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 Brazilian Terrier we have compiled 7 mandatory and 4 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 Brazilian Terrier requires an above-average number of mandatory health tests, which points to an increased genetic risk. The eyes are particularly vulnerable to conditions such as Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) and lens luxation, which can lead to blindness in the worst-case scenario. Additionally, screening for patellar luxation is essential to rule out chronic joint problems in puppies.
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 Brazilian Terrier we track 7 mandatory tests plus 4 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 4 additional clinically recommended screenings that reduce risk in this breed.
In addition to mandatory tests:
Apple head
Allgemeine Fitness und Anatomie
Apfelkopf, or apple head, describes an extremely rounded, dome-like skull shape with a very pronounced forehead angle, or stop. This skeletal variation affects the structure of the head and can predispose dogs to open fontanelles, which are soft spots where the skull bones fail to close fully. In some cases, this shape can also restrict fluid flow in the brain, leading to a buildup of fluid known as hydrocephalus.
Physisch · Passing: {"resultNotOk": "Disease present"}
Malignant Hyperthermia(MH)
Stoffwechsel
Malignant hyperthermia, also known as Narkoseüberempfindlichkeit, is an inherited skeletal muscle disorder caused by a genetic mutation in the RYR1 gene. This mutation disrupts how calcium is regulated within the muscle cells, causing them to contract uncontrollably when triggered. These intense spasms generate a rapid, life-threatening rise in body temperature, typically brought on by specific anesthetic gases or extreme physical stress.
DNA · Passing: Clear
Cranioschisis
Zähne und Knochen
Lückenschädel is a congenital developmental defect affecting the skeletal system, specifically the skull. It occurs when the bones of the cranial vault fail to harden or ossify completely, leaving thin spots, depressions, or actual gaps in the bone structure. This defect is often associated with increased pressure within the skull and other brain abnormalities.
Roentgen · Passing: A
Mucopolysaccharidosis Type VII(MPS VII)
Mucopolysaccharidosis Type VII (MPS VII) is an inherited metabolic disorder belonging to a group called lysosomal storage diseases. It occurs when a deficiency in a specific enzyme prevents the body from breaking down complex sugar molecules, leading to a harmful buildup of waste products inside cells. This accumulation causes progressive damage to multiple organ systems, particularly the skeleton and connective tissues.
Passing: Clear/Carrier
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 — Ectropion / Entropion
Both parents must be CLEAR 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.
7 tests are currently mandatory under the relevant breed-club regulations. The most common are Ectropion / Entropion, Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) (PRA), Retinal Dysplasia (RD). 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