Breeding suitability guide — Saint Bernard
For breeders: which tests, which thresholds, which mating rules apply
1. Mandatory tests for parents
St. Bernhards-Klub e.V. requires these tests for breeding approval — they must be on file for every breeding animal.
| Test / condition | Scoring scheme | Passing result | Inheritance | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DNA-Identitätsnachweis | Blutprobe (DNA-Profil) | ordnungsgemäße Kennzeichnung (Chipnummer) | — | St. Bernhards-Klub e.V. |
| Hip dysplasia (HD) | X-ray | HD A–C (C only with A/B) | Polygenic | St. Bernhards-Klub e.V. |
2. Mating rules
When one parent has a borderline result, the other parent must meet specific criteria.
Hip dysplasia (HD)
See the mating rule in your club's regulation.
St. Bernhards-Klub e.V.Elbow Dysplasia (ED)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) | X-ray | — | Complex | CIDD (Univ. PEI) |
| Dermoids | Physical examination | — | Complex | CIDD (Univ. PEI) |
| Exposure keratopathy syndrome (exophthalmos, lagophthalmos, and/or macroblepharon) (EKS) | Eye examination | — | Complex | CIDD (Univ. PEI) |
| Cataract (HC) | Eye examination | — | Complex | CIDD (Univ. PEI) |
| Elbow Dysplasia (ED) | X-ray | ED 0–1 | Polygenic | — |
| Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (Cutaneous asthenia) (EDS) | Skin test | — | Autosomal dominant | CIDD (Univ. PEI) |
| Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) | Ultrasound | — | Complex | CIDD (Univ. PEI) |
| Epilepsy (IE) | Physical examination | — | Complex | CIDD (Univ. PEI) |
| Bleeding disorder | — | — | Unknown | 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'