Breeding suitability guide — American Staffordshire Terrier
For breeders: which tests, which thresholds, which mating rules apply
1. Core standard for parents
Tests marked “Club standard” are required by Deutscher Club für Bullterrier e.V. for breeding approval — they must be on file for every breeding animal. The others are part of the recommended health standard and should be on file as well.
| Test / condition | Scoring scheme | Passing result | Inheritance | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ectropion / Entropion | — | clear | Complex | — |
| Cataract (HC) | Eye examination | clear | Complex | — |
| Lens luxation (PLL) | Eye examination | clear | Autosomal recessive | — |
| Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma (POAG) | Eye examination | clear | Autosomal recessive | — |
| Elbow Dysplasia (ED) | X-ray | ED 0–1 | Polygenic | — |
| Demodicosis / Demodectic mange | Skin test | — | Complex | CIDD (Univ. PEI) |
| D-Locus (d1) (D-Lokus) Club standard | DNA test | result on file | Autosomal recessive | Deutscher Club für Bullterrier e.V. |
| Heart disease | Physical examination | Grade 0 | Complex | — |
| Cerebellar Ataxia (CA1) | DNA test | clear or carrier | Autosomal recessive | — |
| Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis 4A (American Staffordshire Terrier) (NCL-4A) | DNA test | clear or carrier | Autosomal recessive | — |
| Polyneuropathy with juvenile laryngeal paralysis (American Staffordshire Terrier) (ALLP) Club standard | DNA test | clear or carrier | Autosomal recessive | Deutscher Club für Bullterrier e.V. |
2. Mating rules
When one parent has a borderline result, the other parent must meet specific criteria.
Ectropion / Entropion
See the mating rule in your club's regulation.
Cataract (HC)
See the mating rule in your club's regulation.
Lens luxation (PLL)
See the mating rule in your club's regulation.
Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma (POAG)
See the mating rule in your club's regulation.
Elbow Dysplasia (ED)
See the mating rule in your club's regulation.
D-Locus (d1) (D-Lokus)
See the mating rule in your club's regulation.
Deutscher Club für Bullterrier e.V.Heart disease
See the mating rule in your club's regulation.
Cerebellar Ataxia (CA1)
See the mating rule in your club's regulation.
Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis 4A (American Staffordshire Terrier) (NCL-4A)
See the mating rule in your club's regulation.
Polyneuropathy with juvenile laryngeal paralysis (American Staffordshire Terrier) (ALLP)
See the mating rule in your club's regulation.
Deutscher Club für Bullterrier e.V.3. Recommended additional tests
Sensible additions for line planning.
| Test / condition | Scoring scheme | Passing result | Inheritance | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Disorders of sexual development - sex reversal (DSD) | DNA test | clear or carrier | Autosomal recessive | CIDD (Univ. PEI) |
| Hip dysplasia (HD) | X-ray | HD A–C | Polygenic | CIDD (Univ. PEI) |
4. HonestDog verification
- Upload a legible certificate (PDF or photo) per test in the breeder dashboard
- Certificate must show date, examining vet, and FCI/VDH logo
- Certificates older than 36 months are flagged as stale
- We extract the results from each upload using AI and check them for consistency with the dog's profile — the profile tile then shows 'verified'