Why do dogs that fail a test have a CHIC number?
CHIC numbers are assigned for both affected and unaffected dogs if the dog has had the required tests and the owner has signed the release for the information to be public. The decision lies in the hands of the owner. “The CHIC number itself does not imply normal test results, nor should it be interpreted as a ‘stamp of approval ‘ for breeding. The CHIC number only indicates that all the required breed specific tests were performed and the results made publicly available.” (Eddie Dzuik, OFA, Chief Operating Officer, CHIC Program Administrator) Note: The owner must sign to release the test abnormal results (with the exception of certain databases such as the OFA thyroid registry, for which owner signs a release at the time of submission of the sample). By refusing to sign, the owner can keep results private, but therefore by definition, is not participating in CHIC.
