Breeding suitability guide — Dutch Shepherd (Shorthair)
For breeders: which tests, which thresholds, which mating rules apply
1. Mandatory tests for parents
Holländischer Schäferhund Club Deutschland e.V. (HSCD) requires these tests for breeding approval — they must be on file for every breeding animal.
| Test / condition | Scoring scheme | Passing result | Inheritance | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elbow Dysplasia (ED) | X-ray | ED 0–1 | Polygenic | Holländischer Schäferhund Club Deutschland e.V. (HSCD) |
| Hip dysplasia (HD) | X-ray | HD A–B | Polygenic | Holländischer Schäferhund Club Deutschland e.V. (HSCD) |
| Lumbosacral Transitional Vertebra (LTV) | X-ray | result on file | Complex | Holländischer Schäferhund Club Deutschland e.V. (HSCD) |
| Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) | DNA test | clear or carrier | Autosomal recessive | Holländischer Schäferhund Club Deutschland e.V. (HSCD) |
| Spongy Degeneration with Cerebellar Ataxia 2 (SDCA2) (SDCA2) | DNA test | Die Verpaarung zweier Träger N/DM bzw. N/SDCA2 ist nicht gestattet. | Autosomal recessive | Holländischer Schäferhund Club Deutschland e.V. (HSCD) |
2. Mating rules
When one parent has a borderline result, the other parent must meet specific criteria.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) (PRA)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cryptorchidism | Physical examination | no testicular defects | Complex | — |
| Monorchidism | Physical examination | no testicular defects | Complex | — |
| Dental abnormalities | — | no dental defects | Complex | — |
| Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) (PRA) | — | clear | Autosomal recessive | — |
| Epilepsy (IE) | Physical examination | no epilepsy | Complex | — |
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'