Breeder-visit checklist — Belgian Malinois
What to ask, see, and take with you
1. Identity and rearing
- Breeder's full name and address
- Whelping date and number of litters the dam has had in the past 24 months
- If a registry breeder: kennel name and litter registration number (VDH / FCI / specialty or other club) — not required as long as all health tests are documented
- EU pet transport rules: puppy must be at least 8 weeks old and dewormed/vaccinated before handover
2. Core standard for both parents
Tests marked “Club standard” are required by Deutscher Klub für Belgische Schäferhunde e.V. (DKBS) for breeding approval; the others are part of the recommended health standard. For each test, ask to see the original certificate — date, vet, result.
| Test | Passing means | Dam | Sire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elbow Dysplasia (ED) X-ray Club standard | ED 0 or borderline | ☐ | ☐ |
| Hip dysplasia (HD) X-ray Club standard | HD A–B | ☐ | ☐ |
| Lumbosacral Transitional Vertebra (LTV) X-ray | LTV 0 | ☐ | ☐ |
3. Additionally recommended tests
Additionally relevant, depending on the line or specialty club.
| Test | Passing means | Dam | Sire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) (PRA) | Clear / Negative | ☐ | ☐ |
| Retinal Dysplasia (RD) Eye examination | Clear / Negative | ☐ | ☐ |
| Juvenile Cardiomyopathy and Mortality (Belgian Malinois) (CJM) DNA test | clear or carrier | ☐ | ☐ |
| Ataxia, CNS atrophy with cerebellar ataxia (Belgian Malinois) (CaCa) DNA test | clear or carrier | ☐ | ☐ |
| Cerebellar Ataxia (CA1) DNA test | clear or carrier | ☐ | ☐ |
| Spongy Degeneration with Cerebellar Ataxia 1 (SDCA1) (SDCA1) DNA test | clear or carrier | ☐ | ☐ |
| Spongy Degeneration with Cerebellar Ataxia 2 (SDCA2) (SDCA2) DNA test | clear or carrier | ☐ | ☐ |
4. Husbandry and rearing
- Puppies raised with the family / in the home (not in a kennel)
- Socialization plan: which stimuli before handover? (children, car, vacuum, other dogs)
- Deworming and vaccination protocol (min. 2× deworming, 1× core vaccine before handover)
- EU pet passport and microchip present
- Written sales contract with take-back clause