Breeder-visit checklist — English Springer Spaniel
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
For each test, ask to see the original certificate — date, vet, result.
| Test | Passing means | Dam | Sire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ocular anomalies Physical examination | clear | ☐ | ☐ |
| Pectinate ligament dysplasia (PLD) Eye examination | clear | ☐ | ☐ |
| Hip dysplasia (HD) X-ray | HD A–B | ☐ | ☐ |
| Fucosidosis (FUCO) DNA test | clear or carrier | ☐ | ☐ |
3. Recommended tests
Additionally relevant, depending on the line or specialty club.
| Test | Passing means | Dam | Sire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA) (IMHA) Body-fluid analysis | clear | ☐ | ☐ |
| Ectropion / Entropion | clear | ☐ | ☐ |
| Corneal dystrophy (CD) Eye examination | clear | ☐ | ☐ |
| Cataract (HC) Eye examination | clear | ☐ | ☐ |
| Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) (PRA) | clear or carrier | ☐ | ☐ |
| Retinal Dysplasia (RD) Eye examination | clear | ☐ | ☐ |
| Congenital Myasthenic Syndrome (CMS) DNA test | clear | ☐ | ☐ |
| Fold dermatitis/pyoderma Physical examination | Clear / Negative | ☐ | ☐ |
| Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (Cutaneous asthenia) (EDS) Skin test | clear | ☐ | ☐ |
| Psoriasiform-lichenoid dermatosis Body-fluid analysis | Clear / Negative | ☐ | ☐ |
| Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) (PDA) Ultrasound | normal | ☐ | ☐ |
| Hypomyelination (HYM) | clear | ☐ | ☐ |
| Bleeding disorder | clear or carrier | ☐ | ☐ |
| Diabetes mellitus (DM) Body-fluid analysis | Clear / Negative | ☐ | ☐ |
| Lysosomal storage diseases (LSD) DNA test | clear or carrier | ☐ | ☐ |
| Phosphofructokinase (PFK) deficiency (PFK) DNA test | 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