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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 Norwegian Elkhound we have compiled 1 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 Norwegian Elkhound is a robust Nordic breed that is generally very healthy compared to other dogs. Nevertheless, there are some vulnerabilities, such as hip dysplasia (HD) and eye conditions like progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) or glaucoma. Since there are often no strict mandatory health tests for this breed, buyers must actively request the health screening results of the parent dogs from the breeder.
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 Norwegian Elkhound we track 1 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.
Passing: CARRIER
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 · Passing: CLEAR
Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma(POAG)
Augen und Sehvermögen
Primary open-angle glaucoma is an inherited eye disease where the natural fluid inside the eye cannot drain properly. This fluid buildup causes a gradual increase in pressure within the eyeball, which eventually damages the optic nerve, the connection between the eye and the brain. Without management, this pressure leads to permanent blindness.
Augen · Passing: CLEAR
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
Chondrodysplasia, SLC13A1-related
Bewegungsapparat
This is an inherited form of dwarfism affecting the skeletal system, specifically bone and cartilage development. It is caused by a genetic mutation that leads to a deficiency in sulfate, a compound crucial for healthy bone growth. Without enough sulfate, the dog's skeleton cannot develop to its normal size and structure.
Passing: CARRIER
Familial Nephropathy(JEB)
Nieren und Harnwege
Familial Nephropathy (FN) is an inherited kidney disease caused by a genetic defect in collagen, which is a vital structural protein. This defect damages the kidneys' filtering units, preventing them from properly removing waste products from the blood. Over time, this leads to progressive and irreversible kidney failure.
Koerperfluessigkeiten · Passing: CLEAR
Fanconi syndrome(FS)
Nieren und Harnwege
Fanconi syndrome is an inherited kidney disorder affecting the renal tubules, which are the tiny filtering tubes within the kidneys. Instead of reabsorbing vital nutrients like glucose, amino acids, and electrolytes back into the bloodstream, these damaged tubules allow them to be lost in the urine. This leads to a severe depletion of essential compounds that the dog's body needs to function properly.
Koerperfluessigkeiten · Passing: 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 — Hip dysplasia
Both parents must be B or better 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.
1 tests are currently mandatory under the relevant breed-club regulations. The most common are 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