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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 Irish Water Spaniel we have compiled 3 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 Irish Water Spaniel exhibits a health profile that is typical and average for its size. Key risks such as hip dysplasia (HD) and hereditary eye conditions are well-managed through mandatory health tests within the breeding program. Prospective buyers should consistently request the test results of the parent dogs to prevent future joint or vision issues.
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 Irish Water Spaniel we track 3 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:
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
Color Dilution Alopecia (CDA)(CDA)
Haut und Fell
Color Dilution Alopecia is a genetic skin disorder that affects dogs with diluted coat colors, such as blue, fawn, or lilac. It is caused by an abnormal distribution of pigment within the hair shafts, which makes the hair brittle and prone to breaking. This structural weakness leads to progressive hair loss and leaves the skin more vulnerable to irritation.
Haut · Passing: CARRIER
Heart disease
Herz
Heart disease refers to structural or functional abnormalities of the heart muscle, valves, or electrical system that impair its ability to pump blood effectively. This reduced pumping efficiency prevents the cardiovascular system from delivering adequate oxygen and nutrients to the body's tissues. Some forms are congenital, meaning present from birth, while others are acquired over time due to wear or genetic factors.
Physisch · Passing: Normal / Befundfrei
Primary hypothyroidism
Stoffwechsel
Primary hypothyroidism is an endocrine disorder where the thyroid gland, located in the neck, fails to produce enough thyroid hormones. This hormone deficiency is usually caused by the immune system mistakenly attacking the gland or by the gradual replacement of thyroid tissue with fat. Because these hormones regulate how the body uses energy, a shortage slows down the dog's entire metabolism.
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 — Ocular anomalies
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.
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