Breeding suitability guide — Flat-Coated Retriever
For breeders: which tests, which thresholds, which mating rules apply
1. Core standard for parents
Tests marked “Club standard” are required by Deutscher Retriever Club e.V. (DRC) 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eye conditions (ophthalmological eye exam) (ECVO) Club standard | Eye examination | — | Complex | Deutscher Retriever Club e.V. (DRC) |
| Pectinate ligament dysplasia (PLD) Club standard | Eye examination | — | Complex | Deutscher Retriever Club e.V. (DRC) |
| Progressive Retinal Atrophy (prcd-PRA) (PRA) | — | clear | Autosomal recessive | Curated by HonestDog |
| Elbow Dysplasia (ED) Club standard | X-ray | ED 0–1 | Polygenic | Deutscher Retriever Club e.V. (DRC) |
| Hip dysplasia (HD) Club standard | X-ray | HD A–C | Polygenic | Deutscher Retriever Club e.V. (DRC) |
| Patellar Luxation (PL) | Physical examination | PL 0 | Polygenic | Curated by HonestDog |
2. Mating rules
When one parent has a borderline result, the other parent must meet specific criteria.
Elbow Dysplasia (ED)
See the mating rule in your club's regulation.
Deutscher Retriever Club e.V. (DRC)3. Recommended additional tests
Sensible additions for line planning.
| Test / condition | Scoring scheme | Passing result | Inheritance | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ocular anomalies | Physical examination | clear | Complex | — |
| Ectropion / Entropion | — | clear | Complex | CIDD (Univ. PEI) |
| Cataract (HC) | Eye examination | clear | Complex | CIDD (Univ. PEI) |
| Histiocytosis (MH) | Body-fluid analysis | clear | Complex | 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'