Health Testing

Each year we offer different types of health testing depending on the Pumifest location. However the DNA Blood Draw is offered every year.

CHIC DNA Blood Draw

We are creating a DNA repository for our breed which will be stored by the OFA Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) Program for future use by researchers looking for genes for particular hereditary diseases. When they want to do research, they will have access to blood (i.e. DNA) from a number of dogs. This has already proven useful in determining that there were Pumik that were carriers of Degenerative Myelopathy in the US.

The cost is normally $20 plus a vet visit to have this done. CHIC is subsidizing half the cost, so the total cost to you for each dog is only $10. This is a wonderful opportunity for our breed. It will provide a DNA repository for any health problems that may surface in the Pumi. (This program shouldn’t be confused with AKC’s DNA identification program, which is separate, not a repository, and also a good idea for fool-proof identification of your dog of the offspring of your dogs.)

This link https://www.ofa.org/about/dna-repository will give you more information.

You can pay for the blood draw from the Pumifest Registration page, but you must send the following to Heather Stimson prior to Pumifest:

• DNA Application & Health History (download and fill out)
• 3 generation pedigree of your dog

If you don’t have a 3 generation pedigree, you can order one from AKC or get it from your dog’s breeder. Submit them to Heather Stimson via email at copperkennel@gmail.com, or they can be mailed to Heather Stimson, 45 Patricia Way, Lillington NC 27546.  Questions on any of this may be directed to Heather, as well.

If you don’t remember if your dog has contributed some of his blood, below is the list of dogs that have donated.

If Your Pumi Has Already Donated Blood to the Blood Bank

You only need to donate once for each Pumi.  However, if your dog has DNA banked in the CHIC DNA Repository and has had any significant health status changes since filling out the original health survey, please remember to email the OFA with updates. Include the dog’s name/number, as well as any updated diagnosis. As the number of researchers interested in this resource continues to increase, it is important to keep the health histories up to date, as that is typically the primary selection criteria for supplying samples to a given research proposal. Email updates to: ofa@offa.org.
Thank You!

Pumik That Have Already Donated