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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 English Setter we have compiled 9 mandatory and 7 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 English Setter is considered a robust and moderately healthy breed, as known risks are well-managed through mandatory health tests. Key areas of concern include hip dysplasia (HD) and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA-rcd4), which can lead to vision loss. Additionally, testing for congenital deafness is important to identify affected dogs before purchase.
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 English Setter we track 9 mandatory tests plus 7 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 7 additional clinically recommended screenings that reduce risk in this breed.
In addition to mandatory tests:
Ectropion / Entropion
Augen
These are structural eyelid abnormalities affecting a dog's eyes. In cases of entropion, the eyelid rolls inward, causing the eyelashes or fur to rub painfully against the surface of the eyeball. In ectropion, the eyelid sags or rolls outward, leaving the sensitive inner lining of the eye exposed and unprotected.
Passing: CLEAR
Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) - "dry eye"(KCS)
Augen
Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS), commonly known as dry eye, is a chronic disease of the ocular system where the tear glands fail to produce enough natural tears. Without this protective moisture, the cornea (the clear surface of the eye) and surrounding tissues become dry, inflamed, and highly susceptible to painful damage.
Augen · Passing: CLEAR
Atopy(CAD)
Haut und Fell
Atopy is a chronic allergic skin disease where a dog's immune system overreacts to common environmental substances like pollen, mold spores, and dust mites. This inappropriate immune response damages the natural protective barrier of the skin, leading to persistent inflammation and irritation. It primarily affects the skin, which is the body's largest organ system.
Haut
Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (Cutaneous asthenia)(EDS)
Haut und Fell
Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, also known as cutaneous asthenia, is an inherited connective tissue disorder that affects the skin and joints. It is caused by a genetic defect in collagen, which is the primary structural protein that provides strength and elasticity to tissues. Because of this defect, the skin lacks its normal structural integrity, making it unusually fragile, thin, and loose.
Haut · Passing: CLEAR
Hemophilia
Herz und Kreislauf
Hemophilia is an inherited blood clotting disorder affecting the circulatory system, where the body lacks specific proteins needed for coagulation, which is the process of blood clotting. Because the blood cannot clot properly, even minor injuries can lead to prolonged internal or external bleeding. This condition is inherited through an X-linked genetic trait, meaning it primarily affects male dogs.
Koerperfluessigkeiten · Passing: CLEAR
Congenital deafness(CHSD)
Nervensystem
Congenital deafness is a hereditary hearing loss present from birth that affects the inner ear's sensory cells, preventing sound signals from reaching the brain. It is often linked to specific genetic variants, such as those associated with certain coat patterns like merle or piebald, or breed-specific conditions like Early Onset Adult Deafness (EOAD). This genetic defect causes the vital blood supply to the inner ear to fail, leading to the permanent degeneration of the hearing nerve cells.
Physisch · Passing: BILATERAL_HEARING
Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis(NCL)
Nervensystem
Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis (NCL) is an inherited metabolic disorder that affects the nervous system. It occurs when nerve cells in the brain and eyes are unable to properly recycle cellular waste, leading to a harmful buildup of these materials that permanently damages the tissues.
DNA · 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 — Progressive Retinal Atrophy, rod-cone dysplasia 4
Both parents must be Clear/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.
9 tests are currently mandatory under the relevant breed-club regulations. The most common are DNA-Identitätsnachweis, Zahn- und Bissbewertung, Progressive Retinal Atrophy, rod-cone dysplasia 4 (PRA-rcd4). 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