Breed-specific requirements and recommendations including health screening

Key to official health screening schemes, DNA tests, breed club and other schemes

The Kennel Club Assured Breeders must participate in any breed health survey or reasonable health initiative in their breed(s).
What is a requirement?
  • Requirements are restricted to tests where an official Kennel Club scheme is in operation and the results are already recorded by Kennel Club systems and published online on our Health Test Results Finder
  • Automated checks on both dam and sire are performed using Kennel Club records at the time of an assured breeder litter registration application and all health requirements must be fulfilled before any litter registrations can proceed
What is a recommendation?
  • Recommendations from our Assured Breeders scheme are expected to be conducted or followed and compliance will be checked by your assessor at the time of a visit and as necessary thereafter
  • Recommendations can include anything that impacts the health or welfare of the breeding dogs or subsequent puppies
  • Recommendations do not have to be part of official Kennel Club schemes
Why can I not find my breed on this list?
Any breed that does not appear on the list currently has no breed-specific health screening requirements or recommendations within our Assured Breeders scheme.
Do these requirements and recommendations only apply to the dog I own?
No, these apply to both dam and sire for every litter bred.
Where can I find out more about testing and screening schemes for my breeds?
For more information, please visit our Breeds A to Z.
Who can I talk to about changing my breed's requirements and recommendations?
Requirements and recommendations are added at the request of a breed club or clubs. Current contact details for all breed club secretaries are listed on Find a Club.
Who can I contact for general enquiries about our Assured Breeders scheme?
Further information can be obtained via email or by calling 01296 318 540.

Important information for all breeds

If relevant to your breed, these health tests (1 to 6) must be completed prior to mating.
  1. Hip scoring: should be conducted under the hip dysplasia screening scheme
  2. Elbow grading: should be conducted under the elbow dysplasia screening scheme
  3. Eye testing: should be carried out before breeding under the eye screening scheme or the ECVO scheme. Eye examinations should be within 12 months prior to the date of mating. Gonioscopy is a separate eye test (for predisposition to glaucoma) and, where relevant, should be repeated every three years and, for litter registration purposes, must be within three years prior to the date of mating
  4. DNA tests: there are various official DNA testing schemes depending on the condition concerned. Where a DNA test is a requirement for a breed, both parents must have either been tested, or have proven hereditary clear status, with at least one parent being clear of the relevant condition
  5. BAER testing: BAER (Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response) testing is most commonly conducted on litters aged between 5½ and 6½ weeks, but can also be conducted on adults. It provides an accurate indication of the hearing status of the individual dog, which can be either bilaterally deaf (hearing impaired in both ears), unilaterally deaf (hearing impaired in one ear) or unaffected (normal hearing in both ears). Individual dogs must be microchipped and Kennel Club registered prior to testing. View a list of BAER testing centres in the UK
  6. The Kennel Club and University of Cambridge Respiratory Function Grading Scheme: the scheme tests for breathing ability (BOAS) and should be used for all breeding stock over the age of 12 months, and repeated every two years, for as long as the dog is being used for breeding. View a list of regional assessors for the scheme
  7. The Kennel Club Heart Scheme for Cavalier King Charles Spaniels: supported by the Veterinary Cardiovascular Society, this scheme assesses Cavalier King Charles Spaniels for mitral valve disease and other potentially significant heart diseases. The scheme advises owners if their dog is affected by heart disease and gives guidance to breeders on how to lower the risk of producing affected puppies. The scheme should be used for all breeding stock over the age of 18 months, and repeated every two years, for as long as the dog is being used for breeding. View a list of approved cardiologists (vets specially trained in heart conditions) who have been appointed to carry out heart grading on dogs
  8. IVDD screening: this is to test for disease affecting a Dachshund’s spine, through the number of calcified discs, which allows for breeders to get an understanding of their dog’s risk of being affected by back disease in the future, and how to reduce the risk of producing affected puppies. Further information can be found on the Dachshund Breed Council website
  9. Chiari-like malformation (CM)/syringomyelia (SM) screening: the BVA/KC CM/SM scheme assesses MRI scans for signs of, and the degree to which, a dog may be affected by CM/SM. CM is a fault in the development of the skull, causing part of the brain to protrude at the back of the skull. SM refers to the presence of one or more pockets that develop in the spinal cord, called syrinxes. There are a number of veterinary centres which offer MRI scanning facilities using the protocol recommended by the scheme. Read more about the CM/SM screening scheme
DNA testing
Breeders should never knowingly conduct matings that may produce puppies affected by a genetic condition which has a negative impact on health or welfare. Therefore, any dog or bitch which has an abnormal result (i.e. “affected” or “carrier”) for any DNA test should only be mated to an individual which is known to be clear from that condition, either through genetic testing or by descent.
