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• Survey Statistics
• Hip Dysplasia
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy
• Cystinuria
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• Health Awards
• Health Award Winners
• Awards FAQ
• Sample Awards
• Longevity Certificates
• LC Holders
• Sample LC

Health Awards

"In an effort to encourage open sharing of health test results, beginning January 2004, the OFA will publish preliminary (under 24 months) hip and elbow results on the OFA website IF the owner has initialed the authorization block to release all results (including abnormal results)."

Health Awards Amended 5/9/03 at the Annual Meeting

"MCOA Health Awards be limited to MCOA members in good standing effective immediately."

Clarification by Louise Owens 10/2/03: All owners must be MCOA Members. The term "MCOA Members" includes MCOA Associate Members.

The MCOA does NOT endorse, nor recommend breeding based solely on the results of health testing.

From the FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions page):

When a Mastiff cannot qualify for a Health Award, does this mean that he/she should not be bred?

No, not necessarily, it would depend on why they cannot qualify - which defect they have and how severe the defect is. It would also depend on the other strengths and weaknesses of the Mastiff in question and the strengths and weaknesses of his/her relatives. The whole Mastiff must be considered when breeding decisions are made.

When a Mastiff receives an Award does that mean that he/she should be bred?

No, the whole Mastiff must be considered. Being able to obtain a Health Award is NOT a sufficient reason, by itself, to breed a Mastiff. Other factors to consider are temperament, "breed type", other health issues not covered by the Health Awards and the strengths and weaknesses of the Mastiff's relatives.

Longevity Certificates 1/03

Certificates

A listing of all Mastiffs and owners/breeders receiving a Health Certificate will be included in the MCOA Journal Supplement each quarter as well as being listed here on the MCOA web site.

Health Award Requirements

The MCOA will present a Health Award Certificate to the owner of a Mastiff who has passed health testing as specified below when provided with the required documentation. Membership in the MCOA is required to receive an Award as of 5/9/03. The Awards will be in three levels, Bronze, Silver, and Gold, with Bronze being the minimum and Gold being the maximum award achieved at this time.

NOTE: There is now a similar certificate available thru the Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) that is available to all Mastiff owners.

Bronze Level

Passing OFA, OVC, or GDC hips, OFA, OVC, or GDC elbows, and CERF certified.

Silver Level

Passing OFA, OVC, or GDC hips, OFA, OVC, or GDC elbows, CERF certified, OFA heart and passing MSU or other lab's equivalent full thyroid panel and/or OFA Thyroid Certification.

Gold Level

Passing OFA, OVC, or GDC hips, OFA, OVC, or GDC elbows, OFA heart, OFA patella, CERF certified, passing MSU or other lab's equivalent full thyroid panel and/or OFA Thyroid Certification, vWD normal, UPenn cystinuria normal.

Permanent Awards

CERF at 6 years of age or older on Bronze

CERF and Thyroid at 6 years of age or older on Silver and Gold

• OFA, OVC, GDC hips and elbows to be based on x-rays taken at, or after, 24 months of age.
• OFA heart and patellas to be at 12 months or older.
• CERF certification and thyroid exam to be within one year of submitting all testing data, but must be performed at or after 24 months of age.
• UPenn cystinuria test and vWD test to be performed at any age and only once is required.
• CERF certification must be sent to the Awards committee annually to keep the Award current.
• Grandfather: we now accept CERF certificates and OFA or passing full Thyroid panels prior to 1999 if the Mastiff was 6 years old or older at the time that the CERF eye exam or passing Thyroid panel was performed.

Certificates to be reflective of the level achieved, bordered in bronze, silver, or gold, with a matching embossed seal. A small seal bearing the current year will be attached to the original certificate and sent to each recipient of the Award when the CERF certification is verified. The certificate is valid only for the time period that the CERF certificate is in effect and will expire on the CERF expiration date. Owners must send in a current CERF certificate to renew the Health Award in order to keep it current and will receive a new seal bearing the current expiration date.

A copy of the Health Award will be sent to the breeder of the Mastiff receiving the award. A new Award will be issued to the owner when additional test results are received such that the Mastiff is eligible to move up to the next level of achievement, until they achieve the Gold level.

To apply for an MCOA Health Award, fill out the Health Award Application Form. Submit the form, copies (not originals) of all test results and certificates, AKC registration, and the breeders name and address. Microchip number or tattoo, and DNA numbers are optional and will be included on the Award if submitted. Send to:

The level of achievement award will be based on the test results submitted with the Application. All information will be verified before any certificate is awarded.

The owner sending in the data and the breeder will receive Award Certificates. It is up to the owner to send copies to other co-owners or to supply all co-owners names and addresses if the copies are to be sent by the committee. Additional original duplicates of a certificate may be purchased by the owner for $5.00 each.

The following are some sites with additional information about health testing:

• Canine Health Information Center (CHIC)
• Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA)
• Canine Eye Registration Foundation (CERF)
• Cystinuria
• Endocrinology FAQ... Thyroid Function In Dogs
• Please Test Your Mastiffs

Chair:

Karen Flocker - (480) 632-5240 mastiffmom@cox.net 

Members:

Anne Healy (281) 930-0706 MYKANN@aol.com 
Jan McNamee (330) 648-9427 windfallmastiffs@hughes.net 
Diana Van Sandt - Longevity Certificates - (719) 749-0035 farpoint@vansandts.com