Breeder-visit checklist — German Shepherd
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| DNA-Identitätsnachweis Blutprobe (DNA-Profil) | DNA-geprüft (DNA-Profil in Genotypen-Datenbank hinterlegt) | ☐ | ☐ |
| Zahn- und Bissbewertung Gebissbescheinigung | Kein Fehlen von P3 + weiterer Zahn, Fangzahn, P4, M1, M2 oder insgesamt 3 Zähnen; Kiefer: maximal 2 mm Überbiss, kein Vorbiss, kein Aufbeißen im gesamten Schneidezahnbereich | ☐ | ☐ |
| Elbow Dysplasia (ED) Roentgen | 1 or better | ☐ | ☐ |
| Hip dysplasia (HD) Roentgen | C or better | ☐ | ☐ |
| Hüft- und Ellenbogengelenke (Kontrollröntgen für Rüden) Röntgencheck incl. DNA-Test | Keine zuchtausschließenden Befunde beim Kontrollröntgen | ☐ | ☐ |
| Wesensbeurteilung Verhaltenstest | bestanden | ☐ | ☐ |
3. Recommended tests
Relevant in addition depending on line or specialty club.
| Test | Passing means | Dam | Sire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cleft palate Physisch | Clear / Negative | ☐ | ☐ |
| Cervical vertebral compressive myelopathy (CVCM) Roentgen | Clear / Negative | ☐ | ☐ |
| Lumbosacral Transitional Vertebra (LTV) Roentgen | Type 0 or Type 1 | ☐ | ☐ |
| Lupus erythematosus (systemic, cutaneous/discoid) (SLE) Koerperfluessigkeiten | Clear / Negative | ☐ | ☐ |
| Aortic valve stenosis (AS) | Clear / Negative | ☐ | ☐ |
| Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) (PDA) Ultraschall | Clear / Negative | ☐ | ☐ |
| Hemophilia Koerperfluessigkeiten | Clear / Negative | ☐ | ☐ |
| Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) DNA | Clear / Negative | ☐ | ☐ |
| Epilepsy (IE) Physisch | Clear / Negative | ☐ | ☐ |
| Nodular dermatofibrosis and renal cystadenocarcinoma (RCND) | Clear / Negative | ☐ | ☐ |
| Pituitary hormone deficiency, LHX3-related (CPHD) | Clear/Carrier | ☐ | ☐ |
| Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) Koerperfluessigkeiten | Clear / Negative | ☐ | ☐ |
| Megaesophagus (ME) Roentgen | Clear / Negative | ☐ | ☐ |
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