Coefficients of Inbreeding
All assured breeders should refer to inbreeding coefficient calculators to assist them in making balanced breeding decisions. Breeders can use The Kennel Club’s Inbreeding Coefficient, or, if available, another database which contains more pedigree information. The inbreeding coefficient of the potential litter should be considered, rather than that of each individual parent. Current guidance is that, where possible, breeders should breed at or below the breed average inbreeding coefficient. Breeders should always take into consideration the number of generations used to produce the calculation and the number of offspring already sired by the male.

Requirements and recommendations for health screening breeding stock

Both the sire and dam of any litter registered by an assured breeder should have been screened as per the requirements column in the tables below.

* Breeds and health tests marked with an asterisk are either new additions to this list or have had a recent change to their requirements and/or recommendations. Existing assured breeders have a six-month period of grace before compliance with new requirements and/or recommendations comes into effect.
Breeds A to C
Breeds Requirements for health screening of breeding stock Recommendations for health screening of breeding stock
Affenpinscher None Patella testing - breed club scheme
Afghan Hound None Bitches under 2 years not to produce a litter
Airedale Terrier Hip scoring Bitches under two years not to be mated
Akita Hip scoring Eye testing
Alaskan Malamute 1. Hip scoring
2. Eye testing		 1. Bitches not to be mated before third season
2. Bitches under two years not to produce a litter
3. Bitches not to produce more than one litter within a 12-month period
4. DNA test - Alaskan Malamute Polyneuropathy (AMPN)
5. DNA test - Cone degeneration
Anatolian Shepherd Dog Hip scoring None
Australian Cattle Dog* 1. DNA test - prcd-PRA
2. Eye testing*		 1. Hip scoring
2. Elbow grading
3. BAER testing (deafness)
Australian Shepherd 1. Hip scoring
2. DNA test - HC-HSF4
3. Eye testing		 1. Elbow grading
2. DNA test - CEA/CH
3. DNA test - MDR1
4. DNA test - prcd-PRA
5. DNA test - Cobalamin Malabsorption
6. Blood test for Pelger-Huet Anomaly
Basenji None Eye testing
Basset Griffon Vendeen (Petit)* 1. DNA test - Primary Open Angle Glaucoma (POAG)
2. Eye testing		 None
Basset Hound* 1. Eye testing - PLA (Gonioscopy)
2. Eye testing*		 1. Elbow grading
2. Participation in the Basset Hound Health Group Health Certificate to at least silver level
Bavarian Mountain Hound (Imp) Hip scoring 1. Breed club aptitude test
2. Bitches under 2 years not to produce a litter
Beagle* 1. DNA test - Musladin-Lueke syndrome
2. DNA test - Lafora’s disease		 1. DNA test - NCCD
2. Bitches under 18 months not to produce a litter
Bearded Collie Hip scoring 1. DNA test - CEA
2. Eye testing
Beauceron (Imp) Hip scoring 1. Eye testing
2. Bitches not to produce more than one litter within a 12-month period
3. Bitches under 2 years not to produce a litter
4. No puppy to leave the breeder before eight weeks
Bedlington Terrier* Eye testing* DNA test - CT
Belgian Shepherd Dog 1. Hip scoring
2. Eye testing		 None
Bernese Mountain Dog 1. Hip scoring
2. Elbow grading		 Bitches under 2 years not to produce a litter
