Breeder-visit checklist — Miniature American Shepherd
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. Recommended health standard for both parents
These tests make up the recommended health standard for the Miniature American Shepherd. For each test, ask to see the original certificate — date, vet, result.
| Test | Passing means | Dam | Sire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cataract (HC) Eye examination | clear | ☐ | ☐ |
| Persistent pupillary membranes (PPM) (PPM) Eye examination | result on file | ☐ | ☐ |
| Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) (PRA) | clear or carrier | ☐ | ☐ |
| Retinal Dysplasia (RD) Eye examination | clear | ☐ | ☐ |
| Hip dysplasia (HD) X-ray | HD A–B | ☐ | ☐ |
| Epilepsy (IE) Physical examination | no epilepsy | ☐ | ☐ |
| MDR1 gene mutation (drug sensitivity) (MDR1) | clear or carrier | ☐ | ☐ |
3. Additionally recommended tests
Additionally relevant, depending on the line or specialty club.
| Test | Passing means | Dam | Sire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Collie eye anomaly (CEA) (CEA) | clear or carrier | ☐ | ☐ |
| Distichiasis Eye examination | result on file | ☐ | ☐ |
| Cone Degeneration (CD) DNA test | clear or carrier | ☐ | ☐ |
| Brachyury (NBT) Physical examination | clear or carrier | ☐ | ☐ |
| Chondrodysplasia, SLC13A1-related | clear | ☐ | ☐ |
| Elbow Dysplasia (ED) X-ray | ED 0 | ☐ | ☐ |
| Patellar Luxation (PL) Physical examination | PL 0–1 | ☐ | ☐ |
| Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) DNA test | clear | ☐ | ☐ |
| Hyperuricosuria (HUU) Body-fluid analysis | 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