Breeding suitability guide — King Charles Spaniel
For breeders: which tests, which thresholds, which mating rules apply
1. Recommended health standard for parents
These tests make up the recommended health standard for the King Charles Spaniel — the baseline of any careful breeding program. They should be on file for every breeding animal.
| Test / condition | Scoring scheme | Passing result | Inheritance | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cesarean section | Physical examination | up to two caesarean sections | Complex | — |
| Cryptorchidism | Physical examination | No testicular defects | Complex | — |
| Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) (BOAS) | Physical examination | No respiratory sounds, no labored breathing | Complex | — |
| Patellar Luxation (PL) | Physical examination | PL 0–1 | Polygenic | — |
| Paralyzed, permanently visible tongue | Physical examination | No paralyzed, constantly visible tongue | Complex | — |
2. Mating rules
When one parent has a borderline result, the other parent must meet specific criteria.
Patellar Luxation (PL)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ectropion / Entropion | — | clear | Complex | CIDD (Univ. PEI) |
| Cataract (HC) | Eye examination | clear | Complex | CIDD (Univ. PEI) |
| Retinal Dysplasia (RD) | Eye examination | clear | Complex | CIDD (Univ. PEI) |
| Episodic Falling (EF) | 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 extract the results from each upload using AI and check them for consistency with the dog's profile — the profile tile then shows 'verified'