Why a Pre-Breeding Health Check is Crucial for Your Dog’s Future

Thinking about breeding dogs for the first time can feel exciting and a little scary at the same time.

You love your dog, you dream of cute puppies, and you want to do it the right way.

That is where a general health check comes in.

A pre-breeding health screening is a complete check-up done by a vet. It usually includes a physical exam, vaccine review, parasite screening, and basic lab tests.

For breeding, that check-up is the starting line for a safe pregnancy and healthy puppies.

In 2025, vets, the American Kennel Club (AKC), and the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) all strongly advise a full health check and breed-specific testing before any planned litter.

Programs like the AKC health testing requirements and OFA’s CHIC system are built around that idea.

Last update on 2025-12-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

So, is a pre-breeding health check essential, or just a nice extra?

The short answer is yes, it is necessary.

The rest of this guide breaks it down in simple, honest language so you can feel confident in your next steps with dog breeding.

Why a Pre-Breeding Health Screening Is Essential Before Breeding a Dog

If you plan to breed your dog, you should always schedule a pre-breeding health screening first. Pregnancy is hard work for a dog’s body.

Only a healthy dog should carry and raise a litter.

In a typical pre-breeding exam, the vet will:

• Listen to the heart and lungs
• Check eyes, ears, teeth, and skin
• Weigh your dog and score its body condition
• Review vaccines and parasite prevention
• Often run basic blood work, and sometimes a urine test

This is not just a quick look. It is a full “head-to-tail” review of how your dog is really doing.

For breeding, that check-up helps protect the mother, the puppies, and the breed’s long-term health.

You can also check your breed’s recommended tests on the AKC breed health testing requirements page. This gives you a clear picture of what responsible breeders do before any mating.

How a Vet Exam Protects Your Dog and Future Puppies

Even if your dog looks fine at home, a vet may spot early warning signs you would never notice.

That might include:

• A soft heart murmur
• Dental disease that could make eating painful
• Irregular breathing or exercise intolerance
• Abnormal liver or kidney values on blood tests

Catching these problems early can improve your breeding plans and reduce the risk of disease.

Your vet might recommend treating an issue first, waiting for a later heat cycle, or not breeding at all if the risk is high.

Taking that step can:

• Lower the chance of a risky pregnancy or emergency C-section
• Reduce the chance of weak, underweight, or sick puppies
• Save you from heartbreak and huge emergency vet bills

Modern tools can help here, too. Devices like the PetPace monitoring collar let breeders track vital signs and health trends around the clock.

Breeders can see early changes in breathing, heart rate, and activity, and receive alerts if anything looks off. That level of insight helps support healthier pregnancies and litters.

Last update on 2025-12-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

What Happens During a Pre-Breeding General Health Check

If you have never done this before, it helps to picture what will happen.

A typical pre-breeding exam often includes:

1. Full physical examination
Your vet will check:

• Eyes for cloudiness, redness, or signs of inherited disease
• Ears for infection or chronic problems
• Teeth and gums for tartar, broken teeth, or gum disease
• Skin and coat for allergies, parasites, or infections
• Heart and lungs with a stethoscope
• Joints and muscles for pain, stiffness, or limping

2. Body condition and weight check
A dog that is too thin or overweight can struggle during pregnancy and nursing. Your vet will help you aim for a healthy body condition score and may suggest diet changes before breeding.

3. Vaccinations and parasite control
Your vet will review:

• Core vaccinations and timing
• Protection against fleas, ticks, and worms

Pregnant dogs with heavy parasite loads or outdated vaccines are at higher risk, and so are their puppies.

4. Basic lab tests
Many vets will run:

• Blood work to check organ function, blood sugar, and infection
• Sometimes, a urine test to look at kidney and urinary health
• Brucellosis testing and screening for Canine herpes virus, often done to protect the litter

In some breeding programs, more advanced testing is used.

For example, PetPace’s breeder-focused system tracks vital signs and can alert to early complications, so problems are treated faster.

