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Health Testing Guide
Which tests are mandatory, how to spot responsible breeders — and what it costs when things go wrong.
For the Borzoi we have compiled 1 mandatory and 5 recommended health tests, drawn from breed-club regulations, the University of PEI (CIDD), and OMIA — weighted by severity and heritability.
What this grade means
The Barsoi is generally considered a robust breed, with Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) being the primary hereditary condition currently in focus for breeding tests. However, as a very large, deep-chested breed, it carries anatomical risks such as a predisposition to GDV (bloat) and heart conditions like Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM). Prospective buyers should therefore look for a heart-healthy pedigree in addition to confirming the DM test results.
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. For the Borzoi we track 1 mandatory tests plus 5 additional recommended ones. 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 are not always predictive of severity in the puppies. Even so, they're a powerful tool used by every responsible breeder.
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 performs all mandatory tests plus 5 additional clinically recommended screenings that reduce risk in this breed.
In addition to mandatory tests:
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.
Roentgen
Microphthalmia
Augen
Microphthalmia is a congenital developmental disorder of the visual system where one or both of a dog's eyeballs are abnormally small. This structural defect occurs during embryonic development and is often accompanied by other eye abnormalities, such as cataracts, which are cloudy areas in the lens of the eye. Because the eyeball itself is underdeveloped, the surrounding eyelids may also appear droopy or misaligned.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)(PRA)
Augen
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) is an inherited eye disease that affects the retina, which is the light-sensitive layer of tissue at the back of the eye. In this condition, the specialized cells responsible for detecting light, known as photoreceptors, gradually degenerate and die. Because these cells cannot recover or be replaced, the disease slowly but inevitably leads to complete blindness.
Cervical vertebral compressive myelopathy(CVCM)
Bewegungsapparat
Cervical vertebral compressive myelopathy, commonly known as Wobbler syndrome, is a condition affecting the spine where the spinal cord in the neck becomes pinched. This compression is caused by malformed neck vertebrae or slipping discs between the bones. Over time, the constant pressure damages the nerve pathways that carry signals from the brain to the limbs.
Roentgen
Tricuspid valve dysplasia(TVD)
Herz und Kreislauf
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.
Ultraschall
These levels are a comparison framework, not an official certification. They help compare breeding programs at a glance.
A complete checklist with every mandatory and 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 — Degenerative Myelopathy
Both parents must be Clear or Carrier or better.
We compile mandatory tests from official breed regulations and veterinary databases — and check every uploaded certificate for authenticity.
L1 = mandatory under breed-club regulations. L2 = 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 AI-extracted and reviewed by our team for authenticity, date, and result.
1 tests are currently mandatory under the relevant breed-club regulations. The most common are Degenerative Myelopathy (DM). Every test must be completed before mating, and the result must fall within the threshold defined by the regulation.
See breeders who have already uploaded their mandatory tests for verification.
View verified breeders