Breeding suitability guide — German Shorthaired Pointer
For breeders: which tests, which thresholds, which mating rules apply
1. Core standard for parents
Tests marked “Club standard” are required by Deutsch-Kurzhaar-Verband e.V. (DK-Verband) 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cryptorchidism | Physical examination | no testicular defects | Complex | — |
| Dental abnormalities | — | no dental defects | Complex | — |
| Achromatopsia-3, CNGB3-related (ACHM) | — | clear or carrier | Autosomal recessive | Curated by HonestDog |
| Distichiasis | Eye examination | clear | Complex | — |
| Ectropion / Entropion | — | clear | Complex | — |
| Chondrodysplasia, SLC13A1-related | — | clear or carrier | Autosomal recessive | — |
| Hip dysplasia (HD) | X-ray | HD A–B | Polygenic | — |
| Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) Club standard | X-ray | clear | Complex | Deutsch-Kurzhaar-Verband e.V. (DK-Verband) |
| Polydactyly | — | no toe or claw defects | Autosomal dominant | — |
| Epilepsy (IE) | Physical examination | no seizures | Complex | — |
2. Mating rules
When one parent has a borderline result, the other parent must meet specific criteria.
Distichiasis
See the mating rule in your club's regulation.
Ectropion / Entropion
See the mating rule in your club's regulation.
Hip dysplasia (HD)
See the mating rule in your club's regulation.
3. Recommended additional tests
Sensible additions for line planning.
| Test / condition | Scoring scheme | Passing result | Inheritance | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Disorders of sexual development - sex reversal (DSD) | DNA test | — | Autosomal recessive | CIDD (Univ. PEI) |
| Cataract (HC) | Eye examination | — | Complex | CIDD (Univ. PEI) |
| Third eyelid (nictitating membrane) abnormalities - "cherry eye" | Physical examination | — | Complex | CIDD (Univ. PEI) |
| Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) (PRA) | — | — | Autosomal recessive | CIDD (Univ. PEI) |
| Lupoid dermatosis (ECLE) | Skin test | — | Autosomal recessive | CIDD (Univ. PEI) |
| Aortic valve stenosis (AS) | — | — | Complex | CIDD (Univ. PEI) |
| Acral Mutilation Syndrome (AMS) | DNA test | — | Autosomal recessive | CIDD (Univ. PEI) |
| von Willebrand's disease (vWD) | — | — | Autosomal recessive | 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'