5. Talk about history and breeding plans
Your vet will ask about:

• Past illnesses, surgeries, or injuries
• Heat cycles and any breeding history
• Behavior, exercise level, and diet
• Your goals for dog breeding

This is your chance to ask questions and build a clear plan together.

Key Health Tests to Do Before Dog Breeding (Beyond a Basic Check-Up)

A general health check is the first step, but it is not enough on its own.

Responsible dog breeding in 2025 also includes targeted health tests that match your dog’s breed.

AKC parent clubs and OFA work together to set health testing lists for specific dog breeds. These are published through the Canine Health Information Center (CHIC).

You can read more about how health testing supports better breeding decisions in this AKC article on health testing for a stronger breed.

These tests reduce the risk of passing severe inherited conditions to puppies, even when parents appear healthy.

Genetic and DNA Tests That Prevent Inherited Diseases

Genetic testing has changed how smart breeders plan litters. A DNA test is usually a cheek swab or a small blood sample sent to a lab.

The lab looks for specific gene changes linked to hereditary conditions.

These tests can:

• Show if your dog is clear, a carrier, or affected by inherited conditions
• Reveal risks for problems like certain eye diseases, bleeding disorders, or spinal issues
• Confirm parentage and pedigree information

Examples of genetic disorders often checked by DNA testing include:

• Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), which can lead to blindness
• Degenerative Myelopathy (DM), which affects the spinal cord
• Exercise-Induced Collapse (EIC) in some sporting breeds
• Other breed-linked metabolic or blood disorders

In 2025, many breed clubs expect or even require DNA testing before breeding.

The goal is simple.

Avoid producing puppies that will suffer from pain, weakness, or short lives when those risks are known and testable.

Screenings for Hips, Heart, Eyes, and Thyroid

Some of the most critical health screenings are not DNA-based.

They look at how the body is working right now and whether problems are likely to be inherited.

Common screening areas include:

• Hips and elbows
  Phenotypic tests using X-rays check for hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia, which can cause pain and arthritis. Results are usually sent to OFA or PennHIP for grading.
• Heart
  A vet listens for murmurs and may send you to a veterinary cardiologist for an echo—this checks for hidden heart disease, structural issues, or rhythm problems.
• Eyes
  A veterinary ophthalmologist performs comprehensive eye examinations for cataracts, retinal disease, and other inherited eye issues. Results are often reported to OFA.
• Thyroid
  Blood tests can show low thyroid function, which may be linked to autoimmune disease and can affect fertility and energy.

Many of these diseases do not show clear signs in young dogs. That is why testing before breeding is so necessary.

Healthy joints, a strong heart, clear eyes, and stable hormones all make pregnancy and life as a breeding dog safer and more comfortable.

Last update on 2025-12-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Following AKC and OFA (CHIC) Guidelines for Your Dog’s Breed

To know exactly which tests your dog needs, you do not have to guess.

The OFA CHIC program works with each AKC parent club to set test lists for every breed.

You can see how this system works on the OFA CHIC program page.

Some parent clubs, like the Australian Cattle Dog Club of America, publish clear lists of CHIC requirements for their breed, as shown on sites like the ACDCA CHIC requirements page.

In simple terms:

• The AKC parent club for your breed decides which tests matter most
• OFA and CHIC manage screening schemes to collect and publish results
• Dogs that complete the recommended tests can earn a CHIC number

Flat-faced (brachycephalic) breeds often require additional checks for breathing and airway issues.

Many clubs now take those issues very seriously because of growing health worries in those breeds.

What Could Happen If You Skip a Health Check Before Breeding

Skipping a full health check and breed-specific tests might feel easier in the moment. You save some money and time up front.

But the risks are real and can last for years.

Breeding dogs that are not healthy, or that carry severe inherited disease, can harm the mother, the puppies, and the future of the breed.

Health Risks for the Mother and Puppies

If the sire and dam are sick, overweight, underweight, or hiding a heart or organ problem, the mother may struggle during pregnancy or birth.

