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Health Testing Guide
Which tests are mandatory, how to spot responsible breeders — and what it costs when things go wrong.
For the Wire-haired Dachshund we've compiled 21 core tests (5 of them required by Deutscher Teckelklub 1888 e.V. (DTK)) and 1 additionally recommended test, drawn from breed-club regulations, the University of PEI (CIDD), and OMIA — weighted by severity and heritability.
View verified breedersWhat this grade means
In the Dachshund (Wire-haired), the risk of intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) is extremely high: roughly one in six to seven dachshunds suffers a herniated disc during their lifetime, with the proportion being significantly higher in certain varieties, and over 95% carry the genetic predisposition for it (CDDY). The Deutscher Teckelklub 1888 e.V. (DTK) therefore makes findings on intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) and chondrodystrophy (CDDY), as well as genetic tests for osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) and cone-rod dystrophy (progressive retinal atrophy), mandatory, under which carriers may only be mated with clear partners, and does not permit any merle × merle matings. A responsible breeder also has the parent animals examined for cataract, primary lens luxation (PLL), and epilepsy. Before buying a puppy, insist on seeing complete written documentation of findings regarding intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), and eye examinations.
Every breed is susceptible to certain inherited conditions. Just like humans, dogs inherit predispositions from their parents. Responsible breeders screen their breeding dogs for these conditions and make informed mating decisions to reduce the risk passed on to puppies.
No — but it's the strongest tool we have. Diet, exercise, environment, and genetics all contribute to whether a dog develops a condition. When breeders use the right tests to identify risk in potential parents, the likelihood of many conditions appearing in the puppies drops significantly.
There's no one-size-fits-all here. The core standard for the Wire-haired Dachshund covers 21 tests, 5 of them required by Deutscher Teckelklub 1888 e.V. (DTK), plus 1 additional recommended test. The specific tests and passing thresholds are detailed further below.
Keep in mind
Reliable screening tests still don't exist for many hereditary conditions, and tests for complex polygenic conditions don't always predict severity in the puppies. Even so, they're a powerful tool of responsible breeding.
There are two main types of health tests:
Screen the dog's DNA for known disease-causing mutations. Can be performed from puppyhood and give a binary result (clear / carrier / affected).
Clinical and imaging exams like X-ray, ultrasound, or ophthalmoscopy. They show how a predisposition actually manifests — usually only conclusive after 12–18 months.
We group breeding programs into three levels based on testing depth. Ask your breeder directly which level they meet.
A breeder at the Great level meets the Good level and performs 1 additional clinically recommended screening that reduces risk in this breed.
In addition to Good:
Patellar Luxation(PL)
Bewegungsapparat
Patellar luxation, also known as a luxating patella, is a physical condition affecting the knee joint where the kneecap slips out of its normal groove. This misalignment interferes with the mechanical movement of the hind leg and can cause the joint to lock. Over time, this abnormal friction can lead to painful joint wear and tear, known as osteoarthritis.
Physical examination · Passing: PL 0
These levels are a comparison framework, not an official certification. They help compare breeding programs at a glance.
A complete checklist with every core-standard and additionally recommended test, plus identity and rearing questions — take it with you.
Open the full checklistFor breeders
Machine-readable mating rules, minimum ages, scoring schemes, and what's required for HonestDog verification — as a printable guide.
Example rule — Congenital blindness
Both parents must be clear or better.
We take mandatory tests from official breed regulations, build the recommended health standard from veterinary databases — and cross-check every uploaded certificate against the dog's profile using AI.
L1 = core standard: the club's required tests where its rules set them, otherwise the recommended health standard for the breed. L2 = additionally recommended or clinically indicated. L3 = lower prevalence. Every assignment carries a source and confidence rating.
VDH breeding regulations, CIDD (University of PEI), OMIA (University of Sydney), curated veterinary input.
Uploaded certificates are read by AI and checked for date, result, and consistency with the dog's profile — our team reviews anything inconclusive.
Not across the board. But these traits can play a role in the Wire-haired Dachshund: Short legs, Colour dilution, Merle & double merle. Depending on the line, color or pairing, that is an extreme-breeding risk – what to look out for is explained on the linked pages.
Self-check
Answer 6 quick questions about your everyday life and see how well the Wire-haired Dachshund fits you — including an honest cost estimate per month, per year, and across the dog's lifetime.
See breeders who have already uploaded their health test results for verification.
View verified breeders