Breeding suitability guide — Bernese Mountain 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) | DNA-Profil Premium SNP (ISAG 2020) vorgelegt | — | VDH |
| Ocular anomalies | Physisch | kein Hinweis auf das Vorliegen einer erblichen Augenerkrankung | Complex | VDH |
| Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) (PRA) | — | Ergebnis A oder B | Autosomal recessive | VDH |
| Cataract (HC) | Augen | kein Hinweis auf das Vorliegen der erblichen Augenerkrankung Katarakt | Complex | VDH |
| Elbow Dysplasia (ED) | Roentgen | ED-1 or better | Polygenic | VDH |
| Hip dysplasia (HD) | Roentgen | C or better | Polygenic | VDH |
| Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) | Roentgen | keine Anzeichen einer OCD | Complex | VDH |
| Ectopic ureter (EU) | Ultraschall | Untersuchungsergebnis liegt vor | Complex | VDH |
| Wesensbeurteilung | Verhaltenstest | Erfolgreich bestandene Körung | — | VDH |
| Progressive Retinal Atrophy (prcd-PRA) (PRA) | — | Ergebnis A oder B | Autosomal recessive | 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 "1" erreichen. Idealerweise besser. Phenotypen aus belasteten Linien sollten nicht für die Zucht herangezogen werden.
VDHHip dysplasia (HD)
Polygenisch — beide Elterntiere sollten mindestens das Ergebnis "C" erreichen. Idealerweise besser. Phenotypen aus belasteten Linien sollten nicht für die Zucht herangezogen werden.
VDH3. Recommended additional tests
Sensible additions for line planning.
| Test / condition | Scoring scheme | Approved from | Inheritance | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Color Dilution Alopecia (CDA) (CDA) | Haut | — | Complex | CIDD |
| Aortic valve stenosis (AS) | — | — | Complex | CIDD |
| Cerebellar abiotrophy (CA) | DNA | — | Autosomal recessive | CIDD |
| Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) | DNA | Clear or Carrier | Autosomal recessive | Legacy |
| Epilepsy (IE) | Physisch | — | Complex | CIDD |
| Hypomyelination (HYM) | — | — | Autosomal recessive | CIDD |
| Meningitis (SRMA) | Roentgen | — | Complex | CIDD |
| Familial Nephropathy (JEB) | Koerperfluessigkeiten | — | Autosomal recessive | CIDD |
| von Willebrand's disease (vWD) | — | — | Autosomal recessive | CIDD |
| Histiocytosis (MH) | Koerperfluessigkeiten | — | Complex | CIDD |
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'