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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 Hungarian Vizsla we have compiled 3 mandatory and 10 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 Magyar Vizsla is considered an athletic and robust breed, yet it is not free from hereditary risks. In particular, hip dysplasia (HD), the breed-specific Vizsla myositis (a severe muscle inflammation), and idiopathic epilepsy occur within the breed. Since comprehensive genetic tests are not yet available for some of these conditions, buyers should carefully scrutinize the mandatory health tests and breeding suitability assessments of the parent dogs.
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 Hungarian Vizsla we track 3 mandatory tests plus 10 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 10 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
Corneal dystrophy(CD)
Augen und Sehvermögen
Corneal dystrophy is an inherited eye disorder where abnormal, opaque materials like fats or calcium build up in the cornea, which is the clear outer layer of the eye. This accumulation typically affects both eyes and is non-inflammatory, meaning it does not cause immediate swelling or redness. Over time, these deposits can disrupt the smooth surface of the eye.
Augen · Passing: CLEAR
Elbow Dysplasia(ED)
Bewegungsapparat
Elbow dysplasia is a developmental disorder of the musculoskeletal system where the three bones forming the elbow joint do not fit together properly. This misalignment causes abnormal friction and wear on the joint cartilage, eventually leading to painful, chronic joint inflammation and arthritis. It is a complex genetic condition influenced by multiple genes.
Roentgen · Passing: Normal
Hip dysplasia(HD)
Bewegungsapparat
Hip dysplasia is an inherited skeletal disorder where the ball and socket of the hip joint do not fit together properly. Instead of sliding smoothly, the bones rub and grind against each other, wearing down the protective cartilage. Over time, this chronic friction causes joint instability, painful inflammation, and progressive arthritis, which is the gradual wear and tear of the joint.
Roentgen · Passing: B or better
Lupoid dermatosis(ECLE)
Haut und Fell
Lupoid dermatosis is an inherited autoimmune skin disease where a dog's immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys its own skin cells. This abnormal immune response targets the outer layers of the skin, leading to severe, chronic inflammation and tissue damage. Over time, this causes significant scaling, crusting, and hair loss across the body.
Haut · Passing: Clear or Carrier
Sebaceous Adenitis(SA)
Haut und Fell
Sebaceous adenitis is an inflammatory skin disorder where the dog's immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the sebaceous glands, which are the glands responsible for producing natural skin oils. Without these oils, the skin loses its protective moisture barrier, leading to severe dryness and damage to the hair follicles.
Passing: Normal
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
Hypothyroidism
Hormonelles und Stoffwechsel
Hypothyroidism is an endocrine disorder where the thyroid gland, located in the neck, fails to produce enough thyroid hormones. These hormones are essential for regulating the body's metabolic rate, which is the speed at which cells convert nutrients into energy. When hormone levels are too low, the dog's entire metabolism slows down, affecting multiple organ systems.
Koerperfluessigkeiten · Passing: Normal
Cerebellar abiotrophy, VMP1-related(CA)
Nervensystem
This is an inherited neurological disorder where cells in the cerebellum, the part of the brain that coordinates movement, prematurely degenerate. Because the brain tissue cannot repair itself, this leads to a progressive loss of motor control. This specific form of the disease is caused by a genetic variant in the VMP1 gene.
Passing: Clear or Carrier
Hyperuricosuria(HUU)
Nieren
Hyperuricosuria is an inherited metabolic disorder affecting the renal system, specifically how the kidneys process uric acid. Due to a genetic mutation, excess uric acid is excreted into the urine rather than being broken down. This high concentration can cause the acid to crystallize, leading to the formation of painful bladder or kidney stones, also known as uroliths.
Koerperfluessigkeiten · 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 erblichen Augenerkrankungen 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, Eye conditions (ophthalmological eye exam) (ECVO), Wesensbeurteilung. 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