Breeder-visit checklist — Dutch Shepherd (Shorthair)
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. Mandatory tests for both parents
Holländischer Schäferhund Club Deutschland e.V. (HSCD) requires these tests for breeding approval. For each test, ask to see the original certificate — date, vet, result.
| Test | Passing means | Dam | Sire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elbow Dysplasia (ED) X-ray | ED 0–1 | ☐ | ☐ |
| Hip dysplasia (HD) X-ray | HD A–B | ☐ | ☐ |
| Lumbosacral Transitional Vertebra (LTV) X-ray | result on file | ☐ | ☐ |
| Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) DNA test | clear or carrier | ☐ | ☐ |
| Spongy Degeneration with Cerebellar Ataxia 2 (SDCA2) (SDCA2) DNA test | Die Verpaarung zweier Träger N/DM bzw. N/SDCA2 ist nicht gestattet. | ☐ | ☐ |
3. Additionally recommended tests
Additionally relevant, depending on the line or specialty club.
| Test | Passing means | Dam | Sire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cryptorchidism Physical examination | no testicular defects | ☐ | ☐ |
| Monorchidism Physical examination | no testicular defects | ☐ | ☐ |
| Dental abnormalities | no dental defects | ☐ | ☐ |
| Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) (PRA) | clear | ☐ | ☐ |
| Epilepsy (IE) Physical examination | no epilepsy | ☐ | ☐ |
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