Health Testing Explained: What Responsible Breeders Should Be Doing
Ethical breeding starts long before a litter is planned. Responsible breeders invest in comprehensive health testing to reduce preventable disease, protect long-term wellbeing and make informed pairing decisions. Health testing is not about marketing, it’s about managing genetic risk, improving breed integrity and giving puppies the best possible start.
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Across Australia, health testing expectations vary by breed and by breeder. Understanding what testing actually means and what to ask for is essential an essential part of the buyers journey.
Types of Canine testing available to breeders in Australia
Eliza Gibson - Cloud Nine Cavoodles and Bernedoodles Brisbane
“Responsible breeding isn’t just about temperament and appearance... it’s about data. Genetic testing, cardiac and eye screening, and reproductive assessments help us build healthier generations over time. It’s not about ticking boxes; it’s about long-term integrity.”
Eve Geale - Bernedoodles TAS Tasmania
“We don’t health test because regulations tell us to. We health test because long-term soundness matters. Understanding genetic compatibility and structural integrity helps protect the future of the breed and the wellbeing of every puppy we produce.”
​“Health testing isn’t a marketing tool it’s a responsibility. DNA screening, hip and elbow scoring and appropriate structural assessments allow us to make informed breeding decisions, not hopeful ones. Ethical breeding means reducing preventable risk wherever possible and being transparent with families about what those results mean.”
Health Testing Varies by Breed and Program
Health screening is not a one-size-fits-all checklist. The appropriate tests depend on breed background, size, known hereditary conditions and the goals of the breeding program.
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Responsible breeding involves understanding available screening tools, assessing genetic probability and making informed decisions, not simply ticking every possible test.
How to interpret health results
Health testing results are only meaningful when they are understood in context. Terms such as “clear”, “carrier” and “affected” can sound alarming without explanation. A responsible breeder should be able to explain how results influence pairing decisions and what level of risk remains.
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For example, a carrier dog is not unhealthy. When paired responsibly with a clear dog, affected puppies will not be produced. Ethical breeding involves using data thoughtfully - not eliminating dogs unnecessarily from the gene pool.
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Structural scores also require context. A single hip score does not define a dog’s quality. Breed averages, overall conformation and veterinary interpretation all play a role.
This positions you as balanced and informed.
Health testing reduces risk, it does not eliminate it entirely.
Some conditions are multifactorial, meaning they are influenced by both genetics and environment.
Nutrition, growth rate, exercise and general care also contribute to long-term outcomes.
Breeders who promise “perfect health” are not being realistic.
Responsible programs aim to reduce preventable risk while remaining transparent about limitations.
