Breeding suitability guide — Old English Sheepdog
For breeders: which tests, which thresholds, which mating rules apply
1. Mandatory tests for parents
These tests must be on file for every breeding animal.
| Test / condition | Scoring scheme | Approved from | Inheritance | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DNA-Identitätsnachweis | Blutprobe (DNA-Profil) | Kennzeichnung durch Mikrochip nach ISO Norm 11784 oder 11785,2 | — | VDH |
| Zahn- und Bissbewertung | Gebissbescheinigung | Keine erheblichen Zahnfehler oder Kieferanomalien | Unknown | VDH |
| Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD), NME5-related (PCD) | — | Clear/Carrier | Autosomal recessive | HD-Curated |
| Ocular anomalies | Physical examination | Clear | Complex | VDH |
| Exercise Induced Collapse (EIC) | DNA test | Clear/Carrier | Autosomal recessive | HD-Curated |
| Hip dysplasia (HD) | X-ray | B or better | Polygenic | VDH |
| Hypothyroidism | Body-fluid analysis | Normal | Complex | HD-Curated |
| Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) | DNA test | Clear/Carrier | Autosomal recessive | HD-Curated |
| Deafness | Hearing test | Bilateral hearing | Complex | VDH |
| Wesensbeurteilung | Verhaltenstest | Erfolgreiche Körung / angekört | — | VDH |
2. Mating rules
When one parent has a borderline result, the other parent must meet specific criteria.
We currently have no structured mating rules for this breed. Please consult your club's regulation.
3. Recommended additional tests
Sensible additions for line planning.
| Test / condition | Scoring scheme | Approved from | Inheritance | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cleft palate | Physical examination | CLEAR | Complex | Legacy |
| Immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA) (IMHA) | Body-fluid analysis | CLEAR | Complex | CIDD |
| Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) (PRA) | — | CARRIER | Autosomal recessive | CIDD |
| Cervical vertebral compressive myelopathy (CVCM) | X-ray | Normal | Complex | CIDD |
| Atrial septal defect (ASD) | — | NORMAL | Complex | CIDD |
| Tricuspid valve dysplasia (TVD) | Ultrasound | NORMAL | Complex | CIDD |
| Immune-mediated thrombocytopenia (IMT) | Body-fluid analysis | — | Complex | CIDD |
| Epilepsy (IE) | Physical examination | no epilepsy | Complex | Legacy |
| Cerebellar abiotrophy (CA) | DNA test | CARRIER | Autosomal recessive | CIDD |
4. HonestDog verification
- Upload a legible certificate (PDF or photo) per test in the breeder dashboard
- Certificate must show date, examining vet, and FCI/VDH logo
- Certificates older than 36 months are flagged as stale
- We AI-extract each upload and check it for consistency with the dog's profile — the profile tile then shows 'verified'