Pyrenean Mastiff Health Testing

Official PMAA Health Statement -

The Pyrenean Mastiff Association of America (PMAA) Board of Directors is committed to the future health and well-being of the Pyrenean Mastiff. As such, it is strongly recommended that health screening tests be conducted for both sire and dam in all breeding programs.

The Pyrenean Mastiff is a generally healthy breed with a life expectancy of 10-12 years.

The PMAA recommends that Pyrenean Mastiff breeders perform the following physical health screenings on all breeding stock with submission to OFA, Orthopedic Foundation for Animals - The Canine Health Information Center:

OFA Hips – a hip radiograph at 2 years of age or older to rule out conditions which can occur in any giant breed.
- Hip & Elbow OFA Application -

When completing this form be sure to initial the section that allows for results to be public if abnormal.

OFA Elbows – an elbow radiograph at 2 years of age or older to rule out conditions which can occur in any giant breed.
- Hip & Elbow OFA Application -

When completing this form be sure to initial the section that allows for results to be public if abnormal.

OFA Heart – auscultation by a General Practitioner or by a Board-Certified Veterinary Cardiologist at 2 years of age or older to rule out conditions which can affect the heart.
- Basic Cardiac OFA Application -

It is possible to have an abnormal Basic Cardiac (auscultation) and a normal Advanced Cardiac (Echocardiogram). It is important that if you have an abnormal Basic Cardiac for your dog that it is folllowed up by an Advance Cardiac test to rule out possible heart conditions. Advanced Cardiac forms can only be obtained by a Board Certified Cardiologist.

Genetic testing and submission of results to OFA to rule out risk of Degenerative Myleopathy which can affect the spinal cord.
- Application for DNA Based Genetic Diseases -

Dogs tested in accordance with these four protocols are recognized with a Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) number and certification.

Additionally, the PMAA encourages breeders to conduct the following optional tests prior to breeding to ensure that offspring are unaffected by these conditions:

OFA Spine radiographs at 2 years of age or older are optional to better understand potential conditions affecting the spine in the breed.
- Application for DNA Based Genetic Diseases -

Be sure to download whatever report showing microchip number, Dog's registered name and DM Result to attach with Application.

OFA Companion Animal Eye Registry after 1 year of age to gather information related to eye conditions that may be affecting the breed.
- Submission forms can only be obtained by an Opthamologist.

There are other conditions which may affect the breed such as Addison’s Disease, Autoimmune Conditions, Epilepsy, Cancers such as Osteosarcoma, Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus (GDV), subluxation or hock instability and idiopathic trembling of rear legs. These conditions can be discussed with your breeder if there are any concerns.

The PMAA is currently working on worldwide data collection efforts regarding breed health to have a better understanding of potential conditions that could impact the breed.

This Health statement was updated and approved by the Pyrenean Mastiff Association of America Board of Directors on November 24th, 2024 .

Contact: Karina Whittington, President

Pyrenean Mastiff Association of America

Pyreneanmastiffassociation@gmail.com

Semi-Open to Open Database -

If you forget to initial the box to release abnormal results on hip and elbow submission or you have another abnormal health test that is not showing up as public you can correct this but submitting the following form to OFA to release the result publicly.

Completing forms online -

For ease, especially when submitting mutliple dogs, OFA has the ability to complete forms online by going here - OFA Applications.

Submitting to OFA -

Hip and Elbow OFA forms are generally submitted by the veterinarian who performs the x-rays.

Basic Cardiac and Genetic Diseases can be submitted using OFA's Online Portal, by emailing documents to OFA, or mailing documents to OFA.

Online Submission -
- You can visit online.ofa.org/login and create an account.
- From here you can go to the "Applications" section, at the top you will see a search bar and to the right of that a plus (+) sign. Click he plus sign.
- Now you will complete your dog's information.
- Next you will select the following option:
- Follow the remaining instructions.

What is the CHIC Certification Program?

The OFA created the Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) by partnering with participating parent clubs to research and maintain information on the health issues prevalent in specific breeds. They've established a recommended protocol for breed-specific health screenings. Dogs tested in accordance with that protocol are recognized with a CHIC number and certification.

At OFA, they recognize that the more information stored and accessible in these databases, the better it will be for every breed. And so we encourage all breeders to attain CHIC Certification if their breed participates in the CHIC program.

A dog achieves CHIC Certification if it has been screened for every disease recommended by the parent club for that breed and those results are publicly available in the database. See the recommended screenings by breed.

CHIC Certification is automatically issued 1-2 weeks after all health testing is submitted and public.

For Puppy Buyers:

You can search the parents of any puppy you plan to buy in the OFA database. The easiest way is to either search by registered name or you can search by Breed.

DOWNLOAD

OFA Applications

Breed Standard: About