Bichon Frise Eye testing None
Bloodhound* None

1. Hip scoring*
2. Elbow grading*
3. Eye testing*
Border Collie* 1. Hip scoring
2. Eye testing
3. Eye Testing - PLA (Gonioscopy)*		 1. DNA test - CEA
2. DNA test - NCL
3. DNA test - TNS
Border Terrier None DNA test - SLEM
Boston Terrier 1. Eye testing
2. DNA test - HC-HSF4		 None
Boxer None 1. Hip scoring
2. Breed club - heart testing (aortic stenosis)
Bracco Italiano None 1. Hip scoring
2. Elbow grading
3. Eye Testing
Braque D’Auvergne (IMP)* Hip scoring* 1. Eye testing*
2. Bitches under 2 years not to produce a litter
Briard* 1. Hip scoring
2. DNA test - CSNB
3. Eye testing		 None
Brittany Hip scoring None
Bull Terrier (Miniature)* 1. DNA test - PLL
2. Eye testing*		 1. Breed club - heart testing
2. Breed club - kidney testing
Bull Terrier None 1. BAER testing
2. Breed club - heart testing
3. Breed club kidney testing
Bulldog* Respiratory Function Grading Scheme* 1. Bulldog Breed Council Health Scheme to at least bronze level
2. DNA test - HUU
Bullmastiff* Hip scoring* Elbow grading*
Cairn Terrier None 1. Eye testing
2. Bile acid testing of puppies
Canaan Dog None 1. Eye testing
2. Hip scoring
3. Patella testing - breed club scheme
4. Check for cryptorchidism
Catalan Sheepdog Hip scoring Eye testing
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel* 1. Eye testing
2. DNA test - EF
3. DNA test - CC/DE
4. The Kennel Club Heart Scheme for Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, supported by the Veterinary Cardiovascular Society*		 1. BVA/KC CM/SM Syringomyelia test
Cesky Terrier None Eye testing
Chinese Crested None 1. DNA test - PLL
2. DNA test - prcd-PRA
Chow Chow None 1. Hip scoring
2. Elbow grading
3. Eye testing
4. Chow Chow Breed Council bronze health assessment
Cirneco dell’Etna None 1. No stud dog to be used under 18 months of age
2. No stud dog to be used on a bitch of less than 2 years of age
3. Bitches under 2 years not to be mated
Collie (Rough) 1. Hip scoring
2. Eye testing		 1. DNA test - CEA
2. DNA test - MDR1
Collie (Smooth) Eye testing 1. Hip scoring
2. DNA test - CEA
3. DNA test - MDR1
4. Litter screening for CEA
Breeds D to G
Breeds Requirements for health screening of breeding stock Recommendations for health screening of breeding stock
Dachshund (Long Haired)* None IVDD screening*
Dachshund (Miniature Long-haired)* 1. DNA test - GPRA (cord 1) 1. IVDD screening*
2. Eye testing*
Dachshund (Miniature Smooth-haired)* DNA test - GPRA (cord 1) IVDD screening*
Dachshund (Miniature Wire-haired)* 1. DNA test - GPRA (cord 1)
2. DNA test - Lafora’s disease		 IVDD screening*
Dachshund (Smooth Haired)* None IVDD screening*
Dachshund (Wire Haired)* None IVDD screening*
Dalmatian BAER testing of puppies (deafness) 1. Hip scoring
2. Bitches under 2 years not to produce a litter
3. Bitches not to produce more than one litter within a 12-month period
Dandie Dinmont Terrier* 1. Eye testing*
2. Eye testing - PLA (Gonioscopy)*		 None
Deerhound None Litters to be screened for liver shunt prior to being sold
Dobermann* 1. Hip scoring
2. DNA test - vWD		 Eye testing*
Dogue de Bordeaux* 1. Hip scoring
2. Elbow scoring*		 None
English Setter Hip scoring Bitches under 2 years not to produce a litter
English Toy Terrier (Black & Tan) None Breed club - patella luxation
