Loading health guide
Health Testing Guide
Which tests matter, how to spot responsible breeders — and what it costs when things go wrong.
For the Icelandic Sheepdog we've compiled 12 tests in the recommended health standard and 2 additionally recommended tests, drawn from veterinary databases such as CIDD (University of PEI) and OMIA — weighted by severity and heritability.
View verified breedersWhat this grade means
In the Icelandic Sheepdog, health risks primarily concern the joints and eyes, especially hip dysplasia (HD), cataracts, and primary lens luxation (PLL). A health-oriented breeder therefore has their breeding dogs comprehensively examined to systematically rule out hereditary eye diseases such as progressive retinal atrophy and pectinate ligament dysplasia (PLD). When buying a puppy, pay specific attention to the certificates: ask to see proof for both parents of a hip dysplasia (HD) grade of A to C and proof of PL 0 for patellar luxation (PL). You should also insist on official eye screening results confirming that both parents are free from primary lens luxation (PLL), distichiasis, and corneal dystrophy.
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. The recommended health standard for the Icelandic Sheepdog covers 12 tests, plus 2 additional recommended tests. 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 meets the Good level and performs 2 additional clinically recommended screenings that reduce risk in this breed.
In addition to Good:
Eye conditions (ophthalmological eye exam)(ECVO)
Augen
This refers to a variety of hereditary eye conditions affecting the structures of the eye, such as the lens, retina, or eyelids. An ophthalmological eye exam is a specialized clinical screening used to detect these genetic defects, which include cataracts (clouding of the lens) or progressive retinal atrophy (gradual degeneration of the light-sensitive retina). Early detection through these screenings helps identify issues before they cause permanent vision loss or chronic pain.
Eye examination · Passing: clear
Patellar Luxation(PL)
Bewegungsapparat
Patellar luxation, also known as a luxating patella, is a physical condition affecting the knee joint where the kneecap slips out of its normal groove. This misalignment interferes with the mechanical movement of the hind leg and can cause the joint to lock. Over time, this abnormal friction can lead to painful joint wear and tear, known as osteoarthritis.
Physical examination · Passing: PL 0
These levels are a comparison framework, not an official certification. They help compare breeding programs at a glance.
A complete checklist with every core-standard and additionally 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 — Distichiasis
Both parents must be clear or better.
We take mandatory tests from official breed regulations, build the recommended health standard from veterinary databases — and cross-check every uploaded certificate against the dog's profile using AI.
L1 = core standard: the club's required tests where its rules set them, otherwise the recommended health standard for the breed. L2 = additionally 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 Icelandic Sheepdog is not currently listed in our extreme-breeding overview. That does not mean it is free of hereditary disease: which ones are typical, and which tests the parents should have, is on this page.
Self-check
Answer 6 quick questions about your everyday life and see how well the Icelandic Sheepdog fits you — including an honest cost estimate per month, per year, and across the dog's lifetime.
See breeders who have already uploaded their health test results for verification.
View verified breeders