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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 Spanish Galgo we have compiled 0 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 Galgo Español is considered a very robust and healthy breed with a high life expectancy, which is why it receives an A grade. Nevertheless, buyers should be aware of breed-specific risks such as osteosarcoma (bone cancer) and a pronounced sensitivity to anesthesia. Additionally, extreme overexertion can lead to the dangerous 'Greyhound cramp' (rhabdomyolysis), making responsible training essential.
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 Spanish Galgo we track 0 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:
Delayed postoperative hemorrhage(DEPOH)
Andere
Delayed postoperative hemorrhage (DEPOH) is an inherited blood clotting disorder affecting the circulatory system. In affected dogs, the normal blood clots that form to seal surgical wounds break down prematurely. This leads to unexpected bleeding hours or days after a surgical procedure has completed.
Koerperfluessigkeiten · Passing: Clear
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 (Echocardiography and Holter)
Hyperekplexia, GLRA1-related(SD)
Nervensystem
Hyperekplexia, also known as startle disease, is a severe hereditary neurological disorder affecting the nervous system. It is caused by a genetic mutation in the GLRA1 gene, which disrupts glycine receptors that normally help calm nerve activity. Without these functioning receptors, the dog's nervous system becomes unsafely overexcited by sensory inputs. This specific genetic variant is found in Miniature Australian Shepherds and Miniature American Shepherds.
Passing: Clear or Carrier
Polyneuropathy, NDRG1-related(AMPN)
Nervensystem
This is an inherited disorder of the peripheral nervous system where the protective outer coating of the nerves, known as the myelin sheath, gradually breaks down. Without this protective layer, the electrical signals traveling between the brain and the muscles are disrupted. This leads to a progressive loss of muscle control and coordination throughout the dog's body.
Passing: Clear or Carrier
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
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 — Hip dysplasia (HD-FCI)
Both parents must be tested for Hip dysplasia (HD-FCI) and show a passing result.
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.
0 tests are currently mandatory under the relevant breed-club regulations. The most common are —. 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