The Health Initiative
Transparency. Testing. The Future of the Breed.
The APCA is committed to encouraging health testing and informed breeding decisions across the Presa Canario community. We do not diagnose or perform testing ourselves — we support and document the results that owners and breeders choose to obtain through qualified veterinary professionals and recognized testing programs.
Recognized Programs
Health Tests We Encourage
OFA Hip Evaluation
Radiographic evaluation of hip joint conformation to screen for hip dysplasia.
Learn more →OFA Elbow Evaluation
Radiographic evaluation of the elbow joints to screen for elbow dysplasia.
Learn more →PennHIP
A radiographic method measuring hip joint laxity, a key risk indicator for hip dysplasia.
Learn more →Embark Genetic Screening
A DNA-based screening panel covering genetic health markers, traits, and ancestry.
Learn more →Cardiac Testing
Veterinary cardiac examination to screen for congenital or acquired heart conditions.
Learn more →Eye Examination
A veterinary ophthalmologic examination to screen for inherited and acquired eye conditions.
Learn more →OFA Hip Evaluation
What It Screens
Screens for laxity and malformation of the hip joint associated with canine hip dysplasia.
Typical Age
Typically performed once a dog has reached full skeletal maturity, commonly at 24 months or older for a final rating.
How Results Are Reported
Results are reported as a categorical rating (such as Excellent, Good, Fair, Borderline, or a dysplastic grade) by board-certified veterinary radiologists.
OFA Elbow Evaluation
What It Screens
Screens for degenerative joint changes and developmental abnormalities of the elbow.
Typical Age
Performed at full skeletal maturity, generally alongside hip radiographs.
How Results Are Reported
Results are reported as Normal or graded by severity of abnormal findings.
PennHIP
What It Screens
Measures passive hip joint laxity using a distraction index, which can be assessed earlier than traditional hip radiographs.
Typical Age
Can typically be performed from as early as 16 weeks of age by a certified PennHIP veterinarian.
How Results Are Reported
Results are reported as a distraction index compared against breed-specific percentile rankings.
Embark Genetic Screening
What It Screens
Screens for a panel of known inherited conditions and provides breed composition and relatedness information.
Typical Age
Can be performed at any age via a cheek swab sample.
How Results Are Reported
Results are reported online as clear, carrier, or at-risk for each condition included in the panel.
Cardiac Testing
What It Screens
Screens the heart for murmurs, rhythm abnormalities, and structural concerns, which may include auscultation and, when indicated, echocardiogram.
Typical Age
Commonly performed at adulthood and periodically thereafter as recommended by a veterinarian.
How Results Are Reported
Results are reported by the examining veterinarian or cardiologist as normal or with noted findings.
Eye Examination
What It Screens
Screens the eyes for hereditary conditions and other abnormalities of the ocular structures.
Typical Age
Typically performed in adulthood and may be repeated periodically.
How Results Are Reported
Results are reported by a veterinary ophthalmologist, often through a standardized eye certification exam.
Long-Term Health Data
What It Screens
Tracks health outcomes over time, beyond a single point-in-time test, when owners and breeders submit updates.
Typical Age
Collected throughout a dog's life as records are submitted.
How Results Are Reported
Compiled on the dog's APCA profile as a history of submitted documentation, when available.
On the Registry
How Health Records Appear on APCA Profiles
When an owner or breeder submits documentation for a completed health test, the record is reviewed and, once confirmed, displayed on the dog's public APCA profile alongside its registration information. This allows prospective puppy buyers and fellow members to see what testing has been documented for a given dog. Profiles reflect only the documentation that has been submitted; the absence of a listed test does not necessarily mean it has not been performed, only that a record has not been received.
For Owners & Breeders
Submit Health Records
Health record submission will be available directly through the APCA owner and breeder portal.
Portal submission coming soon
In the meantime, contact the association to submit documentation. Contact APCA
Verified records
See Health Documentation on the Registry
Search verified APCA records to see the health documentation submitted for a given dog.