Breeding suitability guide — Belgian Shepherd Dog
For breeders: which tests, which thresholds, which mating rules apply
1. Mandatory tests for parents
These tests must be on file for every breeding animal.
| Test / condition | Scoring scheme | Approved from | Inheritance | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DNA-Identitätsnachweis | Blutprobe (DNA-Profil) | Elternschaftsnachweis erbracht | — | VDH |
| Ocular anomalies | Physisch | frei von PRA, Entropium, Ektropium, Glaukom und zuchtausschließenden Kataraktformen | Complex | VDH |
| Elbow Dysplasia (ED) | Roentgen | 0 or Grenzfall | Polygenic | VDH |
| Hip dysplasia (HD) | Roentgen | A or B | Polygenic | VDH |
| Heart disease | Physisch | keine klinisch relevante Herzerkrankung | Complex | VDH |
| Deafness | Hoeren | zweifelsfrei beidseitig hörend | Complex | VDH |
| Wesensbeurteilung | Verhaltenstest | bestanden | — | VDH |
2. Mating rules
When one parent has a borderline result, the other parent must meet specific criteria.
Elbow Dysplasia (ED)
Polygenisch — beide Elterntiere sollten mindestens das Ergebnis "0" erreichen. Idealerweise besser. Phenotypen aus belasteten Linien sollten nicht für die Zucht herangezogen werden.
VDH3. 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 check each upload for authenticity — the profile tile then shows 'verified'