Breeding suitability guide — White Swiss Shepherd Dog
For breeders: which tests, which thresholds, which mating rules apply
1. Core standard for parents
Tests marked “Club standard” are required by Rassezuchtverein für Weisse Schweizer Schäferhunde e.V. (RWS) 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DNA-Identitätsnachweis Club standard | Blutprobe (DNA-Profil) | result on file | — | Rassezuchtverein für Weisse Schweizer Schäferhunde e.V. (RWS) |
| Wesensbeurteilung Club standard | Verhaltenstest | result on file | — | Rassezuchtverein für Weisse Schweizer Schäferhunde e.V. (RWS) |
| Zahn- und Bissbewertung Club standard | Gebissbescheinigung | normal | Unknown | Rassezuchtverein für Weisse Schweizer Schäferhunde e.V. (RWS) |
| Elbow Dysplasia (ED) Club standard | X-ray | ED 0 or borderline | Polygenic | Rassezuchtverein für Weisse Schweizer Schäferhunde e.V. (RWS) |
| Hip dysplasia (HD) Club standard | X-ray | HD A–B | Polygenic | Rassezuchtverein für Weisse Schweizer Schäferhunde e.V. (RWS) |
| Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) Club standard | DNA test | clear or carrier | Autosomal recessive | Rassezuchtverein für Weisse Schweizer Schäferhunde e.V. (RWS) |
| MDR1 gene mutation (drug sensitivity) (MDR1) Club standard | — | clear or carrier (carriers only with a clear partner) | Autosomal recessive | Rassezuchtverein für Weisse Schweizer Schäferhunde e.V. (RWS) |
| Deafness | Hearing test | — | Complex | Curated by HonestDog |
| Cerebellar hypoplasia (CH) Club standard | DNA test | clear or carrier | Autosomal recessive | Rassezuchtverein für Weisse Schweizer Schäferhunde e.V. (RWS) |
| Pituitary dwarfism (PD) Club standard | Body-fluid analysis | clear or carrier | Autosomal recessive | Rassezuchtverein für Weisse Schweizer Schäferhunde e.V. (RWS) |
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.
Rassezuchtverein für Weisse Schweizer Schäferhunde e.V. (RWS)Degenerative Myelopathy (DM)
See the mating rule in your club's regulation.
Rassezuchtverein für Weisse Schweizer Schäferhunde e.V. (RWS)MDR1 gene mutation (drug sensitivity) (MDR1)
See the mating rule in your club's regulation.
Rassezuchtverein für Weisse Schweizer Schäferhunde e.V. (RWS)Eye conditions (ophthalmological eye exam) (ECVO)
See the mating rule in your club's regulation.
Ectropion / Entropion
See the mating rule in your club's regulation.
Albinism
See the mating rule in your club's regulation.
Heart disease
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 | — |
| Dental abnormalities | — | No dental defects | Complex | — |
| Eye conditions (ophthalmological eye exam) (ECVO) | Eye examination | clear | Complex | — |
| Ectropion / Entropion | — | clear | Complex | — |
| Albinism | DNA test | clear or carrier | Autosomal recessive | — |
| Vitiligo | Skin test | No pigment loss | Complex | — |
| Heart disease | Physical examination | normal | Complex | — |
| Epilepsy (IE) | Physical examination | No epilepsy | Complex | — |
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'