The CHIC Program

[JennSLK]

Canine Health Information Center

What do you guys think about it. I like it but I have my issues with it.

Doberman: Canine Health Information Center: CHIC Information A CHIC # can be hard to get in canada. We do not have alot of WAC's. That means days of travel to find one. I would say 90% of breeders are not going to travel for 12+ (EASY) just for a CHIC. It would be nice if they had them in Canada with the specialties. Also if you look, it lists 4 hip evaluations. I emailed just for a clarifcation, but they way its written it could be interpeted as needing an evaluation from all 4.

I also dont understand why they have elective tests. The breed either needs it or it doesnt.

It seems like almost every breeds needs cario or thyroid testing. I agree with the thyroid, but even B&T Coonhounds (my other breed) need cardio testing. Cardio is not a concern in the breed.

 

[Kat09Tails]

Aren't the testing requirements set by the parent club?

 

[JennSLK]

As far as I know its set by OFA, at least for some breeds.

 

[Kat09Tails]

From the Neo Mastiff club of america page

CHIC inclusion/testing
Robin proposed that the MHF create breed testing requirements for Neapolitan Mastiff inclusion in the CHIC scheme. Lisa contacted CHIC to find out what the guidelines for breed inclusion where, according to CHIC the breed health committee is in charge of creating these guidelines but our recommendations go to the CHIC committee and they would most likely require us to choose a hip testing scheme either
OFA, PennHip, OVC, BVA or FCI.

So I guess it's possible that CHIC decided part of it. It looks like the majority of the tests are decided by breed club. So I guess if you disagree with a requirement maybe the health committee for your breed club would be the place to start.

 

[Kat09Tails]

From Canine Health Information Center: CHIC Information

Breed Specific

Core to the CHIC philosophy is the realization that each breed has different health concerns. Not all diseases have known modes of inheritance, nor do all diseases have screening tests. Some screening tests are based on phenotypic evaluation, others on genetic testing. With all these variables, a key element of CHIC is to customize or tailor the CHIC requirements to the needs of each breed. These unique requirements are established through input from the parent club prior to the breed's entry into the CHIC program. Breed specific requirements typically consist of the inherited diseases that are of the greatest concern and for which some screening test is available. Each parent club also drives specific screening protocols. As an example, one parent club may allow cardiac exams to be performed by a general practitioner. Another parent club may require the exam to be performed by a board certified cardiologist. A club may also use the CHIC program to maintain information on other health issues for anecdotal purposes. Later, as screening tests become available, the disease may be added to the breed specific requirements.

It kind of covers why some are optional, but very encouraged. I know some of the ones for my lab were INSANELY expensive. Prohibitively so. So I am thinking as the test prices come down to a more reasonable level that they would become a requirement.

 

[SizzleDog]

I believe the DPCA set the requirements for Dobes.

 

[Gypsydals]

The DCA has set the required tests for Dals.

 

[Grab]

The Chow club set the requirements for the breed as well

 

[mom2dogs]

In short, CHIC is a database of consolidated health screening results from multiple sources. Co-sponsored by the OFA and the AKC Canine Health Foundation, CHIC works with parent clubs to identify health screening protocols appropriate for individual breeds. Dogs tested in accordance with the parent club established requirements, that have their results registered and made available in the public domain are issued CHIC numbers.

Canine Health Information Center: FAQs

My dogs will probably never get a CHIC number just because I don't submit their test results.

 

[MafiaPrincess]

The cocker CHIC I could live without.

It's CERF and hips. I could care less about cocker hips on the whole. I want to see knees. Hips aren't a big issue. Knees are.. and too few people test them.

 

[JennSLK]

I guess my thing with it was, is why are somethings optional? Its either a problem with the breed and should be tested or it isnt.

 

[SpringerLover]

A lot of breed clubs list the "absolute necessity" and then other suggested tests, because there isn't a lot of information about the status of the breed regarding that.

I, for one, love the CHIC program. It isn't perfect, but what is? There's thoughtful effort put into the health and wellbeing of a breed.

English Springer Spaniels do not currently participate in the CHIC program, but there's been talk of requirements being set. I'm excited to see what they decide upon.

 

[rutylr]

The problem with the whole CHIC ,you can fail all tests and still get a CHIC number.
Sure I know it's about testing and telling,but if you don't pass you should not get a number...

 

[colliewog]

No surprise, Collies aren't in the database. Anything more than an eyecheck (when THAT is done) is rare ... I'd love to see them in there with CERF, Hips and MDR1 testing ...

 

[Kat09Tails]

The problem with the whole CHIC ,you can fail all tests and still get a CHIC number.
Sure I know it's about testing and telling,but if you don't pass you should not get a number...

Just like registration numbers it's just a number with recorded data, happily being chic registered or even having things in the OFA database leaves it open to public review and easy access which I like way more than self reporting. I know my lab's pedigree has pretty open available information for the last 4-5 generations. I won't purchase a dog without that record on parents anymore, even better is grandparents.