How to Verify Dog OFA Results and Spot AI-Generated Fakes
- Sierra Combs
- 2 days ago
- 6 min read
When you’re looking to learn about a dog’s health, especially regarding genetic and orthopedic conditions, the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) results are a key resource. These results help breeders, owners, and veterinarians understand a dog’s risk for certain inherited diseases. But with the rise of AI technology, some people have started creating fake OFA results, which can mislead buyers and harm breeding programs. This post explains how to find authentic OFA results and how to recognize AI-generated fakes.
What Are OFA Results and Why Do They Matter?
The OFA is a nonprofit organization that evaluates dogs for genetic diseases, especially those affecting bones and joints. Common tests include hip and elbow dysplasia evaluations, cardiac exams, and eye certifications. These results are public records that help breeders make informed decisions to reduce hereditary health problems.
Why OFA Results Matter
Knowing a dog’s OFA status is important because:
✔️ It helps prevent passing on genetic disorders
✔️ It supports responsible, ethical breeding practices
✔️ It protects puppy buyers from avoidable heartbreak
✔️ It promotes long-term breed health
✔️ It provides transparency and accountability
For working and hunting breeds especially, sound structure and health are critical for longevity and performance.
Common OFA tests include:
Hip Dysplasia evaluations
Elbow Dysplasia evaluations
Cardiac (heart) exams
Eye certifications (CAER exams)
Thyroid and patella evaluations
Breed-specific genetic screenings
All official OFA results are entered into a public database, which allows breeders and buyers to verify health testing.
How to Find Authentic OFA Results
Finding genuine OFA results is straightforward if you know where to look and what to expect.
Step 1: Use the Official OFA Database
The only fully reliable source is the official OFA website:
You can search by:
Dog’s registered name
OFA registration number
Kennel name (then filter by breed)
The database will show:
Test type
Date of evaluation
Age at evaluation
Final result
OFA certification number
If results cannot be found there, they do not exist.
Step 2: Verify the Dog’s Identity
Make sure the following match exactly:
Registered name
Breed
Date of birth
Registration numbers
Reputable breeders typically:
List the full registered name
Provide the OFA link directly
Encourage buyers to verify themselves
If they avoid providing a link, ask for it.
Step 3: Check the Report Details
If a breeder only provides a certificate image, confirm it includes:
✔️ Dog’s registered name, breed, and DOB
✔️ Dog’s age at time of evaluation
✔️ Type of test performed
✔️ Official OFA Application Number
✔️ Official OFA Certification Number
✔️ Clear result (e.g., Excellent, Good, Fair, Normal, Clear)
✔️ Owner name (address may be redacted for safety)
✔️ Signature from OFA Chief of Veterinary Services
Missing details or altered formatting should raise concern.
Why Fake OFA Results Are a Growing Concern
With advances in AI, it’s easier than ever to create convincing fake documents. Some breeders or sellers might use AI tools to generate fake OFA certificates to make a dog appear healthier or better bred than it really is.
Fake OFA results can:
Mislead buyers into paying more for a dog with unknown health risks.
Undermine trust in responsible breeders.
Contribute to the spread of genetic diseases.
How to Spot AI-Generated Fake OFA Results
Here are practical tips to identify fake OFA documents, especially those created with AI:
Look for Inconsistencies in Formatting
AI-generated documents may have subtle errors in fonts, spacing, or alignment. Compare the document to known authentic OFA reports. Differences in logos, seals, or official stamps are red flags.
Verify the Certification Number
Each OFA report has a unique certification number. Enter this number on the official OFA website. If the number doesn’t match or isn’t found, the document is likely fake.
Check for Unusual Language or Grammar
AI tools sometimes produce awkward phrasing or unusual word choices. Authentic OFA reports use consistent, professional language.
Use Reverse Image Search
If the document includes images or logos, a reverse image search can reveal if the image was copied from another source or altered.
Prelims
Something many people don’t realize: the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals does not issue certificates for preliminary (prelim) evaluations. Prelims are recorded in the database, but they do not come with an official OFA certificate like final clearances do. So if someone presents a “prelim certificate,” that’s an immediate red flag. The only way to confirm authenticity is by verifying the dog’s registered name and OFA number directly in the official database. If it’s real, it will be searchable — and it will match exactly. OFA will only post preliminary results on its public website if the dog is at least 12 months old at the time of the X-ray, permanently identified (microchip or tattoo), and the owner has authorized the release of all results, including abnormal ones.
What About PennHIP?
PennHIP (Pennsylvania Hip Improvement Program) is another method used to evaluate hip quality in dogs. Unlike OFA, PennHIP measures hip laxity using a distraction index (DI) to predict the likelihood of developing hip dysplasia later in life. It can be performed as early as 16 weeks of age and is widely respected for its scientific, quantitative approach.
However, PennHIP results are not automatically public. The results are sent to the owner and the submitting veterinarian, but they are not searchable in a public database the way OFA results are.
If a breeder wants transparency, PennHIP results can be recorded with the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals for a small fee (currently $25). Once submitted to OFA, the PennHIP results become publicly searchable in the OFA database alongside other health testing results.
If a breeder has performed PennHIP evaluations and has not submitted them, it's likely that the breed also necessitates additional health tests like elbows, eyes, etc., and the dog should still have an OFA link containing that information for those tests. You can then check that the details on the PennHIP report align with the OFA information (age/breed/dob/AKC number/AKC name). PennHIP reports also include the name of the vet who conducted the evaluations, allowing you to contact the vet to confirm they took the dog's radiographs.
I didn't submit PennHIP evaluations to OFA for some of my older dogs because I wasn't aware it was an option. However, for all of our current and future dogs, we submit PennHIP evaluations unless we bought the dog and it already had a valid and passing OFA evaluation, in which case, we might not redo it with PennHIP, but I still have all of those reports on hand.
Why This Matters
Because PennHIP is not automatically public:
Buyers cannot independently verify results unless they are recorded with OFA.
A breeder should be willing to provide a full copy of the original PennHIP report.
For maximum transparency, responsible breeders often submit PennHIP results to OFA so they can be publicly confirmed.
As with any health testing, transparency is key. If results are legitimate, a breeder should have no hesitation sharing the full report or making them publicly verifiable.
Why Some Breeders Don’t Send Copies of Certificates
It’s important to understand that a breeder declining to email copies of health certificates is not automatically a red flag.
Unfortunately, legitimate OFA and health testing certificates are sometimes stolen, altered, or reused by unethical sellers to scam buyers. A real certificate can be downloaded, edited, and attached to a completely different dog’s name in minutes. Because of this, some responsible breeders choose not to freely distribute digital copies of certificates.
However, if the dog’s health testing is properly recorded with the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, that is perfectly acceptable — and often preferable. The OFA database is the official, tamper-resistant verification system. It allows buyers to confirm:
The dog’s registered name
The type of testing performed
The age at evaluation
The final results
The official certification number
Public database verification is far more secure than relying on a PDF or photo of a certificate.
In short: A breeder may protect their documents from misuse — and that’s reasonable. What matters most is that the results are publicly searchable and verifiable. Transparency through the official database is stronger than a copy sent through email.
Quizz time: Check OFA for yourself on the certificates below using the "Search tool."
Can you spot the real certificate from the fake?
At first glance, both documents might look official — proper logos, signatures, even certification numbers. But only one can be verified through the official Orthopedic Foundation for Animals database. The real certificate will match the dog’s registered name, breed, date of birth, testing date, and certification number exactly when searched online. The fake may look convincing, but small inconsistencies in formatting, mismatched information, or an unsearchable certification number will give it away. Always verify — because if it’s real, you can find it.
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