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 Physisch | CLEAR | ☐ | ☐ |
| Pectinate ligament dysplasia (PLD) Augen | CLEAR | ☐ | ☐ |
| Hip dysplasia (HD) Roentgen | B or better | ☐ | ☐ |
| Fucosidosis (FUCO) DNA | Clear or Carrier | ☐ | ☐ |
3. Recommended tests
Relevant in addition depending on line or specialty club.
| Test | Passing means | Dam | Sire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA) (IMHA) Koerperfluessigkeiten | CLEAR | ☐ | ☐ |
| Ectropion / Entropion | CLEAR | ☐ | ☐ |
| Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) (PRA) | CARRIER | ☐ | ☐ |
| Retinal Dysplasia (RD) Augen | CLEAR | ☐ | ☐ |
| Corneal dystrophy (CD) Augen | CLEAR | ☐ | ☐ |
| Cataract (HC) Augen | CLEAR | ☐ | ☐ |
| Congenital Myasthenic Syndrome (CMS) DNA | CLEAR | ☐ | ☐ |
| Fold dermatitis/pyoderma Physisch | Clear / Negative | ☐ | ☐ |
| Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (Cutaneous asthenia) (EDS) Haut | CLEAR | ☐ | ☐ |
| Psoriasiform-lichenoid dermatosis Koerperfluessigkeiten | CARRIER | ☐ | ☐ |
| Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) (PDA) Ultraschall | NORMAL | ☐ | ☐ |
| Diabetes mellitus (DM) Koerperfluessigkeiten | CARRIER | ☐ | ☐ |
| Phosphofructokinase (PFK) deficiency (PFK) DNA | CARRIER | ☐ | ☐ |
| Hypomyelination (HYM) | CLEAR | ☐ | ☐ |
| Bleeding disorder | CARRIER | ☐ | ☐ |
| Lysosomal storage diseases (LSD) DNA | 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