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Health Testing Guide
Which tests are mandatory, how to spot responsible breeders — and what it costs when things go wrong.
For the Shetland Sheepdog we've compiled 8 core tests (7 of them required by Club für Britische Hütehunde e.V. (CfBrH)) and 10 additionally recommended tests, drawn from breed-club regulations, the University of PEI (CIDD), and OMIA — weighted by severity and heritability.
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In the Shetland Sheepdog, breed-typical risks exist for eye diseases such as Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA) and Progressive Retinal Atrophy, as well as for the serious MDR1 gene defect (multidrug sensitivity) and Degenerative Myelopathy. The Club für Britische Hütehunde e.V. (CfBrH) therefore mandates genetic tests for these diseases, Von Willebrand Disease Type III (VWD III), as well as an ophthalmological eye exam and the prohibition of merle-to-merle matings for breeding approval. Breeding dogs may be carriers of hereditary diseases such as CEA or the MDR1 defect, provided that the mating partner is genetically clear. Responsible breeders additionally test for Hip Dysplasia (HD) and Dermatomyositis (DMS). Always ask to see the complete DNA test results of both parent animals and the veterinary eye examination before buying a puppy.
Every breed is susceptible to certain inherited conditions. Just like humans, dogs inherit predispositions from their parents. Responsible breeders screen their breeding dogs for these conditions and make informed mating decisions to reduce the risk passed on to puppies.
No — but it's the strongest tool we have. Diet, exercise, environment, and genetics all contribute to whether a dog develops a condition. When breeders use the right tests to identify risk in potential parents, the likelihood of many conditions appearing in the puppies drops significantly.
There's no one-size-fits-all here. The core standard for the Shetland Sheepdog covers 8 tests, 7 of them required by Club für Britische Hütehunde e.V. (CfBrH), plus 10 additional recommended tests. The specific tests and passing thresholds are detailed further below.
Keep in mind
Reliable screening tests still don't exist for many hereditary conditions, and tests for complex polygenic conditions don't always predict severity in the puppies. Even so, they're a powerful tool of responsible breeding.
There are two main types of health tests:
Screen the dog's DNA for known disease-causing mutations. Can be performed from puppyhood and give a binary result (clear / carrier / affected).
Clinical and imaging exams like X-ray, ultrasound, or ophthalmoscopy. They show how a predisposition actually manifests — usually only conclusive after 12–18 months.
We group breeding programs into three levels based on testing depth. Ask your breeder directly which level they meet.
A breeder at the Great level meets the Good level and performs 10 additional clinically recommended screenings that reduce risk in this breed.
In addition to Good:
Cryptorchidism
Andere
Cryptorchidism is a developmental condition of the male reproductive system where one or both testicles fail to descend normally into the scrotum. Instead, the undescended testicle remains trapped inside the abdomen or in the groin area. This failure to descend is a physical development issue rather than an active illness, but it alters how the reproductive organs develop.
Physical examination
Canine cyclic hematopoiesis(GCS)
Andere
This is an inherited bone marrow disorder where the body's production of blood cells, particularly infection-fighting white blood cells, drops drastically at regular intervals. This cyclic drop temporarily leaves the dog's immune system highly vulnerable to infections. The condition is caused by a genetic mutation affecting how stem cells in the bone marrow mature.
DNA test · Passing: clear or carrier
Distichiasis
Augen
Distichiasis is an eye condition where extra eyelashes grow from the meibomian glands, which are the oil glands along the edge of the eyelid. These abnormal hairs point inward and rub directly against the cornea, the clear outer surface of the eye. This constant friction causes mechanical irritation and can damage the sensitive ocular surface.
Eye examination · Passing: clear
Corneal dystrophy(CD)
Augen
Corneal dystrophy is an inherited eye disorder where abnormal, opaque materials like fats or calcium build up in the cornea, which is the clear outer layer of the eye. This accumulation typically affects both eyes and is non-inflammatory, meaning it does not cause immediate swelling or redness. Over time, these deposits can disrupt the smooth surface of the eye.
