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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 Broholmer we have compiled 4 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
As a heavy, large breed, the Broholmer primarily struggles with joint conditions such as hip dysplasia (HD) and elbow dysplasia (ED), which must be monitored through mandatory health tests. Additionally, breed-specific anatomical weaknesses like jaw abnormalities are a focus. Buyers should pay extremely close attention to the official X-ray results of the parent dogs to avoid painful joint problems in their puppy.
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 Broholmer we track 4 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:
Dental abnormalities
Andere
Dental abnormalities refer to congenital or acquired malformations of the teeth and jaw structure, affecting the skeletal and digestive systems of the mouth. This includes malocclusions, which are misalignments where the upper and lower teeth do not meet properly, as well as missing or extra teeth. These structural issues can interfere with normal chewing and cause teeth to rub painfully against the sensitive tissues of the mouth.
Passing: No substantial dental defects
Tail abnormalities
Bewegungsapparat
Tail abnormalities (Rutenanomalien) are congenital malformations affecting the skeletal system, specifically the tail bones (caudal vertebrae). They occur during embryonic development in the womb when the individual vertebrae do not form properly, leading to fused, misshapen, or shortened bones. This is a structural issue of the spine's tail section and is typically inherited in a complex manner.
Passing: No anomalies
Cryptorchidism
Fortpflanzung
Cryptorchidism is a developmental condition of the male reproductive system where one or both testicles fail to descend normally into the scrotum. Instead, the undescended testicle remains trapped inside the abdomen or in the groin area. This failure to descend is a physical development issue rather than an active illness, but it alters how the reproductive organs develop.
Physisch · Passing: Normal
Dilated cardiomyopathy(DCM)
Herz und Kreislauf
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a severe disease of the heart muscle where the heart's chambers become stretched and enlarged. This stretching thins the heart walls, making it difficult for the heart to pump blood effectively to the rest of the body. Over time, this decreased pumping ability can lead to fluid buildup in the lungs or abdomen.
Ultraschall · Passing: Normal
Ear anomalies
Ohren und Gehör
Ear anomalies are congenital malformations affecting the structure of a dog's outer ear, ear canal, or inner ear. These developmental defects can block normal airflow or disrupt the transmission of sound, potentially causing chronic infections or hearing loss. To assess the extent of the inner ear's function, veterinarians often use a specialized hearing test known as a Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response (BAER) test.
Hoeren · Passing: Normal
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 — Elbow Dysplasia
Both parents must be Grade 1 or better 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.
4 tests are currently mandatory under the relevant breed-club regulations. The most common are DNA-Identitätsnachweis, Elbow Dysplasia (ED), Hip dysplasia (HD). 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