Breeding suitability guide — German Shepherd
For breeders: which tests, which thresholds, which mating rules apply
1. Mandatory tests for parents
Verein für Deutsche Schäferhunde (SV) 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) | DNA-geprüft (DNA-Profil in Genotypen-Datenbank hinterlegt) | — | Verein für Deutsche Schäferhunde (SV) e.V. |
| Wesensbeurteilung | Verhaltenstest | bestanden | — | Verein für Deutsche Schäferhunde (SV) e.V. |
| 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 | Unknown | Verein für Deutsche Schäferhunde (SV) e.V. |
| Elbow Dysplasia (ED) | X-ray | ED 0–1 | Polygenic | Verein für Deutsche Schäferhunde (SV) e.V. |
| Hip dysplasia (HD) | X-ray | HD A–C | Polygenic | Verein für Deutsche Schäferhunde (SV) e.V. |
| Hüft- und Ellenbogengelenke (Kontrollröntgen für Rüden) | Röntgencheck incl. DNA-Test | Keine zuchtausschließenden Befunde beim Kontrollröntgen | Unknown | Verein für Deutsche Schäferhunde (SV) e.V. |
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.
Verein für Deutsche Schäferhunde (SV) e.V.Hip dysplasia (HD)
See the mating rule in your club's regulation.
Verein für Deutsche Schäferhunde (SV) e.V.3. Recommended additional tests
Sensible additions for line planning.
| Test / condition | Scoring scheme | Passing result | Inheritance | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cleft palate | Physical examination | — | Complex | CIDD (Univ. PEI) |
| Megaesophagus (ME) | X-ray | — | Complex | CIDD (Univ. PEI) |
| Lumbosacral Transitional Vertebra (LTV) | X-ray | LTV 0–1 | Complex | AI-Vet |
| Cervical vertebral compressive myelopathy (CVCM) | X-ray | — | Complex | CIDD (Univ. PEI) |
| Lupus erythematosus (systemic, cutaneous/discoid) (SLE) | Body-fluid analysis | — | Complex | CIDD (Univ. PEI) |
| Aortic valve stenosis (AS) | — | — | Complex | CIDD (Univ. PEI) |
| Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) (PDA) | Ultrasound | — | Polygenic | CIDD (Univ. PEI) |
| Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) | DNA test | — | Autosomal recessive | CIDD (Univ. PEI) |
| Epilepsy (IE) | Physical examination | — | Complex | CIDD (Univ. PEI) |
| Nodular dermatofibrosis and renal cystadenocarcinoma (RCND) | — | — | Autosomal dominant | CIDD (Univ. PEI) |
| Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) | Body-fluid analysis | — | Complex | CIDD (Univ. PEI) |
| Hemophilia | Body-fluid analysis | — | X-linked | CIDD (Univ. PEI) |
| Pituitary hormone deficiency, LHX3-related (CPHD) | — | clear or carrier | Autosomal recessive | AI-Vet |
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'