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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 Belgian Malinois we have compiled 8 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 Malinois is an extremely capable working dog, but it carries some serious genetic risks. Neurological conditions such as Spongy Degeneration (SDCA1/2) and the fatal Juvenile Cardiomyopathy (CJM) must be ruled out through mandatory genetic testing. Combined with known joint issues like Hip Dysplasia (HD), this makes purchasing a puppy without comprehensive health records for both parents irresponsible.
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 Belgian Malinois we track 8 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:
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.
Retinal Dysplasia(RD)
Augen
Retinal dysplasia is a congenital condition affecting the eyes, where the retina (the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye) does not develop properly during growth in the womb. This abnormal development leads to structural defects like folds or gaps in the retinal layers. Because the retina is responsible for sending visual signals to the brain, these imperfections can impair normal vision.
Augen
Juvenile Cardiomyopathy and Mortality (Belgian Malinois)(CJM)
Herz und Kreislauf
Juvenile Cardiomyopathy and Mortality (CJM) is an inherited heart muscle disease caused by a genetic mutation in the YARS2 gene that affects Belgian Shepherd puppies. This condition disrupts the normal structure and function of the heart muscle, preventing it from pumping blood effectively to the rest of the body. Because it is an autosomal recessive disorder, a puppy must inherit the mutated gene from both parents to be affected.
DNA · Passing: Clear or Carrier
Ataxia, CNS atrophy with cerebellar ataxia (Belgian Malinois)(CaCa)
Nervensystem
This is a severe, inherited neurological disorder that causes the progressive breakdown of nerve cells in the brain's coordination center, known as the cerebellum. As these cells degenerate, the dog loses the ability to control and coordinate its voluntary movements. It is an autosomal recessive condition, meaning a puppy must inherit the mutated gene from both parents to develop the disease.
DNA · Passing: CARRIER
Cerebellar Ataxia(CA1)
Nervensystem
Cerebellar Ataxia is an inherited neurological disorder that affects the cerebellum, which is the part of the brain responsible for coordinating movement and balance. Due to an autosomal-recessive genetic mutation, nerve cells in this brain region progressively degenerate. This gradual loss of cells prevents the brain from properly controlling the body's movements.
DNA · Passing: Clear or Carrier
Spongy Degeneration with Cerebellar Ataxia 1 (Belgian Malinois)(SDCA1)
Nervensystem
Spongiöse Degeneration mit zerebellarer Ataxie 1 (SDCA1) is an inherited neurological disease that causes the brain tissue, particularly in the cerebellum, to break down and develop a spongy appearance. The cerebellum is the area of the brain responsible for coordinating voluntary movements and balance. As this tissue degenerates, the dog's nervous system loses the ability to properly control body movements.
DNA · Passing: Clear or Carrier
Spongy Degeneration with Cerebellar Ataxia 2 (Belgian Malinois)(SDCA2)
Nervensystem
Spongiform Degeneration with Cerebellar Ataxia Type 2 (SDCA2) is an inherited neurological disease affecting the brain, specifically the cerebellum, which controls movement and balance. In affected dogs, the brain tissue develops microscopic, sponge-like holes, disrupting the normal transmission of nerve signals. This leads to a severe loss of motor coordination and control.
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 — Elbow Dysplasia
Both parents must be 0 or Borderline 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.
8 tests are currently mandatory under the relevant breed-club regulations. The most common are DNA-Identitätsnachweis, Ocular anomalies, Elbow Dysplasia (ED). 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