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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 Wolfspitz we have compiled 6 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 Wolfsspitz is considered a very robust and primitive breed with a refreshingly low genetic burden. Hip dysplasia (HD) is the only major concern and is well-regulated through strict breeding requirements, while the formerly critical primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) has been almost completely eradicated thanks to consistent genetic testing. Prospective buyers should still insist on seeing the official HD evaluations of the parent dogs to avoid any unpleasant surprises regarding the musculoskeletal system.
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 Wolfspitz we track 6 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: Clear or Carrier
Growth hormone-responsive dermatosis; adrenal sex hormone-responsive dermatosis
Haut und Fell
This is a hormonal skin condition affecting the endocrine system, where an imbalance in adrenal sex hormones or a lack of growth hormone leads to symmetrical hair loss. The skin's hair follicles stop producing new hair, causing them to enter a permanent resting phase. While the skin and coat are affected, the dog's internal organs and overall physical health typically remain completely normal.
Koerperfluessigkeiten
Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA)(PDA)
Herz
Patent ductus arteriosus is a congenital heart defect where a normal fetal blood vessel connecting the aorta and the pulmonary artery fails to close shortly after birth. This failure allows blood to continuously recirculate through the lungs instead of flowing to the rest of the body, putting severe, permanent strain on the heart muscle. Over time, this volume overload causes the left side of the heart to enlarge and weaken.
Ultraschall · Passing: NORMAL
Ventricular septal defect(VSD)
Herz
A ventricular septal defect (VSD) is a congenital heart defect where a hole exists in the wall, or septum, that separates the left and right lower chambers of the heart. This opening allows blood to flow abnormally between these chambers, forcing the heart and lungs to work much harder than normal. Over time, this abnormal circulation can lead to fluid accumulation in the lungs and heart failure.
Passing: NORMAL
Tetralogy of Fallot(ToF)
Herz und Kreislauf
Tetralogy of Fallot is a severe congenital heart defect involving four specific structural malformations of the heart and its major blood vessels. These defects allow oxygen-poor blood to mix with oxygen-rich blood instead of being properly pumped to the lungs. As a result, the dog's body suffers from a chronic lack of oxygen.
Ultraschall · Passing: NORMAL
Diabetes mellitus(DM)
Hormonelles und Stoffwechsel
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder affecting the endocrine system, specifically the pancreas, which fails to produce enough insulin. Insulin is a vital hormone that allows the body's cells to absorb glucose, or sugar, from the bloodstream to use as energy. Without sufficient insulin, sugar builds up in the blood while the body's cells are starved of fuel.
Koerperfluessigkeiten · Passing: CARRIER
Epilepsy(IE)
Nervensystem
Epilepsy is a chronic disorder of the brain and nervous system where abnormal electrical activity causes sudden, temporary disruptions in normal brain function. These disruptions lead to repeated seizures, which are involuntary changes in body movement, sensation, or behavior. Because the underlying cause is often complex, the brain's electrical signaling remains permanently prone to these sudden misfires.
Physisch
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 FCI A or B 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.
6 tests are currently mandatory under the relevant breed-club regulations. The most common are DNA-Identitätsnachweis, Progressive rod-cone degeneration (PRCD-PRA) (PRA-prcd), 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