Official radiographic examinations
Our clinic performs official radiographic examinations approved by the Finnish Kennel Club: hip, elbow, and spinal imaging. Official radiographs are sent to the Kennel Club evaluator and results are recorded in the Breeding Information System. Examinations are performed under light sedation to ensure correct positioning.
Patella and cardiac examinations
Official patella examinations are performed clinically without sedation. The clinic also holds official cardiac auscultation rights — the auscultation examination assesses whether the dog has a heart murmur. These examinations are part of the breeding evaluations for many breeds.
Who needs official examinations?
Official examinations are mandatory or recommended for breeding dogs depending on the breed. The aim of the examinations is to reduce the incidence of hereditary diseases within breeds. Examinations can be performed from 12 months of age (hips from 18 months) and are valid for the dog's entire lifetime.
Booking and information
Official examinations require advance booking as they require sedation and sufficient time to take high-quality images. Contact the clinic to arrange an examination appointment — we are happy to advise on which examinations are recommended for your dog's breed.
Frequently asked questions about official examinations
<strong>At what age are official examinations performed?</strong> Official hip radiographs are taken from 18 months of age at the earliest, and elbow radiographs from 12 months. Patella examinations can be performed from 12 months. Cardiac auscultation can be done earlier, but an examination approved for breeding typically requires at least 12 months of age. It is important to check breed-specific requirements on the Finnish Kennel Club website. <strong>How long are results valid?</strong> Official radiographic results are valid for the dog's entire lifetime — they do not need to be renewed. Cardiac auscultation results are valid for 1–2 years depending on the breed. Patella examination results are permanent. Results are recorded in the Kennel Club Breeding Information System, where they are publicly available.