Health Testing at GALA

Clear Standards. No Guesswork. No Noise. When it comes to Australian Labradoodle health testing, more isn’t always better. If you’ve looked at different breeders, you’ve likely seen lists of health tests.

More isn’t always better.

At GALA, we believe responsible breeding requires both meaningful health testing and thoughtful stewardship of genetic diversity. Health testing helps breeders make informed decisions, but lifelong health is also influenced by nutrition, exercise, weight management, preventative care, and puppy-raising practices. By balancing science-based testing with the preservation of healthy bloodlines, we work to support the long-term health and vitality of the Australian Labradoodle breed. Our goal is simple: to help every GALA Australian Labradoodle puppy get the healthiest, happiest start in life possible.

How GALA Decides What to Test

Every required test must meet three criteria:

It is relevant to the Australian Labradoodle

It identifies a real, heritable condition

It provides actionable information for breeding decisions

If a test does not meet all three, it is not part of our requirements. This prevents confusion for families, misleading claims, and the unnecessary removal of good breeding dogs.

GALA has a clear goal: protect health without compromising genetic diversity.

Transparency You Can Verify

Health testing only has value if results are honest and visible.

That’s why GALA requires:

OFA hips and elbows with full public disclosure All members must authorize OFA to publish results, including abnormal findings. This ensures there is no ability to hide or withhold unfavourable results.

Appropriate age at testing Dogs must be over one year of age before structural evaluations are completed. Testing too early can produce unreliable results and does not reflect true development.

This level of transparency protects both breeders making pairing decisions and families trying to choose responsibly.

Our Approach to Genetic Results

Not all genetic results require elimination from breeding.

At GALA:

Affected dogs are not bred
Carriers may be bred responsibly to clear dogs
Genetic diversity is preserved intentionally

This prevents creating new problems while trying to solve existing ones.

What We Test — And Why

EIC (Exercise-Induced Collapse)

Prevents breeding combinations that could produce puppies prone to collapse during intense exercise

PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy)

Protects against inherited vision loss by ensuring no affected puppies are produced

DNA Profile (Parentage Verification)

Confirms pedigree accuracy and builds trust through verified lineage

Ophthalmologist Eye Exam

Detects current eye health issues that genetic tests cannot identify

Hips (OFA)

Supports long-term mobility, comfort, and structural soundness, Our breeders submit these X-rays directly to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals to ensure only dogs with strong structural integrity are included in our lines.

Elbows (OFA)

Reduces risk of joint issues that impact quality of life

What This Means for You

You don’t need to interpret a long list of tests or wonder what matters.

With GALA, you can be confident that:

The right tests are being done
The results are transparent and verifiable
Breeding decisions are made with both science and long-term thinking

This is how we protect the Australian Labradoodle—not just for today, but for the future of the breed.

Ready to be Part of the New Standard?

Join a community built on integrity, collaboration, and real support for breeders.

Health Testing