Breeder-visit checklist — Saint Bernard
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. Mandatory tests for both parents
For each test, ask to see the original certificate — date, vet, result.
| Test | Passing means | Dam | Sire |
|---|---|---|---|
| DNA-Identitätsnachweis Blutprobe (DNA-Profil) | ordnungsgemäße Kennzeichnung (Chipnummer) | ☐ | ☐ |
3. Recommended tests
Relevant in addition depending on line or specialty club.
| Test | Passing means | Dam | Sire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) Roentgen | Clear / Negative | ☐ | ☐ |
| Dermoids Physisch | Clear / Negative | ☐ | ☐ |
| Exposure keratopathy syndrome (exophthalmos, lagophthalmos, and/or macroblepharon) (EKS) Augen | Clear / Negative | ☐ | ☐ |
| Cataract (HC) Augen | Clear / Negative | ☐ | ☐ |
| Elbow Dysplasia (ED) Roentgen | Grade 1 or better | ☐ | ☐ |
| Hip dysplasia (HD) Roentgen | C or better | ☐ | ☐ |
| Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (Cutaneous asthenia) (EDS) Haut | Clear / Negative | ☐ | ☐ |
| Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) Ultraschall | Clear / Negative | ☐ | ☐ |
| Epilepsy (IE) Physisch | Clear / Negative | ☐ | ☐ |
| Bleeding disorder | Clear / Negative | ☐ | ☐ |
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