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Health Testing Guide
Which tests are mandatory, how to spot responsible breeders — and what it costs when things go wrong.
For the Hairless Chihuahua we've compiled 3 mandatory and 3 recommended health tests, drawn from breed-club regulations, the University of PEI (CIDD), and OMIA — weighted by severity and heritability.
View verified breedersWhat this grade means
Due to its genetics and anatomy, the Hairless Chihuahua carries significant health risks, particularly for hydrocephalus, tracheal collapse (TC), and myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD). A responsible breeder does everything possible to minimize these risks by having their breeding dogs comprehensively tested and only mating healthy dogs. Before purchasing, you should therefore ask to see the official test results for patellar luxation (PL) (limit: Grade 0 or 1), progressive retinal atrophy, generic (limit: free), as well as the results for hairlessness (naked) (limit: carrier, only mated with a free partner). In addition, examinations for tracheal collapse (TC) (limit: A), myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) (limit: unaffected), and hydrocephalus (limit: A) are indispensable proofs of health-oriented breeding.
Every breed is susceptible to certain inherited conditions. Just like humans, dogs inherit predispositions from their parents. Responsible breeders screen their breeding dogs for these conditions and make informed mating decisions to reduce the risk passed on to puppies.
No — but it's the strongest tool we have. Diet, exercise, environment, and genetics all contribute to whether a dog develops a condition. When breeders use the right tests to identify risk in potential parents, the likelihood of many conditions appearing in the puppies drops significantly.
There's no one-size-fits-all here. For the Hairless Chihuahua we track 3 mandatory tests plus 3 additional recommended ones. The specific tests and passing thresholds are detailed further below.
Keep in mind
Reliable screening tests still don't exist for many hereditary conditions, and tests for complex polygenic conditions don't always predict severity in the puppies. Even so, they're a powerful tool of responsible breeding.
There are two main types of health tests:
Screen the dog's DNA for known disease-causing mutations. Can be performed from puppyhood and give a binary result (clear / carrier / affected).
Clinical and imaging exams like X-ray, ultrasound, or ophthalmoscopy. They show how a predisposition actually manifests — usually only conclusive after 12–18 months.
We group breeding programs into three levels based on testing depth. Ask your breeder directly which level they meet.
A breeder at the Great level performs all mandatory tests plus 3 additional clinically recommended screenings that reduce risk in this breed.
In addition to mandatory tests:
Tracheal collapse(TC)
Atmung
Tracheal collapse is a progressive respiratory condition where the C-shaped cartilage rings that keep the windpipe (trachea) open begin to weaken and flatten. As these supportive rings lose their rigidity, the airway narrows, making it difficult for air to pass smoothly into the lungs. This mechanical failure of the respiratory tract leads to chronic irritation and breathing difficulties.
X-ray
Myxomatous mitral valve disease(MMVD)
Herz
Myxomatous valve degeneration is a chronic heart disease where the heart valves, most commonly the mitral valve, gradually thicken and lose their normal shape. This structural change prevents the valves from closing tightly, causing blood to leak backward through the heart chambers. Over time, this backflow forces the heart to work much harder, eventually leading to congestive heart failure.
Ultrasound · Passing: normal
Hydrocephalus
Nervensystem
Hydrocephalus is a neurological condition affecting the brain and nervous system, commonly referred to as water on the brain. It occurs when cerebrospinal fluid, the natural protective liquid surrounding the brain, builds up abnormally inside the brain's cavities, known as ventricles. This accumulation creates harmful pressure on the surrounding brain tissue, which can impair normal brain function.
X-ray
These levels are a comparison framework, not an official certification. They help compare breeding programs at a glance.
A complete checklist with every mandatory and recommended test plus identity and rearing questions — take it with you.
Open the full checklistFor breeders
Machine-readable mating rules, minimum ages, scoring schemes, and what's required for HonestDog verification — as a printable guide.
Example rule — Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
Both parents must be clear or better.
We compile mandatory tests from official breed regulations and veterinary databases — and cross-check every uploaded certificate against the dog's profile using AI.
L1 = mandatory under breed-club regulations. L2 = recommended or clinically indicated. L3 = lower prevalence. Every assignment carries a source and confidence rating.
VDH breeding regulations, CIDD (University of PEI), OMIA (University of Sydney), curated veterinary input.
Uploaded certificates are read by AI and checked for date, result, and consistency with the dog's profile — our team reviews anything inconclusive.
The Hairless Chihuahua currently has 3 hereditary conditions classified as most relevant: Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) (PRA), Patellar Luxation (PL), Hairlessness. The risk for a puppy depends primarily on whether both parents have been tested for these conditions and whether the results fall within breed-specific requirements.
Self-check
Answer 6 quick questions about your everyday life and see how well the Hairless Chihuahua fits you — including an honest cost estimate per month, per year, and across the dog's lifetime.
See breeders who have already uploaded their mandatory tests for verification.
View verified breeders