Much thought and planning goes into every litter.  In an effort to ensure that we minimize the risk for genetic or inherited diseases, my wolfhounds are health tested.   All of the mature hounds here have their CHIC numbers.  The Canine Health Information Center assigns a CHIC number to those dogs who have passed all of the breed club recommended health testing.  For our breed, the Irish Wolfhound Club of America requires that the heart, hips and elbows are certified clear by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) and that the eyes are cleared by CERF.  The CHIC registry, and the OFA registry have a public database which can be accessed electronically.    www.offa.org