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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 2 additional clinically recommended screenings that reduce risk in this breed.
In addition to mandatory tests:
Osteochondritis dissecans(OCD)
Bewegungsapparat
Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) is a developmental skeletal disorder affecting the joints, where a piece of cartilage fails to turn into bone properly. This abnormal cartilage can crack and detach from the underlying bone, creating a loose flap or fragment that floats in the joint space. This leads to painful inflammation and joint damage, most commonly in the shoulders, elbows, or knees.
Roentgen · Passing: 0
Spongy Degeneration with Cerebellar Ataxia 1 (Belgian Malinois)(SDCA1)
Nervensystem
Spongiöse Degeneration mit zerebellarer Ataxie 1 (SDCA1) is an inherited neurological disease that causes the brain tissue, particularly in the cerebellum, to break down and develop a spongy appearance. The cerebellum is the area of the brain responsible for coordinating voluntary movements and balance. As this tissue degenerates, the dog's nervous system loses the ability to properly control body movements.
DNA · Passing: Clear or Carrier
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 — Elbow Dysplasia
Both parents must be 0 oder 1 or better.
We compile mandatory tests from official breed regulations and veterinary databases — and check every uploaded certificate for authenticity.
L1 = mandatory under breed-club regulations. L2 = recommended or clinically indicated. L3 = lower prevalence. Every assignment carries a source and confidence rating.
VDH-Zuchtordnungen, CIDD (University of PEI), OMIA (University of Sydney), curated veterinary input.
Uploaded certificates are AI-extracted and reviewed by our team for authenticity, date, and result.
6 tests are currently mandatory under the relevant breed-club regulations. The most common are Elbow Dysplasia (ED), Hip dysplasia (HD), Lumbosacral Transitional Vertebra (LTV). Every test must be completed before mating, and the result must fall within the threshold defined by the regulation.
See breeders who have already uploaded their mandatory tests for verification.
View verified breedersHealth Testing Guide
Which tests are mandatory, how to spot responsible breeders — and what it costs when things go wrong.
For the Hollandse Herdershond (Dutch Shepherd Dog) we have compiled 6 mandatory and 2 recommended health tests, drawn from breed-club regulations, the University of PEI (CIDD), and OMIA — weighted by severity and heritability.
What this grade means
The Hollandse Herdershond is considered a robust working breed, but it does come with a few breed-specific health concerns that must be managed through mandatory health tests. The primary focus is on skeletal issues such as elbow dysplasia (ED) and lumbosacral transitional vertebrae (LÜW), which can limit mobility. Additionally, neurological conditions like degenerative myelopathy (DM) must be ruled out through targeted genetic testing of the parent dogs.
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 Hollandse Herdershond (Dutch Shepherd Dog) we track 6 mandatory tests plus 2 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 are not always predictive of severity in the puppies. Even so, they're a powerful tool used by every responsible breeder.
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.