguided impression that a Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) number indicates a 'healthy' dog who has passed all it's certifications. It does not. A CHIC number has nothing to do with a healthy dog. It means the dog has TAKEN whatever tests the 'parent club' for the breed has deemed important. Taken, not passed.The Alaskan Malamute Club of America mandates that 'hips and eyes' are the only tests required to receive a CHIC number and that the results are made available to the public. Thyroid testing is optional. Performing one single CERF exam and having OFA Hip Xrays (other forms of Hip testing do not count) performed will ensure your Alaskan Malamute gets his CHIC number. The dog need not pass either to receive the certificate and number. There are however, at least five OTHER physical tests for diseases known to occur in the Alaskan Malamute, along with various DNA or blood-based tests for conditions known to affect, and diagnose, the breed - and another four or five for coat colors and traits that have NOTHING to do with health. The coat length and color tests see more use than the DNA and blood health tests, combined! Other breeds require things such as a hips, elbows, hearts, patella physical exam (or more) along with a Complete Blood Panel (CBC), biochemistry profile and / or various DNA test results, multi year certifications for heart, thyroid or eye diseases and defects (a few even require Temperament Tests) to recieve a CHIC number - but not the Alaskan Malamute!
CHIC / AKC DNA Databank - CHIC also maintains a DNA Bank, co-sponsored by the OFA and the AKC/CHF, which collects and stores DNA samples of dogs along with corresponding genealogical and phenotype information for future research and testing to reduce the incidence of inherited disease in dogs. It is not a test, and there is no pass or fail associated with it. It just means blood or cheek cells from a dog has been donated for future use in creating DNA tests for the Alaskan Malamute.
CHD or CCC Certificate (not promoted in OFA or other health registries): CHD causes severe, visual deformities, in mostly the front legs of the affected animal - however the odd one 'almost' looks right, too. The only way to get a reasonable guarantee against 'dwarfism' is through test-breeding an unknown to a known, affected dog, or one who carries the defect (but is otherwise normal-looking). Ultimately, only a DNA test will guarentee disease (and carrier) -free status. Certificates maintain a 'low probability' of producing an affected dog. Unfortunately, many blood-tested dogs, untested siblings / relatives of 'cleared' dogs and 'wrong' dogs, were allowed 'clear' status over the years resulting in a mixed-value system. Originally, only test-bred dogs (or genetically-clear Kotzebue) were allowed 'in' but as the years went by various alternatives to include otherwise inelligible dogs in the program. Eventually, the system closed, disallowing various new dogs - for various reasons - and ultimately stifling the gene pool so that far more non-CHD Malamutes exist in the world, than the few who had the CHD Certificate. There are two organizations who authorize certificates - the AMCA CHD program or the Aust CHD program. The Australian program uses the original model established by the AMCA, which involves percentages of probability, while the AMCA eliminated percentages. AMCA returned to the percentage-based models the Aust program is using as of 2012. Ernie, Ooky and Tinker all have their CHD certificates from the Aust program and the US AMCA program. Unfortunately, a short while later, the entire CHD program was left in disarray as an 'affected' CHD puppy resulted from CHD Numbered Malamutes, Summer 2012. Everyone then learned the enitre program had innumerable inconsistencies, holes, and problems. Most have concluded if we really are worried about the disease, simply Xray puppies to see if it's actually there. Carriers live without any problems. All this has resulted in the program being suspended - and while some Malamutes had their CHD Certificate revoked - most didn't. This means all CHD certificates are, more-or-less, worthless. As of Fall 22012, no new CHD certificates are being issued for the US CHD program - and the information derived from the certificates already in existence, is deemed incorrect, wrong and not useful. While Ernie, Tinker and Ooky each still posess their 'numbers', as does any other Malamute who did not have them revoked, no new CHD Certificates will be issued, to anyone, anywhere. Most likely IF a DNA test for the disease is created, THAT will become the new standard for CHD assessment ...
OFA Elbow Certification for Alaskan Malamutes - degenerative disease of the elbows and associated components. Lameness is a classic sign of elbow dysplasia and may be almost undetectable or intermittent. Genetic and environmental factors, aggravate or inhibit its development and that can include rate of weight gain, amount of exercise, nutrition, etc. Studies have demonstrated inherited polygenic traits causing elbow dysplasia and while there are several, they may occur individually or independent of one another. See my link at Alaskan Malamute Hip and Elbow Dysplasia for more information.
