Breeding suitability guide — Maltese
For breeders: which tests, which thresholds, which mating rules apply
1. Mandatory tests for parents
Malteser Club Deutschland 1983 e.V. requires these tests for breeding approval — they must be on file for every breeding animal.
| Test / condition | Scoring scheme | Passing result | Inheritance | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zahn- und Bissbewertung | Gebissbescheinigung | normal | Unknown | Malteser Club Deutschland 1983 e.V. |
| Patellar Luxation (PL) | Physical examination | PL 0–1 | Polygenic | Malteser Club Deutschland 1983 e.V. |
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.
Malteser Club Deutschland 1983 e.V.Congenital blindness
See the mating rule in your club's regulation.
Congenital deafness (CHSD)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cleft palate | Physical examination | clear | Complex | — |
| Cryptorchidism | Physical examination | — | Complex | CIDD (Univ. PEI) |
| Dental abnormalities | — | normal | Complex | — |
| Congenital blindness | Physical examination | clear | Complex | — |
| Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) (PDA) | Ultrasound | — | Polygenic | CIDD (Univ. PEI) |
| Congenital deafness (CHSD) | Physical examination | hearing in both ears | Complex | — |
| Epilepsy (IE) | Physical examination | no epilepsy | Complex | — |
| Hydrocephalus | X-ray | — | Complex | CIDD (Univ. PEI) |
| Shaker dog syndrome (GTS) | X-ray | — | Unknown | CIDD (Univ. PEI) |
| Portosystemic hepatic encephalopathy (PSS) | — | — | Complex | CIDD (Univ. PEI) |
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'