Estrela Mountain Dog Hip scoring None
Eurasier 1. Hip scoring
2. Eye testing*
3. Elbow grading		 Patella testing - breed club scheme
Fox Terrier (Smooth)* Eye testing* None
Fox Terrier (Wire)* Eye testing* None
Finnish Lapphund 1. Hip scoring
2. Eye testing		 DNA test - prcd-PRA
French Bulldog* Respiratory Function Grading Scheme* 1. DNA test - HC-HSF4
2. Participation in French Bulldog Health Scheme
3. Eye testing*
German Shepherd Dog* 1. Hip scoring
2. Eye testing*
3. DNA test - DM (CDRM)		 1. Elbow grading
2. Breed club - haemophilia testing for males
3. Bitches under 2 years not to produce a litter
4. No stud dog to be used under 18 months of age
German Shorthaired Pointer Hip scoring Bitches under 2 years not to produce a litter
German Spitz (Klein) None Eye testing
German Spitz (Mittel) None Eye testing
German Wirehaired Pointer 1. Hip scoring
2. Genetic status of breeding stock with respect to vWD should be known, either by direct DNA testing or by inference from parental DNA test results
3. Elbow grading		 Breed club heart testing (echocardiogram)
Giant Schnauzer Eye testing 1. Hip scoring
2. Eye testing (litter screening)
3. DNA test - prcd-PRA
4. DNA test - DCM
5. DNA test PRA5
Glen of Imaal Terrier* 1. DNA test - PRA (crd3)
2. Eye testing*		 None
Gordon Setter* 1. Hip scoring
2. DNA test - PRA (rcd4)
3. Eye testing*		 Bitches under 21 months not to produce a litter
Great Dane None 1. Hip scoring
2. Breed club - heart testing (cardiomyopathy)
3. Bitches under 2 years not to produce a litter
Breeds H to P
Breeds Requirements for health screening of breeding stock Recommendations for health screening of breeding stock
Hamiltonstovare None 1. Bitches under 2 years not to produce a litter
2. Bitches not to produce more than one litter within a 12-month period
Hovawart Hip scoring Breed club - thyroid function test
Hungarian Puli* 1. Hip scoring
2. Eye testing*		 Bitches under 18 months not to be mated
Hungarian Vizsla* 1. Hip scoring
2. Eye testing*
3. Eye testing - PLA (Gonioscopy)*
4. Elbow grading		 1. Bitches under 2 years not to produce a litter
2. Bitches not to produce more than one litter within a 12-month period
Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla Hip scoring 1. Bitches under 2 years not to produce a litter
2. Bitches not to produce more than one litter within a 12-month period
Irish Red & White Setter 1. Eye testing
2. DNA test - CLAD
3. DNA test - vWD		 Hip scoring
Irish Setter* 1. Hip scoring
2. DNA test - CLAD
3. DNA test - PRA (rcd1)
4. DNA test - PRA (rcd4)*
5. Eye testing*		 Bitches under 2 years not to produce a litter
Irish Wolfhound* Eye testing* 1. Breed club - liver shunt testing of all puppies prior to being sold
2. All hounds used for breeding take part annually in a heart testing scheme approved by the Irish Wolfhound Club: the minimum requirement being examination by stethoscope, ECG and ultrasound scan
3. Bitches under 2 years not to produce a litter
4. Bitches over 6 years not to produce a litter
5. Bitches not to produce more than one litter within a 12-month period
Italian Spinone 1. Hip scoring

2. DNA (linkage) test - CA: this requirement has been temporarily removed until such time as a suitable laboratory is able to conduct the test.

