Breeding suitability guide — English Setter
For breeders: which tests, which thresholds, which mating rules apply
1. Mandatory tests for parents
Verein für Pointer und Setter e.V. requires these tests for breeding approval — they must be on file for every breeding animal.
| Test / condition | Scoring scheme | Passing result | Inheritance | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DNA-Identitätsnachweis | Blutprobe (DNA-Profil) | Einlagerung einer Blutprobe (mindestens 5ml EDTA-Blut) zur DNA-Präparation | — | Verein für Pointer und Setter e.V. |
| Wesensbeurteilung | Verhaltenstest | Keine Feststellung von Aggressivität, Scheue oder Ängstlichkeit gegenüber Fremden oder Wildscheue | — | Verein für Pointer und Setter e.V. |
| Zahn- und Bissbewertung | Gebissbescheinigung | Scheren- oder Zangengebiss; vollständige Zahnanzahl oder bis zu 2 fehlende Prämolare (eingeschränkt) | Unknown | Verein für Pointer und Setter e.V. |
| Progressive Retinal Atrophy, rod-cone dysplasia 4 (PRA-rcd4) | DNA test | clear or carrier | Autosomal recessive | Verein für Pointer und Setter e.V. |
| Hip dysplasia (HD) | X-ray | HD A–B | Polygenic | Verein für Pointer und Setter e.V. |
| Deafness | Hearing test | hearing in both ears | Complex | Verein für Pointer und Setter e.V. |
2. Mating rules
When one parent has a borderline result, the other parent must meet specific criteria.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy, rod-cone dysplasia 4 (PRA-rcd4)
See the mating rule in your club's regulation.
Verein für Pointer und Setter e.V.3. Recommended additional tests
Sensible additions for line planning.
| Test / condition | Scoring scheme | Passing result | Inheritance | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ectropion / Entropion | — | clear | Complex | CIDD (Univ. PEI) |
| Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) - "dry eye" (KCS) | Eye examination | clear | Complex | CIDD (Univ. PEI) |
| Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) (PRA) | — | clear or carrier | Autosomal recessive | — |
| Atopy (CAD) | Skin test | — | Complex | CIDD (Univ. PEI) |
| Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (Cutaneous asthenia) (EDS) | Skin test | clear | Autosomal dominant | CIDD (Univ. PEI) |
| Congenital deafness (CHSD) | Physical examination | hearing in both ears | Complex | CIDD (Univ. PEI) |
| Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis (NCL) | DNA test | clear or carrier | Autosomal recessive | AI-Vet |
| Hemophilia | Body-fluid analysis | clear | X-linked | CIDD (Univ. PEI) |
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'