Health
Tested before bred — no exceptions
Every dog in our program is fully health-tested and CHIC certified before being bred. Results are registered publicly with the OFA, so you never have to take our word for it.
Our philosophy
The paperwork comes first
Before any RockSteady dog is bred, it completes the full panel of health clearances recommended for the breed — hips, patellas, eyes, heart, hearing, and a DNA panel for the conditions known in Tibetan Terriers. Only dogs that pass earn a place in our program.
Owner Deidre Philpot is a TTCA Accredited Breeder and serves on the Tibetan Terrier Club of America Board of Directors. A small business owner since 1997, she brings that same care and accountability to her program. We’re happy to share every clearance with you — usually before you even ask.
The protocol
What we test, and who verifies it
| Screening | What it checks | Verified by |
|---|---|---|
| Hip evaluation | Hip conformation & dysplasia risk | OFA |
| Patellas | Knee / luxating patella | OFA |
| Eyes (CAER) | Annual ophthalmologist exam | OFA / ACVO |
| Cardiac | Congenital heart evaluation | OFA |
| Hearing (BAER) | Bilateral hearing | BAER |
| DNA panel | PRA (rcd4 / PRA3), NCL, primary lens luxation, pituitary dwarfism | DNA lab |
| CHIC number | All required tests on record & public | OFA / CHIC |
OFA
Orthopedic Foundation for Animals
The independent registry where our dogs’ hip, patella, cardiac, and eye results are recorded — searchable by the public.
CHIC
Canine Health Information Center
A CHIC number confirms a dog has completed every health screen the breed’s parent club requires, with results made public.
DNA
Genetic panel
We screen for the inherited conditions known in Tibetan Terriers that are recommended by the Tibetan Terrier Club of America.
Thinking about a Tibetan Terrier?
Tell us a bit about your household and what you’re looking for — we’ll let you know where things stand with our current and upcoming litters.