Breeding suitability guide — Belgian Shepherd Dog
For breeders: which tests, which thresholds, which mating rules apply
1. Mandatory tests for parents
Deutscher Klub für Belgische Schäferhunde e.V. requires these tests for breeding approval — they must be on file for every breeding animal.
| Test / condition | Scoring scheme | Passing result | Inheritance | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DNA-Identitätsnachweis | Blutprobe (DNA-Profil) | Elternschaftsnachweis erbracht | — | Deutscher Klub für Belgische Schäferhunde e.V. |
| Wesensbeurteilung | Verhaltenstest | bestanden | — | Deutscher Klub für Belgische Schäferhunde e.V. |
| Elbow Dysplasia (ED) | X-ray | ED 0 or borderline | Polygenic | Deutscher Klub für Belgische Schäferhunde e.V. |
| Hip dysplasia (HD) | X-ray | HD A–B | Polygenic | Deutscher Klub für Belgische Schäferhunde e.V. |
2. Mating rules
When one parent has a borderline result, the other parent must meet specific criteria.
Elbow Dysplasia (ED)
See the mating rule in your club's regulation.
Deutscher Klub für Belgische Schäferhunde e.V.3. Recommended additional tests
Sensible additions for line planning.
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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'