Breeding suitability guide — Border Collie
For breeders: which tests, which thresholds, which mating rules apply
1. Mandatory tests for parents
Club für Britische Hütehunde e.V. (CfBrH) requires these tests for breeding approval — they must be on file for every breeding animal.
| Test / condition | Scoring scheme | Passing result | Inheritance | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trapped Neutrophil Syndrome (TNS) | — | — | Autosomal recessive | Club für Britische Hütehunde e.V. (CfBrH) |
| Dental hypomineralization (DH) | Physical examination | clear or carrier | Autosomal recessive | Club für Britische Hütehunde e.V. (CfBrH) |
| Eye conditions (ophthalmological eye exam) (ECVO) | Eye examination | — | Complex | Club für Britische Hütehunde e.V. (CfBrH) |
| Collie eye anomaly (CEA) (CEA) | — | clear or carrier | Autosomal recessive | Club für Britische Hütehunde e.V. (CfBrH) |
| Pectinate ligament dysplasia (PLD) | Eye examination | — | Complex | Club für Britische Hütehunde e.V. (CfBrH) |
| Hip dysplasia (HD) | X-ray | HD A–B | Polygenic | Club für Britische Hütehunde e.V. (CfBrH) |
| Merle coat pattern (M) | — | clear or carrier | Autosomal dominant | Club für Britische Hütehunde e.V. (CfBrH) |
| MDR1 gene mutation (drug sensitivity) (MDR1) | — | clear or carrier | Autosomal recessive | Club für Britische Hütehunde e.V. (CfBrH) |
| Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis (NCL) | DNA test | — | Autosomal recessive | Club für Britische Hütehunde e.V. (CfBrH) |
| Sensory Neuropathy (SN) | — | — | Autosomal recessive | Club für Britische Hütehunde e.V. (CfBrH) |
| Imerslund-Gräsbeck syndrome (IGS) | Body-fluid analysis | — | Autosomal recessive | Club für Britische Hütehunde e.V. (CfBrH) |
2. Mating rules
When one parent has a borderline result, the other parent must meet specific criteria.
Dental hypomineralization (DH)
See the mating rule in your club's regulation.
Club für Britische Hütehunde e.V. (CfBrH)Merle coat pattern (M)
See the mating rule in your club's regulation.
Club für Britische Hütehunde e.V. (CfBrH)Canine cyclic hematopoiesis (GCS)
See the mating rule in your club's regulation.
3. Recommended additional tests
Sensible additions for line planning.
| Test / condition | Scoring scheme | Passing result | Inheritance | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canine cyclic hematopoiesis (GCS) | DNA test | clear or carrier | Autosomal recessive | — |
| Cataract (HC) | Eye examination | clear | Complex | CIDD (Univ. PEI) |
| Lens luxation (PLL) | Eye examination | clear | Autosomal recessive | CIDD (Univ. PEI) |
| Microphthalmia | — | clear | Complex | CIDD (Univ. PEI) |
| Pannus (Chronic Superficial Keratitis) (CSK) | Eye examination | clear | Complex | CIDD (Univ. PEI) |
| Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) (PRA) | — | clear or carrier | Autosomal recessive | CIDD (Univ. PEI) |
| Congenital deafness (CHSD) | Physical examination | hearing in both ears | Complex | CIDD (Univ. PEI) |
| Adult-onset deafness (AOD) | DNA test | clear or carrier | Autosomal recessive | — |
| Cerebellar abiotrophy (CA) | DNA test | clear | Autosomal recessive | 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'