SearchEssential Health Tests for Breeding Dobermans
I'm working on the breeder directory listing system and I thought I should get a consensus on what the essential and productive health tests are for breeding Dobermans. I'll keep this list updated as we go along.
Von Willebrand disease
Hypothyroidism
Hip Dysplasia
The tests that should be performed are the echocardiogram, 24 hour holter monitor, hips, eyes cerfed, thyroid panel (not the one that your vet runs through a local lab) the one your vet takes a sample and sends into approved facilities such as MSU, vWD. There is actually a program called CHIC that lists different recommended health testing for certain breeds and when a person has obtained all the recommended tests they receive what is called a CHIC# You will be very surprised at how very little breeders or individual dog owners perform all the testing. It is also fair to warn that just because you obtain a chic# does not mean the dog passed all tests. Individual puppy buyers need to be aware of this and ask for documentation. One way a breeder can document this is by having all the testing certified through the OFA they provide the results and an OFA #.
CERF
Bloodwork to test liver values
Echocardiogram AND holter monitor - a series of these should be done prior to breeding.