Possible issues include:

• Hard labor and difficult deliveries
• Emergency C-sections
• Low milk supply or trouble nursing
• Loss of puppies before or after birth

For puppies, inherited disease can mean:

• Lifelong joint pain and trouble walking
• Early blindness from eye disease
• Weakness, collapse, or strange gait
• Frequent vet visits and repeated surgeries

Some breeders use tools like PetPace during pregnancy to monitor vital signs and detect early signs of trouble.

PetPace’s breeder-focused program uses an AI-based system to follow pregnancy progress and can even alert breeders when labor is near.

That kind of monitoring is helpful, but it works best when paired with solid health testing from the start.

Emotional, Financial, and Ethical Costs of Unhealthy Litters

Caring for sick puppies is emotionally heavy. You might spend weeks bottle-feeding, rushing to vet visits, and worrying through the night.

If a puppy does not survive, the sadness can be profound for both you and the buyers.

There are also financial costs. Emergency surgeries, extended hospital stays, and treatment for chronic illness add up fast.

These costs often far exceed what a careful pre-breeding health plan would have been.

On top of that, your reputation as a breeder is on the line. But the biggest issue is ethical.

Responsible dog breeding should always aim to improve health, not just produce puppies to sell.

Health checks show that you care about more than looks or color. You care about comfort, longevity, and quality of life.

How to Prepare for a Pre-Breeding Health Check and Plan Your Dog Breeding Responsibly

Good planning can turn a stressful first breeding into a thoughtful, well-managed project.

A clear plan also helps your vet give better advice and helps your future puppy buyers trust you.

Before your appointment, gather your dog’s complete medical records, vaccine and parasite treatment history, any past test results or X-rays, and notes on heat cycles, behavior, and exercise.

These records are crucial for selecting a suitable mate by providing insights into genetic and orthopedic health to guide responsible pairing.

Many breeders also use the AKC Canine Health Foundation and OFA information on orthopedic and genetic health to plan their testing schedule.

Questions to Ask Your Vet About Pre-Breeding Exams and Testing

Go to the appointment with a short written list of questions.

This helps you stay calm and remember what matters most.

Good questions include:

• Does a physical examination indicate that my dog is in good physical condition for pregnancy right now?
• Which health tests are recommended for this exact breed?
• Which tests should we send to OFA or CHIC for records?
• When is the best time in the heat cycle to breed?
• Do you suggest any diet changes or supplements first?
• How much rest and what kind of exercise should my dog have?
• What signs during pregnancy or labor mean I should call you right away?

You can also ask about tools like PetPace or other monitoring options during pregnancy. Some vets and breeders like using continuous tracking to get alerts if something starts to go wrong.

Planning the Right Age, Timing, and Budget for Health Testing

Healthy dog breeding is not a one-time event. It is a long-term plan.

A few simple rules help:

• Do not breed on the first heat. Many vets prefer waiting until at least the second or third heat and full physical maturity.
• Avoid breeding too often. The body needs time to recover between litters.
• Remember that some health tests are one-time, but others, like eye exams, may need to be repeated over the years.

When you budget, think beyond the first check-up.

Factor in:

• General health exam and follow-up visits
• All breed-specific tests (DNA, hips, heart, eyes, thyroid, and more)
• Pregnancy care and any special food or supplements
• Possible C-section or emergency care
• Puppy vaccines, deworming, and early vet checks

Good planning reduces surprises and helps you make decisions with a clear head, not in a crisis.

Last update on 2025-12-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Our Conclusion

A general health check before breeding is not an optional extra.

It is a key step in responsible dog breeding.

When you add the proper genetic tests and breed-specific screenings, such as hip dysplasia screening and eye examinations, you protect the mother, give the puppies a better start, and support the health of the whole breed.

If you love your dog, the best gift you can give her and her future puppies is time, testing, and thoughtful planning.

Talk with a trusted vet, look up the AKC and OFA guidelines for your breed, and decide on a plan before you breed.

Healthy litters start long before mating day, and the choices you make now will shape lives for years to come.