Breeder-visit checklist — Dalmatian
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 Deutscher Dalmatiner-Club von 1920 e.V. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cryptorchidism Physical examination | Clear / Negative | ☐ | ☐ |
| Hip dysplasia (HD) X-ray Club standard | HD A–C | ☐ | ☐ |
| Deafness Hearing test Club standard | hearing in both ears | ☐ | ☐ |
3. Additionally recommended tests
Additionally relevant, depending on the line or specialty club.
| Test | Passing means | Dam | Sire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (Dalmatian) (ARDS) X-ray | clear or carrier | ☐ | ☐ |
| Laryngeal Paralysis (LP) X-ray | Clear / Negative | ☐ | ☐ |
| Cataract (HC) Eye examination | clear | ☐ | ☐ |
| Pannus (Chronic Superficial Keratitis) (CSK) Eye examination | clear | ☐ | ☐ |
| Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma (POAG) Eye examination | clear | ☐ | ☐ |
| Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) (PRA) | clear or carrier | ☐ | ☐ |
| Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) DNA test | clear or carrier | ☐ | ☐ |
| Globoid cell leukodystrophy (galactocerebrosidosis) (GCL) DNA test | clear or carrier | ☐ | ☐ |
| Peripheral neuropathy (PN) | clear or carrier | ☐ | ☐ |
| Hyperuricosuria (HUU) Body-fluid analysis | clear or carrier | ☐ | ☐ |
| Urolithiasis | clear or carrier | ☐ | ☐ |
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