Our health testing levels for the Bernese Mountain Dog
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 10 additional clinically recommended screenings that reduce risk in this breed.
In addition to mandatory tests:
Color Dilution Alopecia (CDA)(CDA)
Haut und Fell
Color Dilution Alopecia is a genetic skin disorder that affects dogs with diluted coat colors, such as blue, fawn, or lilac. It is caused by an abnormal distribution of pigment within the hair shafts, which makes the hair brittle and prone to breaking. This structural weakness leads to progressive hair loss and leaves the skin more vulnerable to irritation.
Haut
Aortic valve stenosis(AS)
Herz
Aortic stenosis is a narrowing of the aortic valve in the heart, which controls blood flow from the main pumping chamber (the left ventricle) to the rest of the body. Because of this restriction, the heart muscle must work much harder to pump blood, which eventually causes the muscle wall to thicken abnormally. This is a severe cardiovascular condition that can strain the heart over time.
Cerebellar abiotrophy(CA)
Nervensystem
Cerebellar abiotrophy is an inherited neurological disorder affecting the brain, specifically the cerebellum, which regulates balance and movement coordination. In affected dogs, the nerve cells in this region prematurely degenerate and die off. This progressive cell loss disrupts the brain's ability to control smooth physical movements.
DNA
Degenerative Myelopathy(DM)
Nervensystem
Degenerative Myelopathy is a progressive disease of the spinal cord where the protective sheath around the nerves slowly breaks down. This deterioration disrupts the vital communication signals between the brain and the muscles of the hind limbs. Over time, this lack of signal transmission leads to a complete loss of muscle control in the back legs.
DNA · Passing: Clear or Carrier
Epilepsy(IE)
Nervensystem
Epilepsy is a chronic disorder of the brain and nervous system where abnormal electrical activity causes sudden, temporary disruptions in normal brain function. These disruptions lead to repeated seizures, which are involuntary changes in body movement, sensation, or behavior. Because the underlying cause is often complex, the brain's electrical signaling remains permanently prone to these sudden misfires.
Physisch
Hypomyelination(HYM)
Nervensystem
This is an inherited neurological disorder affecting the central nervous system, where the protective myelin sheath that insulates nerve fibers fails to develop properly. Without this adequate insulation, nerve signals cannot travel efficiently between the brain and the body. This disruption leads to impaired coordination and involuntary muscle movements.
Meningitis(SRMA)
Nervensystem
Meningitis is a severe inflammatory condition affecting the protective membranes, called meninges, and blood vessels surrounding the brain and spinal cord. In dogs, this most commonly occurs as an immune-mediated disorder known as Steroid-Responsive Meningitis-Arteritis (SRMA), or 'Steril-eitrige Meningitis-Arteriitis'. This means the dog's own immune system mistakenly triggers inflammation in these nervous system tissues without any actual infection being present.
Roentgen
Familial Nephropathy(JEB)
Nieren und Harnwege
Familial Nephropathy (FN) is an inherited kidney disease caused by a genetic defect in collagen, which is a vital structural protein. This defect damages the kidneys' filtering units, preventing them from properly removing waste products from the blood. Over time, this leads to progressive and irreversible kidney failure.
Koerperfluessigkeiten
von Willebrand's disease(vWD)
Stoffwechsel
Von Willebrand disease is an inherited bleeding disorder that affects the blood's ability to clot properly. It is caused by a deficiency or malfunction of the von Willebrand factor, a specific protein that helps blood platelets stick together to plug damaged blood vessels. Without enough of this functional protein, the clotting process is delayed, which can lead to excessive bleeding even from minor injuries.
Histiocytosis(MH)
Tumor
Histiocytosis is a severe disorder of the immune system where specific white blood cells, called histiocytes, multiply abnormally. These cells normally help protect the body, but their uncontrolled growth can lead to tumors or tissue damage in various organs, including the skin, lungs, spleen, and lymph nodes. Depending on the form, it can be localized to the skin or spread aggressively throughout the body's internal systems.
Koerperfluessigkeiten
These levels are a comparison framework, not an official certification. They help compare breeding programs at a glance.