Breeding suitability guide — Dutch Shepherd (Wire-Haired)
For breeders: which tests, which thresholds, which mating rules apply
1. Core standard for parents
Tests marked “Club standard” are required by Holländischer Schäferhund Club Deutschland e.V. (HSCD) for breeding approval — they must be on file for every breeding animal. The others are part of the recommended health standard and should be on file as well.
| Test / condition | Scoring scheme | Passing result | Inheritance | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cleft palate | Physical examination | clear | Complex | — |
| Cryptorchidism | Physical examination | no testicular defects | Complex | — |
| Monorchidism | Physical examination | no testicular defects | Complex | — |
| Dental abnormalities | — | no dental defects | Complex | — |
| Congenital blindness | Physical examination | clear | Complex | — |
| Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma (POAG) | Eye examination | grade 0–1 | Autosomal recessive | — |
| Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) (PRA) | — | clear or carrier | Autosomal recessive | — |
| Elbow Dysplasia (ED) Club standard | X-ray | ED 0–1 | Polygenic | Holländischer Schäferhund Club Deutschland e.V. (HSCD) |
| Hip dysplasia (HD) Club standard | X-ray | HD A–B | Polygenic | Holländischer Schäferhund Club Deutschland e.V. (HSCD) |
| Lumbosacral Transitional Vertebra (LTV) Club standard | X-ray | LTV 0 | Complex | Holländischer Schäferhund Club Deutschland e.V. (HSCD) |
| Congenital deafness (CHSD) | Physical examination | hearing in both ears | Complex | — |
| Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) | DNA test | clear or carrier | Autosomal recessive | — |
| Epilepsy (IE) | Physical examination | no epilepsy | Complex | — |
| Spongy Degeneration with Cerebellar Ataxia 2 (SDCA2) (SDCA2) | DNA test | clear or carrier | Autosomal recessive | — |
2. Mating rules
When one parent has a borderline result, the other parent must meet specific criteria.
Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma (POAG)
See the mating rule in your club's regulation.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) (PRA)
See the mating rule in your club's regulation.
Elbow Dysplasia (ED)
See the mating rule in your club's regulation.
Holländischer Schäferhund Club Deutschland e.V. (HSCD)Congenital deafness (CHSD)
See the mating rule in your club's regulation.
Degenerative Myelopathy (DM)
See the mating rule in your club's regulation.
Spongy Degeneration with Cerebellar Ataxia 2 (SDCA2) (SDCA2)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spondylosis (SP) | X-ray | grade 0 | Complex | AI-Vet |
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'