Breeding suitability guide — Shetland Sheepdog
For breeders: which tests, which thresholds, which mating rules apply
1. Core standard for parents
Tests marked “Club standard” are required by Club für Britische Hütehunde e.V. (CfBrH) for breeding approval — they must be on file for every breeding animal. The others are part of the recommended health standard and should be on file as well.
| Test / condition | Scoring scheme | Passing result | Inheritance | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eye conditions (ophthalmological eye exam) (ECVO) Club standard | Eye examination | — | Complex | Club für Britische Hütehunde e.V. (CfBrH) |
| Collie eye anomaly (CEA) (CEA) Club standard | — | clear or carrier | Autosomal recessive | Club für Britische Hütehunde e.V. (CfBrH) |
| Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) (PRA) Club standard | — | clear or carrier | Autosomal recessive | Club für Britische Hütehunde e.V. (CfBrH) |
| Merle coat pattern (M) Club standard | — | no merle × merle mating | Autosomal dominant | Club für Britische Hütehunde e.V. (CfBrH) |
| Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) Club standard | DNA test | clear or carrier | Autosomal recessive | Club für Britische Hütehunde e.V. (CfBrH) |
| MDR1 gene mutation (drug sensitivity) (MDR1) Club standard | — | clear or carrier | Autosomal recessive | Club für Britische Hütehunde e.V. (CfBrH) |
| Von Willebrand disease type III (VWD III) Club standard | DNA test | — | Autosomal recessive | Club für Britische Hütehunde e.V. (CfBrH) |
| von Willebrand's disease (vWD) | — | clear or carrier | Autosomal recessive | CIDD (Univ. PEI) |
2. Mating rules
When one parent has a borderline result, the other parent must meet specific criteria.
Merle coat pattern (M)
See the mating rule in your club's regulation.
Club für Britische Hütehunde e.V. (CfBrH)Canine cyclic hematopoiesis (GCS)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cryptorchidism | Physical examination | — | Complex | CIDD (Univ. PEI) |
| Canine cyclic hematopoiesis (GCS) | DNA test | clear or carrier | Autosomal recessive | — |
| Distichiasis | Eye examination | clear | Complex | CIDD (Univ. PEI) |
| Corneal dystrophy (CD) | Eye examination | clear | Complex | CIDD (Univ. PEI) |
| Cataract (HC) | Eye examination | clear | Complex | CIDD (Univ. PEI) |
| Microphthalmia | — | clear | Complex | CIDD (Univ. PEI) |
| Hip dysplasia (HD) | X-ray | HD A–C | Polygenic | CIDD (Univ. PEI) |
| Color Dilution Alopecia (CDA) (CDA) | Skin test | clear or carrier | Complex | CIDD (Univ. PEI) |
| Dermatomyositis (DMS) | Skin test | clear or carrier | Complex | CIDD (Univ. PEI) |
| Congenital deafness (CHSD) | Physical examination | hearing in both ears | 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'