Breeding suitability guide — Boston Terrier
For breeders: which tests, which thresholds, which mating rules apply
1. Core standard for parents
Tests marked “Club standard” are required by 1. Club für Boston-Terrier in Deutschland e.V. (1. CBD) for breeding approval — they must be on file for every breeding animal. The others are part of the recommended health standard and should be on file as well.
| Test / condition | Scoring scheme | Passing result | Inheritance | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) (BOAS) | Physical examination | clear | Complex | CIDD (Univ. PEI) |
| Fitness Test ("Pug" Test) (BOAS-Test) | Physical examination | result on file | Complex | — |
| Eye conditions (ophthalmological eye exam) (ECVO) Club standard | Eye examination | clear | Complex | 1. Club für Boston-Terrier in Deutschland e.V. (1. CBD) |
| Ectropion / Entropion | — | clear | Complex | — |
| Cataract (HC) | Eye examination | clear | Complex | — |
| Lens luxation (PLL) | Eye examination | clear | Autosomal recessive | — |
| Retinal Dysplasia (RD) | Eye examination | clear | Complex | — |
| Patellar Luxation (PL) Club standard | Physical examination | PL 0 | Polygenic | 1. Club für Boston-Terrier in Deutschland e.V. (1. CBD) |
| Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) Club standard | DNA test | clear or carrier (carriers only with a clear partner) | Autosomal recessive | 1. Club für Boston-Terrier in Deutschland e.V. (1. CBD) |
2. Mating rules
When one parent has a borderline result, the other parent must meet specific criteria.
Fitness Test ("Pug" Test) (BOAS-Test)
See the mating rule in your club's regulation.
Ectropion / Entropion
See the mating rule in your club's regulation.
Cataract (HC)
See the mating rule in your club's regulation.
Lens luxation (PLL)
See the mating rule in your club's regulation.
Retinal Dysplasia (RD)
See the mating rule in your club's regulation.
Cranioschisis
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple head | Physical examination | {"resultNotOk": "Disease present"} | Complex | — |
| Cleft palate | Physical examination | clear | Complex | CIDD (Univ. PEI) |
| Pyloric stenosis | Ultrasound | normal | Complex | CIDD (Univ. PEI) |
| Tracheal hypoplasia | X-ray | — | Complex | CIDD (Univ. PEI) |
| Corneal dystrophy (CD) | Eye examination | clear | Complex | CIDD (Univ. PEI) |
| Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) - "dry eye" (KCS) | Eye examination | clear | Complex | CIDD (Univ. PEI) |
| Third eyelid (nictitating membrane) abnormalities - "cherry eye" | Physical examination | clear | Complex | CIDD (Univ. PEI) |
| Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma (POAG) | Eye examination | clear | Autosomal recessive | CIDD (Univ. PEI) |
| Cranioschisis | X-ray | clear | Unknown | — |
| Atopy (CAD) | Skin test | — | Complex | CIDD (Univ. PEI) |
| Demodicosis / Demodectic mange | Skin test | — | Complex | CIDD (Univ. PEI) |
| Fold dermatitis/pyoderma | Physical examination | — | Complex | CIDD (Univ. PEI) |
| Pattern baldness | Skin test | — | Complex | CIDD (Univ. PEI) |
| Mitral valve dysplasia (MVD) | Ultrasound | normal | Complex | CIDD (Univ. PEI) |
| Congenital deafness (CHSD) | Physical examination | hearing in both ears | Complex | CIDD (Univ. PEI) |
| Hydrocephalus | X-ray | — | Complex | 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'