Breeder-visit checklist — Boston Terrier
What to ask, see, and take with you
1. Identity and rearing
- Breeder's full name and address
- Whelping date and number of litters the dam has had in the past 24 months
- If a registry breeder: kennel name and litter registration number (VDH / FCI / specialty or other club) — not required as long as all health tests are documented
- EU pet transport rules: puppy must be at least 8 weeks old and dewormed/vaccinated before handover
2. Core standard for both parents
Tests marked “Club standard” are required by 1. Club für Boston-Terrier in Deutschland e.V. (1. CBD) for breeding approval; the others are part of the recommended health standard. For each test, ask to see the original certificate — date, vet, result.
| Test | Passing means | Dam | Sire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) (BOAS) Physical examination | clear | ☐ | ☐ |
| Fitness Test ("Pug" Test) (BOAS-Test) Physical examination | result on file | ☐ | ☐ |
| Eye conditions (ophthalmological eye exam) (ECVO) Eye examination Club standard | clear | ☐ | ☐ |
| Ectropion / Entropion | clear | ☐ | ☐ |
| Cataract (HC) Eye examination | clear | ☐ | ☐ |
| Lens luxation (PLL) Eye examination | clear | ☐ | ☐ |
| Retinal Dysplasia (RD) Eye examination | clear | ☐ | ☐ |
| Patellar Luxation (PL) Physical examination Club standard | PL 0 | ☐ | ☐ |
| Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) DNA test Club standard | clear or carrier (carriers only with a clear partner) | ☐ | ☐ |
3. Additionally recommended tests
Additionally relevant, depending on the line or specialty club.
| Test | Passing means | Dam | Sire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple head Physical examination | {"resultNotOk": "Disease present"} | ☐ | ☐ |
| Cleft palate Physical examination | clear | ☐ | ☐ |
| Pyloric stenosis Ultrasound | normal | ☐ | ☐ |
| Tracheal hypoplasia X-ray | Clear / Negative | ☐ | ☐ |
| Corneal dystrophy (CD) Eye examination | clear | ☐ | ☐ |
| Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) - "dry eye" (KCS) Eye examination | clear | ☐ | ☐ |
| Third eyelid (nictitating membrane) abnormalities - "cherry eye" Physical examination | clear | ☐ | ☐ |
| Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma (POAG) Eye examination | clear | ☐ | ☐ |
| Cranioschisis X-ray | clear | ☐ | ☐ |
| Atopy (CAD) Skin test | Clear / Negative | ☐ | ☐ |
| Demodicosis / Demodectic mange Skin test | Clear / Negative | ☐ | ☐ |
| Fold dermatitis/pyoderma Physical examination | Clear / Negative | ☐ | ☐ |
| Pattern baldness Skin test | Clear / Negative | ☐ | ☐ |
| Mitral valve dysplasia (MVD) Ultrasound | normal | ☐ | ☐ |
| Congenital deafness (CHSD) Physical examination | hearing in both ears | ☐ | ☐ |
| Hydrocephalus X-ray | Clear / Negative | ☐ | ☐ |
4. Husbandry and rearing
- Puppies raised with the family / in the home (not in a kennel)
- Socialization plan: which stimuli before handover? (children, car, vacuum, other dogs)
- Deworming and vaccination protocol (min. 2× deworming, 1× core vaccine before handover)
- EU pet passport and microchip present
- Written sales contract with take-back clause