Breeder-visit checklist — Chow Chow
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 Allgemeiner Chow-Chow-Club e.V. (ACC) 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cleft palate Physical examination | clear | ☐ | ☐ |
| Cryptorchidism Physical examination | no testicular defects | ☐ | ☐ |
| Monorchidism Physical examination | no testicular defects | ☐ | ☐ |
| Ear anomalies Hearing test | no ear anomalies | ☐ | ☐ |
| Dental abnormalities | no dental defects, fewer than 4 missing premolars and/or molars in total (P1 excluded) | ☐ | ☐ |
| Congenital blindness Physical examination | clear | ☐ | ☐ |
| Ectropion / Entropion | clear | ☐ | ☐ |
| Elbow Dysplasia (ED) X-ray Club standard | ED 0–2 | ☐ | ☐ |
| Hip dysplasia (HD) X-ray Club standard | HD A–C | ☐ | ☐ |
| Patellar Luxation (PL) Physical examination | PL 0 | ☐ | ☐ |
| Tail abnormalities | no tail defects | ☐ | ☐ |
| Albinism DNA test | clear or carrier | ☐ | ☐ |
| Congenital deafness (CHSD) Physical examination | hearing in both ears | ☐ | ☐ |
| Epilepsy (IE) Physical examination | no epilepsy | ☐ | ☐ |
3. Additionally recommended tests
Additionally relevant, depending on the line or specialty club.
| Test | Passing means | Dam | Sire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) (BOAS) Physical examination | Clear / Negative | ☐ | ☐ |
| Corneal dystrophy (CD) Eye examination | clear | ☐ | ☐ |
| Cataract (HC) Eye examination | clear | ☐ | ☐ |
| Persistent pupillary membranes (PPM) (PPM) Eye examination | result on file | ☐ | ☐ |
| Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma (POAG) Eye examination | clear | ☐ | ☐ |
| Myotonia (MC) DNA test | clear or carrier | ☐ | ☐ |
| Cervical vertebral compressive myelopathy (CVCM) X-ray | Clear / Negative | ☐ | ☐ |
| Color Dilution Alopecia (CDA) (CDA) Skin test | Clear / Negative | ☐ | ☐ |
| Sebaceous Adenitis (SA) | Clear / Negative | ☐ | ☐ |
| Growth hormone-responsive dermatosis; adrenal sex hormone-responsive dermatosis Body-fluid analysis | Clear / Negative | ☐ | ☐ |
| Hypomyelination (HYM) | clear | ☐ | ☐ |
| Cerebellar abiotrophy (CA) DNA test | clear or carrier | ☐ | ☐ |
| Cerebellar hypoplasia (CH) DNA test | Clear / Negative | ☐ | ☐ |
| Diabetes mellitus (DM) Body-fluid analysis | clear | ☐ | ☐ |
| Hypothyroidism Body-fluid analysis | 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