Breeder-visit checklist — German Shorthaired Pointer
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. Core standard for both parents
Tests marked “Club standard” are required by Deutsch-Kurzhaar-Verband e.V. (DK-Verband) for breeding approval; the others are part of the recommended health standard. For each test, ask to see the original certificate — date, vet, result.
| Test | Passing means | Dam | Sire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cryptorchidism Physical examination | no testicular defects | ☐ | ☐ |
| Dental abnormalities | no dental defects | ☐ | ☐ |
| Achromatopsia-3, CNGB3-related (ACHM) | clear or carrier | ☐ | ☐ |
| Distichiasis Eye examination | clear | ☐ | ☐ |
| Ectropion / Entropion | clear | ☐ | ☐ |
| Chondrodysplasia, SLC13A1-related | clear or carrier | ☐ | ☐ |
| Hip dysplasia (HD) X-ray | HD A–B | ☐ | ☐ |
| Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) X-ray Club standard | clear | ☐ | ☐ |
| Polydactyly | no toe or claw defects | ☐ | ☐ |
| Epilepsy (IE) Physical examination | no seizures | ☐ | ☐ |
3. Additionally recommended tests
Additionally relevant, depending on the line or specialty club.
| Test | Passing means | Dam | Sire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Disorders of sexual development - sex reversal (DSD) DNA test | Clear / Negative | ☐ | ☐ |
| Cataract (HC) Eye examination | Clear / Negative | ☐ | ☐ |
| Third eyelid (nictitating membrane) abnormalities - "cherry eye" Physical examination | Clear / Negative | ☐ | ☐ |
| Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) (PRA) | Clear / Negative | ☐ | ☐ |
| Lupoid dermatosis (ECLE) Skin test | Clear / Negative | ☐ | ☐ |
| Aortic valve stenosis (AS) | Clear / Negative | ☐ | ☐ |
| Acral Mutilation Syndrome (AMS) DNA test | Clear / Negative | ☐ | ☐ |
| von Willebrand's disease (vWD) | 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