The Truth About Health Testing in Siberian Huskies

What Every Puppy Buyer Needs to Know

If you are looking for a responsibly bred Siberian Husky, health testing should be one of your first questions, not an afterthought. Unfortunately, many puppy buyers are told things like “vet checked” or “healthy lines” without understanding what those statements actually mean, or what they leave out.

Health testing is not about perfection. It is about transparency, informed decision-making, and reducing avoidable risk wherever possible.

What Health Testing Actually Is

Health testing goes far beyond a routine veterinary exam. While regular vet care is important, it does not screen for inherited or breed-specific conditions that may not appear until later in life.

For Siberian Huskies, breed clubs and veterinary specialists recommend a defined set of screenings to evaluate known genetic and orthopedic risks. These tests are typically recorded and publicly accessible through organizations such as the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals.

Recommended evaluations for Siberian Huskies include:

• Hip evaluations to assess for dysplasia or joint abnormalities, performed through OFA or PennHIP

• Annual eye examinations conducted by a veterinary ophthalmologist to screen for inherited eye disease

• Genetic testing for conditions known to affect the breed, including Siberian Husky Polyneuropathy (SHPN1) and Shaking Puppy Syndrome (SPS1)

When these results are submitted and made publicly available, a dog may receive a Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) number. It is important to understand that a CHIC number does not mean a dog passed every test. It means the breeder completed the recommended screenings and chose transparency over omission.

Why Health Testing Matters

Genetic conditions do not announce themselves early. A puppy can appear healthy for months or even years before a hereditary issue becomes apparent.

When breeders skip testing, there is no reliable way to:

• Predict inherited disease risk

• Make responsible breeding decisions

• Offer meaningful health guarantees

• Protect future generations of dogs

Families are often left facing significant emotional and financial strain when preventable conditions surface later in a dog’s life. Health testing cannot eliminate all risk, but it dramatically improves the odds of producing healthier dogs and making informed choices.

Responsible breeders test not because problems are expected, but because they are accountable for what they produce.

Common Red Flags Puppy Buyers Should Recognize

Certain statements sound reassuring but should prompt further questions.

“Our puppies are vet checked.”A veterinary exam confirms current health only. It does not replace genetic or orthopedic testing.

“We’ve never had issues in our lines.”Many inherited conditions do not appear until adulthood. Without documentation, this claim cannot be verified.

“Health testing isn’t necessary for pet puppies.”A puppy’s future health matters regardless of whether they are intended for breeding or companionship.

Refusal or hesitation to share results.Ethical breeders are transparent and comfortable directing buyers to public testing databases.

If health testing is absent from a breeder’s website, social media, or conversations, that absence is meaningful.

Questions Puppy Buyers Should Ask

A responsible breeder should be able to answer the following clearly and without defensiveness:

• Can I see the health testing results for both parents?

• Which genetic conditions are tested for in this breed?

• Are results publicly available through OFA or CHIC?

• How do you use health testing information in breeding decisions?

• What does your health guarantee cover, and why?

Clear answers demonstrate preparation and accountability, not inconvenience.

Looking Ahead: Health Testing as a Standard, Not a Bonus

Advances in genetic research continue to improve our understanding of inherited disease in Siberian Huskies. The addition of newer genetic screenings has strengthened the ability to make responsible decisions and protect the breed’s future.

Health testing should never be viewed as optional or “extra.” It is a baseline responsibility for anyone choosing to breed.

For puppy buyers, understanding what health testing truly means empowers you to ask better questions, recognize red flags, and choose breeders who prioritize long-term wellbeing over convenience or cost.