Bitches under 2 years not to produce a litter
Jack Russell Terrier None 1. DNA test - LOA
2. DNA test - PLL
3. DNA test - SCA
4. Eye testing
Japanese Shiba Inu* 1. Eye testing - PLA (Gonioscopy)
2. Eye testing*		 None
Keeshond DNA test - PHPT None
Korthals Griffon (Imp) None 1. Hip scoring
2. Elbow grading
Lagotto Romagnolo DNA test - Juvenile Epilepsy (JE) 1. Hip scoring
2. Elbow grading
3. DNA test - Lysosomal Storage Disease (LSD)
4. Eye testing
Lancashire Heeler 1. Eye testing
2. DNA test - PLL
3. DNA test - CEA		 None
Large Munsterlander* 1. Hip scoring
2. Eye testing
3. Elbow grading
4. DNA test - HUU*		 None
Leonberger* 1. Hip scoring
2. Eye testing
3. Eye testing - PLA (Gonioscopy)
4. Elbow grading*		 1. Bitches under 2 years not to produce a litter
2. DNA test - LPN1*
3. DNA test - LPN2*
4. DNA test - LEMP*
Lhasa Apso* 1. DNA test - PRA4
2. Eye testing*		 None
Manchester Terrier DNA test - vWD None
Maremma Sheepdog Hip scoring None
Mastiff Hip scoring 1. Elbow grading
2. Bitches under 20 months not to produce a litter
3. Bitches over 6 years not to produce a litter
Miniature Schnauzer* 1. Eye testing
2. DNA test - MAC*		 Eye testing (litter screening)
Neapolitan Mastiff None 1. Hip scoring
2. Eye testing
3. Seek breed club advice on heart testing
Newfoundland 1. Hip scoring
2. DNA test - Cystinuria (CU)
3. Elbow grading		 1. Breed club - heart testing
2. Bitches under 2 years not to produce a litter
3. Bitches over 7 years not to produce a litter
Norwegian Buhund 1. Hip scoring
2. Eye testing		 None
Norwegian Elkhound* 1. Hip scoring
2. DNA test - prcd-PRA
3. Eye testing*		 None
Old English Sheepdog 1. Hip scoring
2. Eye testing		 DNA test - PCD
Otterhound 1. Hip scoring
2. Elbow grading		 Breed club - advice on epilepsy/fitting
Papillon* 1. DNA test - pap-PRA1*
2. Eye testing*		 Patella testing - breed club scheme
Parson Russell Terrier* 1. DNA test - PLL
2. DNA test - Late Onset Ataxia (LOA)
3. DNA test - Spinocerebellar Ataxia (SCA)
4. Eye testing*		 None
Pharaoh Hound None Patella testing under breed club scheme
Polish Lowland Sheepdog Hip scoring None
Poodle (Miniature)* 1. DNA test - prcd-PRA
2. Eye testing*		 None
Poodle (Standard) 1. Hip scoring
2. Eye testing		 Breed club - sebaceous adenitis testing
Poodle (Toy)* 1. DNA test - prcd-PRA
2. Eye testing*		 None
Pug* Respiratory Function Grading Scheme* 1. Hemivertibrae (HV) checking of parents by x-ray after 12 months of age
2. Patella testing - breed club scheme
3. Participation in the Five Star Health Scheme or National Pug Health Scheme*
Pyrenean Mastiff None 1. Hip scoring
2. Eye testing
Pyrenean Mountain Dog Hip scoring None
Pyrenean Sheepdog None 1. Hip scoring
2. Breed club - heart testing (puppies) for Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA)
Breeds R to W
Breeds Requirements for health screening of breeding stock Recommendations for health screening of breeding stock
Retriever (Chesapeake Bay) 1. Hip scoring
2. Eye testing
3. Elbow grading		 DNA test - prcd-PRA
Retriever (Curly Coated) Hip scoring None
Retriever (Flat Coated)* 1. Hip scoring
2. Eye Testing - PLA (Gonioscopy)
3. Eye testing*		 1. Bitches under 2 years not to produce a litter
2. Bitches not to produce more than three litters in their lifetime
3. Bitches not to produce more than one litter within a 12-month period
Retriever (Golden)* 1. Hip scoring
2. Eye testing
3. Elbow grading*
4. Eye testing - PLA (Gonioscopy)*		 1. Bitches under 18 months not to produce a litter
2. Bitches not to produce more than one litter within a 12-month period
Retriever (Labrador)* 1. Hip scoring
2. Eye testing
3. Elbow grading*		 DNA test - prcd-PRA
Retriever (Nova Scotia Duck Tolling)* 1. Hip scoring
2. DNA test - prcd-PRA
3. DNA test - CEA
4. DNA test - Degenerative Encephalopathy (DE)
5. Eye testing*		 1. Bitches under 2 years not to produce a litter
