Breeding suitability guide — Staffordshire Bull Terrier
For breeders: which tests, which thresholds, which mating rules apply
1. Mandatory tests for parents
Deutscher Club für Bullterrier 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elbow Dysplasia (ED) | X-ray | ED 0–1 | Polygenic | Deutscher Club für Bullterrier e.V. |
| Hip dysplasia (HD) | X-ray | HD A–B | Polygenic | Deutscher Club für Bullterrier e.V. |
| D-Locus (d1) (D-Lokus) | DNA test | result on file | Autosomal recessive | Deutscher Club für Bullterrier e.V. |
| Heart disease | Physical examination | grade 0–1 | Complex | Deutscher Club für Bullterrier e.V. |
| L-2-Hydroxyglutaric Aciduria (Staffordshire Bull Terrier) (L-2-HGA) | DNA test | clear or carrier | Autosomal recessive | Deutscher Club für Bullterrier e.V. |
2. Mating rules
When one parent has a borderline result, the other parent must meet specific criteria.
Elbow Dysplasia (ED)
See the mating rule in your club's regulation.
Deutscher Club für Bullterrier e.V.D-Locus (d1) (D-Lokus)
See the mating rule in your club's regulation.
Deutscher Club für Bullterrier e.V.Heart disease
See the mating rule in your club's regulation.
Deutscher Club für Bullterrier e.V.Ectropion / Entropion
See the mating rule in your club's regulation.
Cataract (HC)
See the mating rule in your club's regulation.
Lens luxation (PLL)
See the mating rule in your club's regulation.
Persistent Hyperplastic Tunica Vasculosa Lentis (PHTVL) and Persistent Hyperplastic Primary Vitreous (PHPV) (PHTVL/PHPL)
See the mating rule in your club's regulation.
Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma (POAG)
See the mating rule in your club's regulation.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) (PRA)
See the mating rule in your club's regulation.
Congenital deafness (CHSD)
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 | no testicular defects | Complex | — |
| Congenital blindness | Physical examination | clear | Complex | — |
| Ectropion / Entropion | — | clear | Complex | — |
| Cataract (HC) | Eye examination | clear or carrier | Complex | — |
| Lens luxation (PLL) | Eye examination | clear | Autosomal recessive | — |
| Persistent Hyperplastic Tunica Vasculosa Lentis (PHTVL) and Persistent Hyperplastic Primary Vitreous (PHPV) (PHTVL/PHPL) | Eye examination | clear | Complex | — |
| Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma (POAG) | Eye examination | clear | Autosomal recessive | — |
| Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) (PRA) | — | clear | Autosomal recessive | — |
| Demodicosis / Demodectic mange | Skin test | no demodicosis | Complex | — |
| Congenital deafness (CHSD) | Physical examination | hearing in both ears | Complex | — |
| Deafness | Hearing test | hearing in both ears | Complex | — |
| Familial Nephropathy (FN) | Body-fluid analysis | Nierenultraschall-Befund | Autosomal recessive | — |
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'