Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) is a disease that dogs get in their eyes, especially the retina. This disease is hereditary but can be detected through a blood test since the genetic marker for PRA has been found in Mastiffs. If both parents have been cleared of PRA, then the puppies will not have it either. PRA has been found during eye exams in Mastiffs as young as four months old. To find out more on PRA and the testing for it check out the following links:

PRA testing : http://www.optigen.com/

PRA Info: http://www.netpets.org/dogs/healthspa/pra.html

Canine Eye Research Foundation (CERF) is an organization that registers dogs that have been certified free of heritable diseases by a member of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists.

CERF testing and info: http://www.vmdb.org/cerf.html

Hip and Elbow dysplasia are areas of great concern with Mastiffs, or any large breed dog for that matter. This can be detected through x-rays done by a veterinarian that follows the guidelines set forth by one of the two organizations that test for this disease. OFA and Pennhip are the two organizations that you can use to test for hip dysplasia and OFA is the one that does elbows.

OFA- http://www.offa.org/

Pennhip- http://www.pennhip.org/

Other testing that can and should be done through OFA:

Patellar Luxation

Congenital Cardiac Disease

Thyroid