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Health Testing Guide
Which tests are mandatory, how to spot responsible breeders — and what it costs when things go wrong.
For the Affenpinscher we've compiled 1 test required by Pinscher-Schnauzer-Klub 1895 e.V. and 12 additionally recommended tests, drawn from breed-club regulations, the University of PEI (CIDD), and OMIA — weighted by severity and heritability.
View verified breedersWhat this grade means
With the Affenpinscher, you need to watch out for breed-specific issues such as Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS), primary lens luxation (PLL), and patellar luxation (PL). The Pinscher-Schnauzer-Klub 1895 e.V. mandates an eye examination for ocular anomalies resulting in a clear status for breeding approval. A responsible breeder also tests the parent animals for BOAS, patellar luxation (PL 0–1), as well as genetically for primary lens luxation (PLL) and progressive retinal atrophy (prcd-PRA). Have these veterinary findings presented to you in full before purchasing; carriers of prcd-PRA must only be mated with clear partners.
Every breed is susceptible to certain inherited conditions. Just like humans, dogs inherit predispositions from their parents. Responsible breeders screen their breeding dogs for these conditions and make informed mating decisions to reduce the risk passed on to puppies.
No — but it's the strongest tool we have. Diet, exercise, environment, and genetics all contribute to whether a dog develops a condition. When breeders use the right tests to identify risk in potential parents, the likelihood of many conditions appearing in the puppies drops significantly.
There's no one-size-fits-all here. For the Affenpinscher, Pinscher-Schnauzer-Klub 1895 e.V. requires 1 test for breeding approval, plus 12 additional recommended tests. The specific tests and passing thresholds are detailed further below.
Keep in mind
Reliable screening tests still don't exist for many hereditary conditions, and tests for complex polygenic conditions don't always predict severity in the puppies. Even so, they're a powerful tool of responsible breeding.
There are two main types of health tests:
Screen the dog's DNA for known disease-causing mutations. Can be performed from puppyhood and give a binary result (clear / carrier / affected).
Clinical and imaging exams like X-ray, ultrasound, or ophthalmoscopy. They show how a predisposition actually manifests — usually only conclusive after 12–18 months.
We group breeding programs into three levels based on testing depth. Ask your breeder directly which level they meet.
A breeder at the Great level meets the Good level and performs 12 additional clinically recommended screenings that reduce risk in this breed.
In addition to Good:
Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS)(BOAS)
Atmung
Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) is a severe respiratory condition affecting short-muzzled dog breeds, where the physical shortening of the skull leaves insufficient space for the upper airways. This structural compression forces tissues like the soft palate and nasal passages into a restricted area, significantly obstructing the flow of oxygen to the lungs. Over time, the increased effort required to breathe puts chronic strain on the dog's respiratory and cardiovascular systems.
Physical examination · Passing: clear
Ectropion / Entropion
Augen
These are structural eyelid abnormalities affecting a dog's eyes. In cases of entropion, the eyelid rolls inward, causing the eyelashes or fur to rub painfully against the surface of the eyeball. In ectropion, the eyelid sags or rolls outward, leaving the sensitive inner lining of the eye exposed and unprotected.
Passing: clear
Cataract(HC)
Augen
A cataract is a progressive clouding of the lens inside the dog's eye, which is the clear structure that focuses light onto the retina at the back of the eye. When the lens becomes cloudy or opaque, it blocks light from entering, gradually impairing the dog's vision. If left untreated, this condition can eventually lead to complete blindness in the affected eye.
Eye examination · Passing: clear
Lens luxation(PLL)
Augen
Lens luxation is an inherited eye disorder where the lens slips out of its normal position because the supporting fibers holding it in place weaken or break. When the lens shifts, it can block the natural drainage of fluid within the eye. This blockage causes a rapid, painful buildup of pressure called glaucoma, which can lead to permanent blindness if left untreated.
Eye examination · Passing: clear
Optic nerve hypoplasia and micropapilla(ONH)
Augen
This condition involves the congenital underdevelopment of the optic nerve, known as optic nerve hypoplasia, or an abnormally small optic disc, called micropapilla. These structures are crucial parts of the eye's visual pathway, and their underdevelopment impairs the transmission of visual signals from the eye to the brain. It is a congenital defect of the visual system that is present from birth.
Eye examination · Passing: result on file
Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma(POAG)
Augen
Primary open-angle glaucoma is an inherited eye disease where the natural fluid inside the eye cannot drain properly. This fluid buildup causes a gradual increase in pressure within the eyeball, which eventually damages the optic nerve, the connection between the eye and the brain. Without management, this pressure leads to permanent blindness.
