Health Testing Explained

Understanding Results

We believe educated puppy buyers make the best decisions. We encourage every family to research the health tests relevant to the breed they are considering and to understand what the results actually mean, rather than relying solely on information provided by any breeder, including us.

Health testing should always be interpreted within the context of the individual breed. For example, a PennHIP Distraction Index (DI) of 0.30 in an Old English Sheepdog cannot be directly compared with a DI of 0.30 in a Standard Poodle or another breed, as every breed has its own distribution of results, breed average and breed median. The most meaningful comparison is how a dog performs relative to others within its own breed.

Similarly, VetScoring results should always be interpreted against the published breed average rather than comparing scores between different breeds. A score that is exceptional for one breed may be average for another.

While individual health test results are important, no single test should ever be viewed in isolation. Ethical breeding decisions consider DNA testing, PennHIP, VetScoring, elbow assessments, temperament, structure, pedigree, genetic diversity (COI), overall health and the strengths and weaknesses of both dogs being paired.

Our goal is not simply to show you our dogs’ results, but to help you understand them. We believe informed puppy buyers are best placed to compare breeding programs and make decisions based on evidence rather than marketing claims.

Every health testing summary published by Falconwood is taken directly from the original, verifiable laboratory or veterinary reports. Unedited copies of each parent dog’s health testing certificates are provided to our puppy families, allowing them to independently verify every result for themselves.  This is unique to Falconwood and we have been doing this for puppy parents since 2023.

Falconwood Health Testing Authenticity Guarantee

For every Falconwood-owned breeding dog, we guarantee that any original health testing reports provided to our puppy families are true and unaltered copies of the reports issued by the original laboratory or veterinary practice.

If it is proven that Falconwood has intentionally altered, fabricated or misrepresented an original health testing report for a Falconwood-owned breeding dog, we will refund the full purchase price of the puppy.

This guarantee applies only to the authenticity of documents provided by Falconwood. It does not apply to errors, amendments or corrections made by the issuing laboratory or veterinary practice, nor does it apply to documentation originating from third-party dog owners or outside stud dogs. Where an outside stud is used, Falconwood will provide the documentation supplied by that dog’s owner but cannot guarantee the authenticity of records that originate from third parties.

Any claim under this guarantee must be supported by the original records held by the issuing laboratory or veterinary practice.