Breeding suitability guide — Shetland Sheepdog
For breeders: which tests, which thresholds, which mating rules apply
1. Mandatory tests for parents
These tests must be on file for every breeding animal.
| Test / condition | Scoring scheme | Approved from | Inheritance | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Collie eye anomaly (CEA) (CEA) | — | Clear or Carrier | Autosomal recessive | CIDD |
| Merle coat pattern (M) | — | No Merle-to-Merle breeding | Autosomal dominant | Legacy |
| Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) | DNA | Clear or Carrier | Autosomal recessive | HD-Curated |
| MDR1 gene mutation (drug sensitivity) (MDR1) | — | Clear or Carrier | Autosomal recessive | HD-Curated |
| von Willebrand's disease (vWD) | — | Clear or Carrier | Autosomal recessive | CIDD |
2. Mating rules
When one parent has a borderline result, the other parent must meet specific criteria.
Merle coat pattern (M)
Polygenisch — beide Elterntiere sollten mindestens das Ergebnis "CARRIER" erreichen. Idealerweise besser. Phenotypen aus belasteten Linien sollten nicht für die Zucht herangezogen werden.
LegacyCanine cyclic hematopoiesis (GCS)
Autosomal rezessiv: Zwei Träger (CARRIER) dürfen nicht miteinander verpaart werden — 25% der Welpen wären betroffen. Betroffene Hunde sollten gar nicht in der Zucht eingesetzt werden.
Legacy3. Recommended additional tests
Sensible additions for line planning.
| Test / condition | Scoring scheme | Approved from | Inheritance | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canine cyclic hematopoiesis (GCS) | DNA | CARRIER | Autosomal recessive | Legacy |
| Microphthalmia | — | CLEAR | Complex | CIDD |
| Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) (PRA) | — | CARRIER | Autosomal recessive | CIDD |
| Corneal dystrophy (CD) | Augen | CLEAR | Complex | CIDD |
| Distichiasis | Augen | CLEAR | Complex | CIDD |
| Cataract (HC) | Augen | CLEAR | Complex | CIDD |
| Hip dysplasia (HD) | Roentgen | FCI Grade C or better | Polygenic | CIDD |
| Cryptorchidism | Physisch | CARRIER | Complex | CIDD |
| Color Dilution Alopecia (CDA) (CDA) | Haut | CARRIER | Complex | CIDD |
| Dermatomyositis (DMS) | Haut | CARRIER | Complex | CIDD |
| Congenital deafness (CHSD) | Physisch | BILATERAL_HEARING | Complex | CIDD |
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 check each upload for authenticity — the profile tile then shows 'verified'