2. Bitches not to produce more than one litter within a 12-month period
3. Dogs under 2 years not to be used at stud
4. DNA test - Degenerative Myelopathy (DM)
Rhodesian Ridgeback 1. Hip scoring
2. DNA test -JME		 1. Breed club - dermoid sinus check (puppies)
2. Bitches under 2 years not to produce a litter
3. Bitches not to produce more than three litters in their lifetime
4. Bitches not to produce more than one litter within a 12-month period
5. Elbow grading
Rottweiler* 1. Hip scoring
2. Elbow grading
3. Eye testing*		 1. Bitches under 2 years not to produce a litter
2. Bitches not to produce more than one litter within a 12-month period
Russian Black Terrier 1. Elbow grading
2. Hip scoring		 1. Breeders should issue grooming advice
2. Bitches under 2 years not to produce a litter
3. DNA test - HUU
Saluki* None DNA test - Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis (NCL)*
Samoyed Hip scoring 1. Eye Testing
2. Breeders should issue grooming advice
Schipperke None DNA test - MPS IIIB
Sealyham Terrier* 1. DNA test - PLL
2. Eye testing*		 None
Shar Pei* Eye testing* 1. Bitches under 2 years not to produce a litter
2. DNA test - POAG/PLL
Shetland Sheepdog Eye testing 1. Hip scoring
2. DNA test - CEA
Siberian Husky 1. Hip scoring
2. Eye testing
3. Eye testing - PLA (Gonioscopy)		 Breed club - Eye testing
Slovakian Rough Haired Pointer (Imp) None 1. Hip scoring
2. Bitches under 2 years not to produce a litter
Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier None 1. Hip scoring
2. Breed club - kidney function test
3. Eye testing
4. Bitches under 2 years not to be mated
Spaniel (American Cocker) 1. Eye testing
2. Eye testing - PLA (Gonioscopy)		 DNA test - prcd-PRA
Spaniel (Clumber) 1. Hip scoring
2. DNA test - EIC		 1. DNA test - PDP1
2. Eye testing
Spaniel (Cocker)* 1. Eye testing
2. DNA test - prcd-PRA
3. DNA test - FN
4. DNA test - AMS*
5. Eye testing - PLA (Gonioscopy)*
6. DNA test - AON		 1. Hip scoring
Spaniel (English Springer) 1. DNA test - PRA (cord 1)
2. Eye testing
3. EyetTesting - PLA (Gonioscopy)
4. DNA test - Fuco		 1. Hip scoring
2. DNA test - PFK
3. Bitches under 20 months not to produce a litter
4. Bitches not to produce more than one litter within a 12-month period
Spaniel (Field) Hip scoring 1. Eye testing
2. Bitches under 18 months not to produce a litter
3. Bitches not to produce more than one litter within a 12-month period
4. No stud dog to be used under 12 months of age
5. DNA of breeding stock to be held at The Kennel Club Genetics Centre (previously the Animal Health Trust)
Spaniel (Irish Water) 1. Hip scoring
2. Elbow grading		 Eye testing
Spaniel (Sussex) None Hip scoring
Spaniel (Welsh Springer)* 1. Hip scoring
2. Eye testing - PLA (Gonioscopy)
3. Eye testing*		 None
Spanish Water Dog* 1. Hip scoring
2. Eye testing - PLA (Gonioscopy)
3. DNA test - prcd-PRA
4. Eye testing*		 1. Bitches under 2 years not to produce a litter
2. Bitches not to produce more than one litter within a 12-month period
St Bernard Hip scoring Bitches under 2 years not to produce a litter
Staffordshire Bull Terrier 1. Eye testing
2. DNA test - HC-HSF4
3. DNA test - L2-HGA		 Litter eye screening for PHPV
Swedish Vallhund* 1. Hip scoring
2. Eye testing*		 DNA test - Retinopathy
Tibetan Mastiff Hip scoring Elbow grading
Tibetan Spaniel Eye testing Bitches not to produce more than one litter within a 12-month period
Tibetan Terrier 1. Eye testing
2. Hip scoring
3. DNA test - PLL
4. DNA test - NCL
5. DNA test - PRA (rcd4)
6. DNA test - PRA3		 None
Weimaraner Hip scoring 1. Bitches under 2 years not to produce a litter
2. Bitches not to produce more than one litter within a 12-month period
Welsh Corgi (Cardigan)* 1. DNA test - PRA (rcd3)
2. Eye testing*		 None
Welsh Terrier None DNA test - PLL
Whippet None Heart testing (ascultation)
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