Eye examination · Passing: clear
Progressive rod-cone degeneration (PRCD-PRA)(PRA-prcd)
Augen
This is an inherited eye disease where the light-sensitive cells in the retina, called rods and cones, slowly break down over time. The rods, which handle vision in dim light, degenerate first, followed by the cones, which are responsible for bright light and color vision. This gradual degeneration of the eye's sensory layer eventually leads to complete blindness.
Passing: clear or carrier
Hip dysplasia(HD)
Bewegungsapparat
Hip dysplasia is an inherited skeletal disorder where the ball and socket of the hip joint do not fit together properly. Instead of sliding smoothly, the bones rub and grind against each other, wearing down the protective cartilage. Over time, this chronic friction causes joint instability, painful inflammation, and progressive arthritis, which is the gradual wear and tear of the joint.
X-ray · Passing: HD A–B
Patellar Luxation(PL)
Bewegungsapparat
Patellar luxation, also known as a luxating patella, is a physical condition affecting the knee joint where the kneecap slips out of its normal groove. This misalignment interferes with the mechanical movement of the hind leg and can cause the joint to lock. Over time, this abnormal friction can lead to painful joint wear and tear, known as osteoarthritis.
Physical examination · Passing: PL 0–1
Heart disease
Herz
Heart disease refers to structural or functional abnormalities of the heart muscle, valves, or electrical system that impair its ability to pump blood effectively. This reduced pumping efficiency prevents the cardiovascular system from delivering adequate oxygen and nutrients to the body's tissues. Some forms are congenital, meaning present from birth, while others are acquired over time due to wear or genetic factors.
Physical examination · Passing: normal
Cystinuria Type 3 Variant 2 risk factor(Cyst3-2)
Nieren
This is an inherited metabolic disorder of the kidneys where the organ fails to properly reabsorb the amino acid cystine from the urine. Excess cystine then builds up and forms painful crystals or stones in the bladder and urinary tract. This specific Type 3 variant is complex and influenced by hormones, primarily putting intact male dogs at risk.
DNA test · Passing: clear or carrier
Cystinuria, type III
Nieren
Cystinuria type III is an inherited metabolic kidney disorder where the kidneys fail to reabsorb the amino acid cystine, which is a building block of proteins, back into the bloodstream. Instead, this substance accumulates in the urine, where it can crystallize. These crystals eventually clump together to form painful stones within the bladder or kidneys.
DNA test · Passing: clear
Not health tests, but required for breeding: the club asks for these results too. They don't count toward the risks or the rating.
DNA-Identitätsnachweis
Required by Pinscher-Schnauzer-Klub 1895 e.V.
Acceptable result: DNA-Profil nach ISAG 2006 erstellt und zur Verfügung gestellt
Wesensbeurteilung
Required by Pinscher-Schnauzer-Klub 1895 e.V.
Acceptable result: Bestandene Verhaltensüberprüfung (z.B. Begleithundprüfung, freiwilliger Wesenstest) oder gesonderte Verhaltensbeurteilung
These levels are a comparison framework, not an official certification. They help compare breeding programs at a glance.
A complete checklist with every core-standard and additionally recommended test, plus identity and rearing questions — take it with you.
Open the full checklistFor breeders
Machine-readable mating rules, minimum ages, scoring schemes, and what's required for HonestDog verification — as a printable guide.
Example rule — Eye conditions (ophthalmological eye exam)
Both parents must be clear or better.
We take mandatory tests from official breed regulations, build the recommended health standard from veterinary databases — and cross-check every uploaded certificate against the dog's profile using AI.
L1 = core standard: the club's required tests where its rules set them, otherwise the recommended health standard for the breed. L2 = additionally recommended or clinically indicated. L3 = lower prevalence. Every assignment carries a source and confidence rating.
VDH breeding regulations, CIDD (University of PEI), OMIA (University of Sydney), curated veterinary input.
Uploaded certificates are read by AI and checked for date, result, and consistency with the dog's profile — our team reviews anything inconclusive.
Not across the board. But these traits can play a role in the Affenpinscher: Flat face. Depending on the line, color or pairing, that is an extreme-breeding risk – what to look out for is explained on the linked pages.
Self-check
Answer 6 quick questions about your everyday life and see how well the Affenpinscher fits you — including an honest cost estimate per month, per year, and across the dog's lifetime.
See breeders who have already uploaded their health test results for verification.
View verified breeders