Loading health guide
Health Testing Guide
Which tests are mandatory, how to spot responsible breeders — and what it costs when things go wrong.
For the Weimaraner we've compiled 4 core tests (3 of them required by Weimaraner Klub e.V.) and 9 additionally recommended tests, drawn from breed-club regulations, the University of PEI (CIDD), and OMIA — weighted by severity and heritability.
View verified breedersWhat this grade means
In the Weimaraner, there are breed-typical risks for hip dysplasia (HD), cataracts, and hypothyroidism. For breeding approval, the Weimaraner Klub e.V. mandatorily requires X-ray examinations for hip dysplasia (HD) with a threshold of HD A–B, an ophthalmological eye examination, and a clear result for cataracts. A health-oriented breeder additionally tests the parent animals for hypothyroidism as well as elbow dysplasia (ED) and breed-specific hereditary conditions such as Weimaraner immunodeficiency syndrome (WIS). When buying a puppy, make sure to ask to see complete documentation of the HD A–B results, the current eye examination, and evidence of normal thyroid values.
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 Weimaraner covers 4 tests, 3 of them required by Weimaraner Klub e.V., plus 9 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 9 additional clinically recommended screenings that reduce risk in this breed.
In addition to Good:
Weimaraner immunodeficiency(WIS)
Andere
Weimaraner immunodeficiency is an inherited disorder of the immune system where affected dogs cannot produce enough antibodies, which are protective proteins needed to fight off illness. Without these antibodies, the dog's body struggles to defend itself against common bacterial and viral infections. This leads to frequent, severe infections throughout the body.
DNA test · Passing: clear or carrier
Gastric dilatation-volvulus(GDV)
Andere
Gastric dilatation-volvulus, commonly known as bloat, is a severe condition affecting the stomach and digestive system. It occurs when the stomach fills with gas and twists on itself, trapping the gas and blocking blood flow to vital organs. This twisting can rapidly lead to tissue damage and cardiovascular shock if not treated immediately.
X-ray
Elbow Dysplasia(ED)
Bewegungsapparat
Elbow dysplasia is a developmental disorder of the musculoskeletal system where the three bones forming the elbow joint do not fit together properly. This misalignment causes abnormal friction and wear on the joint cartilage, eventually leading to painful, chronic joint inflammation and arthritis. It is a complex genetic condition influenced by multiple genes.
X-ray · Passing: ED 0
Tricuspid valve dysplasia(TVD)
Herz
Tricuspid valve dysplasia is a congenital heart defect where the tricuspid valve, located on the right side of the heart, does not develop normally. This valve normally acts as a one-way gate, but its malformation prevents it from closing properly. As a result, blood leaks backward into the right atrium instead of flowing forward to the lungs, forcing the heart to work much harder.
Ultrasound · Passing: normal
Epilepsy(IE)
Nervensystem
Epilepsy is a chronic disorder of the brain and nervous system where abnormal electrical activity causes sudden, temporary disruptions in normal brain function. These disruptions lead to repeated seizures, which are involuntary changes in body movement, sensation, or behavior. Because the underlying cause is often complex, the brain's electrical signaling remains permanently prone to these sudden misfires.
Physical examination · Passing: {"resultNotOk": "Disease present"}
Hypomyelination(HYM)
Nervensystem
This is an inherited neurological disorder affecting the central nervous system, where the protective myelin sheath that insulates nerve fibers fails to develop properly. Without this adequate insulation, nerve signals cannot travel efficiently between the brain and the body. This disruption leads to impaired coordination and involuntary muscle movements.
Passing: clear
Urolithiasis
Nieren
Urolithiasis is the formation of mineral stones within the urinary tract, which includes the kidneys, bladder, and connecting tubes. These solid crystal clusters develop when minerals in the urine clump together instead of dissolving. Over time, these stones can irritate the sensitive lining of the urinary system or completely block the flow of urine.
Passing: clear
Hemophilia
Stoffwechsel
Hemophilia is an inherited blood clotting disorder affecting the circulatory system, where the body lacks specific proteins needed for coagulation, which is the process of blood clotting. Because the blood cannot clot properly, even minor injuries can lead to prolonged internal or external bleeding. This condition is inherited through an X-linked genetic trait, meaning it primarily affects male dogs.
Body-fluid analysis · Passing: clear
Pituitary dwarfism(PD)
Stoffwechsel
This is a congenital metabolic disorder where the pituitary gland, a small hormone-producing gland at the base of the brain, fails to develop properly. As a result, the body cannot produce enough growth hormone and other essential hormones. This lack of hormones severely impacts the dog's overall development and organ function.
Body-fluid analysis · Passing: clear
Not health tests, but required for breeding: the club asks for these results too. They don't count toward the risks or the rating.
DNA-Identitätsnachweis
Required by Weimaraner Klub e.V.
Acceptable result: mind. 5 ml EDTA Blut abgegeben
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 — Cataract
Both parents must be clear 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 Weimaraner: Colour dilution. 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 Weimaraner 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