Health testing is the foundation of responsible dog breeding. Before planning any litter, understanding your breed’s genetic risks and screening your dogs accordingly protects both the puppies you produce and the families who welcome them home. This short guide introduces why testing matters and the main types of screening to be aware of.
Why health testing matters
Every breed carries its own set of inherited conditions. Screening for issues such as hip and elbow health, eyes, heart, and breed-specific genetic markers helps you make informed pairing decisions and reduces the risk of passing preventable problems to the next generation. Over time, the results you collect also build a picture of your line’s strengths and weaknesses.
The main types of screening
Health testing broadly combines screening the dog itself (such as radiographs and specialist examinations), DNA tests that reveal carriers of specific inherited conditions, and the breed-specific panels recommended by your national breed club. A strong program draws on all three, and knowing how they fit together is the first step toward breeding with confidence.
Where to begin
Start by researching the tests recommended for your breed through your national breed club and recognised screening schemes, and plan them well ahead of any intended litter. Knowing which tests apply, when to do them, and how to interpret the results is where responsible breeding really takes shape — and there is a great deal more to explore beyond these fundamentals.