Breeding suitability guide — Dutch Shepherd
For breeders: which tests, which thresholds, which mating rules apply
1. Mandatory tests for parents
These tests must be on file for every breeding animal.
| Test / condition | Scoring scheme | Approved from | Inheritance | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Progressive Retinal Atrophy (prcd-PRA) (PRA) | — | clear | Autosomal recessive | HD-Curated |
| Elbow Dysplasia (ED) | X-ray | ED 0–1 | Polygenic | Legacy |
| Hip dysplasia (HD) | X-ray | HD A–B | Polygenic | HD-Curated |
| Lumbosacral Transitional Vertebra (LTV) | X-ray | LTV 0–1 | Complex | Legacy |
| Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) | DNA test | clear or carrier | Autosomal recessive | Legacy |
| Spongy Degeneration with Cerebellar Ataxia 2 (Belgian Malinois) (SDCA2) | DNA test | clear or carrier | Autosomal recessive | Legacy |
2. Mating rules
When one parent has a borderline result, the other parent must meet specific criteria.
Elbow Dysplasia (ED)
Polygenisch — beide Elterntiere sollten das Ergebnis „ED 0–1“ erreichen. Tiere aus belasteten Linien sollten nicht für die Zucht eingesetzt werden.
LegacyDegenerative Myelopathy (DM)
Autosomal rezessiv: Zwei Träger dürfen nicht miteinander verpaart werden — 25% der Welpen wären betroffen. Betroffene Hunde sollten gar nicht in der Zucht eingesetzt werden.
LegacySpongy Degeneration with Cerebellar Ataxia 2 (Belgian Malinois) (SDCA2)
Autosomal rezessiv: Zwei Träger dürfen nicht miteinander verpaart werden — 25% der Welpen wären betroffen. Betroffene Hunde sollten gar nicht in der Zucht eingesetzt werden.
Legacy3. Recommended additional tests
Sensible additions for line planning.
| Test / condition | Scoring scheme | Approved from | Inheritance | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) | X-ray | ED 0 | Complex | Legacy |
| Spongy Degeneration with Cerebellar Ataxia 1 (Belgian Malinois) (SDCA1) | DNA test | 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 AI-extract each upload and check it for consistency with the dog's profile — the profile tile then shows 'verified'