Eye Certification (CERF for Alaskan Malamutes) - one CERF exam encompasses hundreds of diseases - but not ALL of them. According to the site, the Canine Eye Registration Foundation (CERF) is an organization founded by a group of concerned, purebred owner/breeders who recognized that the quality of their dog's lives were being affected by heritable eye disease. The CERF Registry not only registers dog's 'certified free of heritable eye disease' by board certified Veterinary Ophthalmologists (A.C.V.O. ), but also collects data on all dogs examined. Only a specially trained Ophthalmologists may perform the examination if a CERF Certificate is to be issued. Alaskan Malamutes are affected by a number of diseases, several of which are not actually detectable by CERF exam. While cataracts are considered one of the more widespread diseases in the Alaskan Malamute, several other diseases that affect the cornea, eyelid (and eyelash), retina and iris are also of concern. Many of these eye disorders cost thousands of dollars to treat and some require the surgical removal of the dogs eyes. In the Alaskan Malamute 'punctate cataract' and / or persistent pupilliary membranes will not prevent a CERF Certificate from being issued. Certificates must be 'renewed' or done annually for validity. While some breeders skip years or only CERF before breeding, it is well-recognized that continuing to CERF 'breeding dogs' into their old age would enable breeders to know the genetic disposition of their dogs eyes during its life time. Eye diseases, including cataracts, may develop at any point in the dogs life, and in fact, many eye diseases only occur later in the dogs life. Unfortunately, of the few Alaskan Malamute breeders who do use CERF examinations to screen for eye disease, many only do so at one or two years of age - and never again. Approximately 3000 Alaskan Malamutes have been given a CERF clearance over the past 20 years.
OFA Heart Certification for Alaskan Malamutes - Various defects which lead to mild or severe symptoms and ultimately death. Alaskan Malamutes are not immune to heart defects, and in fact have been diagnosed with the majority of heart defects affecting other breeds, though not in the numbers of some breeds. Several methods exist for screening for defective hearts. Unfortunately, too little 'study' or screening has gone to Alaskan Malamutes to know just how widespread, or tiny, the problem is, but in many other breeds (and humans) there is a widely recognized theory most heart defects are genetic in origin. While a few breeds have one or two 'DNA TESTS' to detect certain genes for the presence or absence of a heart disorder, there are none available for the Alaskan Malamute. Heart certifications make an attempt to 'clear' parents before they produce affected offspring. Typically, however, parents are screened AFTER an affected offspring has been born and diagnosed. Very, very few Alaskan Malamute breeders screen against heart defects. In other breeds, common heart screening practices dictate that the dogs are tested multiple times during their life, with 'the older the better'. Some breeds dictate 'breeding dogs' be tested for a final time at nine years of age. The rational is that many defects aren't actually 'detectable' (though some defects are and especially severe ones) until the dog is older. Many breeds do recognize a 'cleared heart certificate' on a dog under two years of age. While a Board-Certified Cardiologist (specialized heart vet with many years of training) is the best individual to perform such certifications. OFA recognizes cost and availability of such individuals may be limited and so also recognizes 'vet practitioners' may perform the diagnostics.
OFA Patella Certification for Alaskan Malamutes - uncommon disorder of the canine knee. Although it was originally thought that Patella luxation affects mainly small breeds, the last decade has seen the incidence increase in multiple larger breeds including the Alaskan Malamute. The Alaskan Malamute is known to suffer in indeterminable numbers from this painful condition largely because too few are checked to know how many dogs may actually have this condition. The Chinese shar pei, flat-coated retriever, Akita and Great Pyrenees. are all now considered predisposed to this disease - but only because breeders began to check and discovered these 'not affected' breeds were actually affected with the disorder and in rather large numbers. Cranial cruciate ligament tears / deficiency can also occur in dogs diagnosed with this and interestingly, a large number of Alaskan Malamutes are known to have cruciate problems. Other factors contributing to patellar luxation include: Hip dysplasia, Malformation of the femur and / or tibia, Deviation of the tibial crest, Tightness/atrophy of the quadriceps muscles, a ligament that may be too long. Patella luxation diagnosis is usually based on palpation of an unstable knee cap. Severity of diagnosis: Grade I: Knee cap can be manipulated out of its groove, but returns to its normal position spontaneously; Grade II: Knee cap rides out of its groove occasionally and can be replaced in the groove by manipulation; Grade III: Knee cap rides out of its groove most of the time but can be replaced in the groove via manipulation; Grade IV; Knee cap rides out of its groove all the time and cannot be replaced inside the groove.
