Comprehensive Health Testing for Yorkshire Terriers
EMBARK & OFA Certifications at Essence of Grace Yorkies
Our Commitment to Health & Preservation
At Essence of Grace Yorkies, we make the health and well-being of our Yorkshire Terriers a top priority. Our commitment to health testing helps ensure we produce beautiful, breed-standard Yorkies that are also genetically sound.
Health testing is one part of responsible breeding — not a guarantee of perfection — and we believe in educating our families honestly about what testing can and cannot predict.
What Health Testing We Perform
We use EMBARK genetic testing on all of our active breeding dogs, as well as any puppies we are considering keeping for show or breeding within our program. This advanced DNA panel screens for 200+ genetic health risks, breed-specific traits, coat color genetics, and genetic diversity.
Before any dog is bred, they also undergo targeted health evaluations based on breed needs, including:
OFA Eye Certifications (CAER)
Patellar Luxation Evaluations (when applicable)
These steps help us make informed breeding decisions while preserving the integrity of the Yorkshire Terrier breed.
Important Buyer Note
Health testing is performed on our breeding dogs — not on every pet puppy.
Occasionally, if we are keeping a puppy for show or breeding evaluation, that puppy may be Embark tested prior to placement. However, this is not standard for pet puppies, and buyers should not expect individual puppy testing as part of a normal companion placement.
Why Our Health Testing Matters
Genetic Screening (EMBARK): Identifies breed-specific diseases, coat traits, and recessive carriers before breeding
OFA Eye Certification (CAER): Performed by a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist to detect hereditary eye conditions
Patellar Evaluations: Helps assess knee stability in breeding dogs
While no breeder can promise a dog will never develop a condition in its lifetime, health testing significantly reduces hereditary risk and supports long-term soundness.
Individual Dog Health Testing Results
Abbey – AKC CH Essence Of Grace Abbey Road
EMBARK Genetic Test: Completed
OFA Eye Certification: Normal, breeder option noted (PPM iris-to-iris – does not affect vision)
OFA Patellas: Normal
CHIC Certified
Sasha – AKC CH Denstail Dita Fon Diz
EMBARK Genetic Test: Completed
OFA Eye Certification: Normal
No OFA patella results (decision made after negative experience with a non-breeder-friendly vet)
Lucy – Essence Of Grace Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds
EMBARK Genetic Test: Completed (Carries 1 copy of PRA-prcd – not affected)
OFA testing will be completed at maturity if used for breeding.
Charlie – GCHS Ziburua Super Charger
EMBARK Genetic Test: Completed
OFA Eye & Patella Testing scheduled after show career
Important Buyer Information
Puppies from our program are not individually health tested unless evaluated for show or breeding.
Even with health-tested parents, no breeder can guarantee lifetime health.
Some conditions — including luxating patella — may be environmental and develop after placement due to activity or injury.
For this reason, patellar luxation is not covered under our health guarantee.
Regarding Liver Shunt Testing
We do not perform bile acid testing on young puppies prior to placement. The most reliable results require the dog to be older, and we have not had liver shunt diagnoses in our program to date.
Upcoming Health-Tested Yorkie Litters
Our next planned pairing is Sasha × Charlie, with puppies expected the first week of February 2026 (pregnancy confirmed) and estimated go-home timing in April 2026.
While no breeder can guarantee perfection, both parents are health tested, proven producers, and have produced healthy litters in the past with no buyer complaints.
Reminder: Health testing applies to the parents — not each puppy.
