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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 performs all mandatory tests plus 1 additional clinically recommended screenings that reduce risk in this breed.
In addition to mandatory tests:
Hypothyroidism
Hormonelles und Stoffwechsel
Hypothyroidism is an endocrine disorder where the thyroid gland, located in the neck, fails to produce enough thyroid hormones. These hormones are essential for regulating the body's metabolic rate, which is the speed at which cells convert nutrients into energy. When hormone levels are too low, the dog's entire metabolism slows down, affecting multiple organ systems.
Koerperfluessigkeiten · Passing: Normal
These levels are a comparison framework, not an official certification. They help compare breeding programs at a glance.
A complete checklist with every mandatory and 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 — Progressive Retinal Atrophy, rod-cone dysplasia 4
Both parents must be Clear or Carrier or better.
We compile mandatory tests from official breed regulations and veterinary databases — and check every uploaded certificate for authenticity.
L1 = mandatory under breed-club regulations. L2 = recommended or clinically indicated. L3 = lower prevalence. Every assignment carries a source and confidence rating.
VDH-Zuchtordnungen, CIDD (University of PEI), OMIA (University of Sydney), curated veterinary input.
Uploaded certificates are AI-extracted and reviewed by our team for authenticity, date, and result.
9 tests are currently mandatory under the relevant breed-club regulations. The most common are DNA-Identitätsnachweis, Zahn- und Bissbewertung, Progressive Retinal Atrophy, rod-cone dysplasia 4 (PRA-rcd4). Every test must be completed before mating, and the result must fall within the threshold defined by the regulation.
See breeders who have already uploaded their mandatory tests for verification.
View verified breedersHealth Testing Guide
Which tests are mandatory, how to spot responsible breeders — and what it costs when things go wrong.
For the Irish Red and White Setter we have compiled 9 mandatory and 1 recommended health tests, drawn from breed-club regulations, the University of PEI (CIDD), and OMIA — weighted by severity and heritability.
What this grade means
The Irish Red and White Setter is considered a healthy breed, as breed-specific risks are well-managed through mandatory health tests. It is essential to screen for hip dysplasia (HD), as well as perform genetic testing for Canine Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency type I (CLAD-I) and Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA-rcd4). As long as you ensure the parents have certified test results when purchasing a puppy, the risk of these conditions can be effectively minimized.
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 Irish Red and White Setter we track 9 mandatory tests plus 1 additional recommended ones. 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 are not always predictive of severity in the puppies. Even so, they're a powerful tool used by every responsible breeder.
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.