OFA Thyroid Certification for Alaskan Malamutes - detects circulating anti thyroid antibodies in addition to high or low levels of various hormones. Autoimmune thyroiditis is the most common cause of primary hypothyroidism in dogs and again, while 'not many' Alaskan Malamutes have the disease, 'not many' are tested and even fewer are tested in the regular manner prescribed. Dogs may be clinically normal for years, only to become hypothyroid at a later date. The markers for autoimmune thyroiditis, autoantibody formation (auto-antibodies to thyroglobulin, T4 or T3), occur prior to the occurrence of clinical signs. It is recommended that examination occur at ages 2, 4, and 8 years of age. Most dogs are discovered with thyroid deficiency later in life, rather than earlier. Development of auto-antibodies at any time in the dogs life is an indication that the dog has the genetic form of the disease. Of almost 125 thyroid evaluations recorded in Alaskan Malamutes by the end of 2010, almost 25% have registered in various states of failure abnormality.
OFA Teeth Certification for Alaskan Malamutes - new - ensures correct count of teeth and is not concerned with bad bites, etc.
Alaskan Malamute CHIC # - awarded when an Alaskan Malamute has secured a CERF EXAM and HIP EXAM (does not need to pass either), for health testing. Many, many people are under the misguided impression that a Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) number indicates a 'healthy' dog who has passed all it's certifications. It does not. A CHIC number has nothing to do with a healthy dog. It means the dog has TAKEN whatever tests the 'parent club' for the breed has deemed important. Taken, not passed.The Alaskan Malamute Club of America mandates that 'hips and eyes' are the only tests required to receive a CHIC number and that the results are made available to the public. Thyroid testing is optional. Performing one single CERF exam and having OFA Hip Xrays (other forms of Hip testing do not count) performed will ensure your Alaskan Malamute gets his CHIC number. The dog need not pass either to receive the certificate and number. There are however, at least five OTHER physical tests for diseases known to occur in the Alaskan Malamute, along with various DNA or blood-based tests for conditions known to affect, and diagnose, the breed - and another four or five for coat colors and traits that have NOTHING to do with health. The coat length and color tests see more use than the DNA and blood health tests, combined! Other breeds require things such as a hips, elbows, hearts, patella physical exam (or more) along with a Complete Blood Panel (CBC), biochemistry profile and / or various DNA test results, multi year certifications for heart, thyroid or eye diseases and defects (a few even require Temperament Tests) to recieve a CHIC number - but not the Alaskan Malamute!
CHIC / AKC DNA Databank - CHIC also maintains a DNA Bank, co-sponsored by the OFA and the AKC/CHF, which collects and stores DNA samples of dogs along with corresponding genealogical and phenotype information for future research and testing to reduce the incidence of inherited disease in dogs. It is not a test, and there is no pass or fail associated with it. It just means blood or cheek cells from a dog has been donated for future use in creating DNA tests for the Alaskan Malamute.
CHD or CCC Certificate (not promoted in OFA or other health registries): CHD causes severe, visual deformities, in mostly the front legs of the affected animal - however the odd one 'almost' looks right, too. The only way to get a reasonable guarantee against 'dwarfism' is through test-breeding an unknown to a known, affected dog, or one who carries the defect (but is otherwise normal-looking). Ultimately, only a DNA test will guarentee disease (and carrier) -free status. Certificates maintain a 'low probability' of producing an affected dog. Unfortunately, many blood-tested dogs, untested siblings / relatives of 'cleared' dogs and 'wrong' dogs, were allowed 'clear' status over the years resulting in a mixed-value system. Originally, only test-bred dogs (or genetically-clear Kotzebue) were allowed 'in' but as the years went by various alternatives to include otherwise inelligible dogs in the program. Eventually, the system closed, disallowing various new dogs - for various reasons - and ultimately stifling the gene pool so that far more non-CHD Malamutes exist in the world, than the few who had the CHD Certificate. There are two organizations who authorize certificates - the AMCA CHD program or the Aust CHD program. The Australian program uses the original model established by the AMCA, which involves percentages of probability, while the AMCA eliminated percentages. AMCA returned to the percentage-based models the Aust program is using as of 2012. Ernie, Ooky and Tinker all have their CHD certificates from the Aust program and the US AMCA program. Unfortunately, a short while later, the entire CHD program was left in disarray as an 'affected' CHD puppy resulted from CHD Numbered Malamutes, Summer 2012. Everyone then learned the enitre program had innumerable inconsistencies, holes, and problems. Most have concluded if we really are worried about the disease, simply Xray puppies to see if it's actually there. Carriers live without any problems. All this has resulted in the program being suspended - and while some Malamutes had their CHD Certificate revoked - most didn't. This means all CHD certificates are, more-or-less, worthless. As of Fall 22012, no new CHD certificates are being issued for the US CHD program - and the information derived from the certificates already in existence, is deemed incorrect, wrong and not useful. While Ernie, Tinker and Ooky each still posess their 'numbers', as does any other Malamute who did not have them revoked, no new CHD Certificates will be issued, to anyone, anywhere. Most likely IF a DNA test for the disease is created, THAT will become the new standard for CHD assessment ...