Health Testing
Bringing home a puppy is an act of trust. You are trusting that the decisions made long before you ever met that dog — the pairings, the testing, the evaluations — were made with honesty and care. We take that trust seriously. Here is exactly what we do and why.
Every Puppy Is Fully DNA Health Tested
Every Jolis Collie puppy goes home with a complete DNA health panel — not because it is required, but because it is the only honest way to breed. You will receive your puppy's individual results before pickup day so you know exactly what you are bringing home.
The panel covers the conditions that matter most in the Collie breed:
Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA)
A hereditary condition affecting the development of the eye. DNA testing identifies clear, carrier, and affected dogs — allowing us to make informed breeding decisions that eliminate affected puppies from our program entirely.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
A degenerative eye condition that can lead to blindness. DNA testing allows us to identify and breed away from this condition with certainty.
Multidrug Resistance 1 (MDR1)
A genetic mutation that affects how certain drugs are processed — including some common medications and anesthetics. Knowing your dog's MDR1 status is genuinely important veterinary information that can affect their care for life. Every Jolis Collie buyer receives this result and we strongly recommend sharing it with your vet at your first appointment.
Degenerative Myelopathy (DM)
A progressive neurological condition affecting the spinal cord. DNA testing identifies clear, carrier, and affected status.
Dermatomyositis (DMS)
A hereditary inflammatory condition affecting the skin and muscle, seen in Collies and Shelties. We test all breeding dogs and puppies so you have complete information going home.
Parent Health Testing
Our commitment to health does not start with the puppies — it starts with the parents.
Every dog in our breeding program is required to meet the following standards before being bred:
OFA Hip and Elbow Evaluation
Both sire and dam are evaluated through the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals for hip and elbow health. Results are submitted to the OFA database and available for public verification.
Veterinary Health Clearance
Every breeding dog receives a full veterinary health examination prior to breeding — including heart and lung evaluation — confirming they are in sound health at the time of the pairing.
We do not cut corners on parent testing. A puppy is only as sound as the decisions that went into producing them.
Our Health Guarantee
Every Jolis Collie puppy is covered by a two year health guarantee against hereditary and congenital conditions. If a covered condition is diagnosed within that period and confirmed by a licensed veterinarian, you have the choice of a full refund or a replacement puppy — whichever works best for your family.
What this guarantee represents
It is not a hedge against the unknown. It is a reflection of our confidence in the testing and decisions that go into every litter we produce. We health test precisely so that our guarantee is one we never have to honor.
The guarantee does include specific terms and conditions — as any honest guarantee does. Full details are outlined in your purchase contract, which we are happy to walk through with you before you commit. If you have questions, ask them. We would rather you go home fully informed than surprised later.
A Note on MDR1
We mention this one again because it genuinely matters beyond the puppy years.
MDR1 affects how your dog processes certain medications — including some commonly used in routine veterinary care. Knowing your dog's status is not just useful information, it is potentially important safety information.
Please share your puppy’s MDR1 result with:
Your veterinarian
Your groomer
Any boarding facility
We include it in your puppy packet for exactly this reason. If you have questions about what MDR1 means in practical terms, we are always available to help.
Washington State University MDR1 information.
Contact Us.
Collie Health Foundation
Jolis Collies is a proud supporter of the Collie Health Foundation — an organization dedicated to funding health research specific to the Collie breed.
We believe that what we learn today about Collie health makes every future litter better. Supporting that research is part of what it means to take this breed seriously.
Learn more about the Collie Health Foundation.