Eye examination · Passing: clear
Cataract(HC)
Augen
A cataract is a progressive clouding of the lens inside the dog's eye, which is the clear structure that focuses light onto the retina at the back of the eye. When the lens becomes cloudy or opaque, it blocks light from entering, gradually impairing the dog's vision. If left untreated, this condition can eventually lead to complete blindness in the affected eye.
Eye examination · Passing: clear
Microphthalmia
Augen
Microphthalmia is a congenital developmental disorder of the visual system where one or both of a dog's eyeballs are abnormally small. This structural defect occurs during embryonic development and is often accompanied by other eye abnormalities, such as cataracts, which are cloudy areas in the lens of the eye. Because the eyeball itself is underdeveloped, the surrounding eyelids may also appear droopy or misaligned.
Passing: clear
Hip dysplasia(HD)
Bewegungsapparat
Hip dysplasia is an inherited skeletal disorder where the ball and socket of the hip joint do not fit together properly. Instead of sliding smoothly, the bones rub and grind against each other, wearing down the protective cartilage. Over time, this chronic friction causes joint instability, painful inflammation, and progressive arthritis, which is the gradual wear and tear of the joint.
X-ray · Passing: HD A–C
Color Dilution Alopecia (CDA)(CDA)
Haut und Fell
Color Dilution Alopecia is a genetic skin disorder that affects dogs with diluted coat colors, such as blue or grey. It is caused by an abnormal distribution of pigment within the hair shafts, which makes the hair brittle and prone to breaking. This structural weakness leads to progressive hair loss and leaves the skin more vulnerable to irritation.
Skin test · Passing: clear or carrier
Dermatomyositis(DMS)
Haut und Fell
Dermatomyositis is an inherited, immune-mediated disease where the dog's immune system mistakenly attacks its own skin and underlying muscles, causing chronic inflammation. This condition primarily affects the blood vessels supplying these tissues, leading to tissue damage. It is most frequently diagnosed in Collies and Shetland Sheepdogs.
Skin test · Passing: clear or carrier
Congenital deafness(CHSD)
Nervensystem
Congenital deafness is a hereditary hearing loss present from birth that affects the inner ear's sensory cells, preventing sound signals from reaching the brain. It is usually genetic, occurs more often in certain breeds and is frequently linked to coat patterns such as merle or piebald.
Physical examination · Passing: hearing in both ears
These levels are a comparison framework, not an official certification. They help compare breeding programs at a glance.
A complete checklist with every core-standard and additionally recommended test, plus identity and rearing questions — take it with you.
Open the full checklistFor breeders
Machine-readable mating rules, minimum ages, scoring schemes, and what's required for HonestDog verification — as a printable guide.
Example rule — Merle coat pattern
Both parents must be no merle × merle mating or better.
We take mandatory tests from official breed regulations, build the recommended health standard from veterinary databases — and cross-check every uploaded certificate against the dog's profile using AI.
L1 = core standard: the club's required tests where its rules set them, otherwise the recommended health standard for the breed. L2 = additionally recommended or clinically indicated. L3 = lower prevalence. Every assignment carries a source and confidence rating.
VDH breeding regulations, CIDD (University of PEI), OMIA (University of Sydney), curated veterinary input.
Uploaded certificates are read by AI and checked for date, result, and consistency with the dog's profile — our team reviews anything inconclusive.
Not across the board. But these traits can play a role in the Shetland Sheepdog: Merle & double merle. Depending on the line, color or pairing, that is an extreme-breeding risk – what to look out for is explained on the linked pages.
Self-check
Answer 6 quick questions about your everyday life and see how well the Shetland Sheepdog fits you — including an honest cost estimate per month, per year, and across the dog's lifetime.
See breeders who have already uploaded their health test results for verification.
View verified breeders