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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 Curly Coated Retriever we have compiled 3 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 Curly Coated Retriever receives a B grade because it has a solid, well-monitored health foundation typical for large retriever breeds. Important hereditary conditions such as hip dysplasia (HD), elbow dysplasia (ED), and the eye disease prcd-PRA are effectively tracked and minimized through mandatory health tests. When purchasing a puppy, buyers should consistently check the health screening results of the parents to keep the risk of these joint and eye issues as low as possible.
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 Curly Coated Retriever we track 3 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:
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.
Passing: CARRIER
Distichiasis
Augen und Sehvermögen
Distichiasis is an eye condition where extra eyelashes grow from the meibomian glands, which are the oil glands along the edge of the eyelid. These abnormal hairs point inward and rub directly against the cornea, the clear outer surface of the eye. This constant friction causes mechanical irritation and can damage the sensitive ocular surface.
Augen · Passing: CLEAR
Cataract(HC)
Augen und Sehvermögen
A cataract is a progressive clouding of the lens inside the dog's eye, which is the clear structure that focuses light onto the retina at the back of the eye. When the lens becomes cloudy or opaque, it blocks light from entering, gradually impairing the dog's vision. If left untreated, this condition can eventually lead to complete blindness in the affected eye.
Augen · Passing: CLEAR
Exercise Induced Collapse(EIC)
Bewegungsapparat
Exercise Induced Collapse (EIC) is an inherited disorder of the nervous system where the communication between the brain and the muscles temporarily breaks down during intense physical activity or high excitement. This neurological failure prevents the muscles from receiving the signals they need to function properly, causing a sudden loss of motor control. It is inherited in an autosomal-recessive manner, meaning a dog must inherit the mutated gene from both parents to be affected.
DNA · Passing: Clear or Carrier
Glycogen Storage Disease type IIIa (Curly Coated Retriever)(GSD IIIa)
Hormonelles und Stoffwechsel
Glycogen Storage Disease Type IIIa is an inherited metabolic disorder where the body lacks a key enzyme needed to break down glycogen, which is a stored form of sugar used for energy. Without this enzyme, glycogen builds up to harmful levels in the liver and muscle tissues. This accumulation progressively damages these organs and prevents them from functioning properly.
DNA · Passing: Clear or 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 — Ocular anomalies
Both parents must be Frei von PRA, postpolarem Katarakt (HC) und totaler RD 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.
3 tests are currently mandatory under the relevant breed-club regulations. The most common are Ocular anomalies, 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