Crossbreed health testing: what to ask your breeder
Quick answer
Health testing of a crossbreed's parent dogs is the single most reliable way to reduce the risk of inherited disease in a puppy. There is no mandatory testing framework for crossbreeds, so buyers must ask for named DNA tests, BVA/KC screening certificates and annual eye examination results for both parents, and verify them independently rather than accepting a breeder's word.
Health testing of parent dogs is the single most important thing you can do before buying a crossbreed puppy. It is also the area where the most confusion exists, and where the most misleading claims are made. This guide explains what the different types of test are, what to ask for by breed, how to verify that tests are genuine, and what the results actually mean.
The honest caveat:
What types of health test are there?
There are three categories of health test used for breeding dogs in the UK. Understanding the difference matters because breeders sometimes use these terms interchangeably, or use one to imply they have done another.
1. DNA tests
DNA tests are conducted once in a dog’s lifetime, usually from a simple cheek swab or blood sample. They test for specific inherited conditions where the faulty gene has been identified. The result is definitive and permanent.
A DNA result is given as one of three outcomes: Clear (the dog does not carry the faulty gene and cannot pass it to offspring), Carrier (the dog carries one copy of the faulty gene and can pass it on, but is not itself affected), or Affected (the dog carries two copies and will develop the condition).
A Carrier dog can still be used for breeding responsibly, as long as it is paired with a Clear dog. The offspring of a Carrier x Clear pairing cannot be Affected, though some will be Carriers themselves.
2. BVA/KC screening schemes
These are physical assessments carried out by approved veterinary specialists, usually involving X-rays. Unlike DNA tests, they do not give a definitive genetic result: they assess the dog’s physical condition at the time of testing. The two main schemes are:
- Hip Dysplasia Scheme: X-rays of the hip joints, scored by BVA/KC scrutineers. Each hip is scored from 0 to 53, giving a total of 0 to 106. Lower is better. Dogs should ideally be scored below the breed mean score before being bred from.
- Elbow Dysplasia Scheme: X-rays of the elbow joints, graded 0 to 3 per elbow. Grade 0 is clear. Grades 1 to 3 indicate increasing levels of change.
Hip and elbow scores should be done when the dog is at least 12 months old. A dog cannot be hip scored as a puppy.
3. Annual eye testing
Some inherited eye conditions are not detectable by DNA test and are assessed by annual examination by a BVA-approved ophthalmologist. Breeders should have breeding dogs examined each year, as some conditions can develop or progress with age. An eye certificate is only valid for the year in which it was issued.
What is the difference between a health test and a vet check?
A routine veterinary health check is not a health test. When a breeder says ‘our dogs are seen by a vet regularly’ or ‘our vet says they are healthy’, this does not mean the dogs have been tested for inherited conditions.
A general health check looks at the dog in front of the vet on that day. It does not screen for the inherited conditions that may not show up until months or years later, and which can be passed silently to puppies by dogs that appear perfectly healthy.
A dog can carry the gene for Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Familial Nephropathy, or hip dysplasia and show no symptoms at all. Only specific screening tests identify these risks. A clean bill of health from a routine vet appointment tells you nothing about the dog’s inherited disease risk.
Health tests to ask for, by crossbreed
The tests required depend on which breeds are in the cross. Ask about testing for both parents, not just one. The tables below list what responsible breeders should be doing for the most popular UK crossbreeds.
Cockapoo (Cocker Spaniel x Poodle)
| Health test | Type | What to ask for | Which parent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Progressive Retinal Atrophy (prcd-PRA) | DNA | Clear certificate for both parents | Both |
| Familial Nephropathy (FN) | DNA | Clear or Carrier certificate (Cocker Spaniel parent) | Cocker Spaniel |
| Phosphofructokinase deficiency (PFK) | DNA | Clear certificate (Cocker Spaniel parent) | Cocker Spaniel |
| Hip Dysplasia | BVA/KC | Hip score certificate. Both hips scored below breed mean | Both |
| Annual eye examination | Annual | Certificate dated within the last 12 months | Both |
The Cockapoo Club of Great Britain requires at minimum that one parent is DNA tested Clear for prcd-PRA. Responsible breeders test both parents for all conditions above.
Cavapoo (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel x Poodle)
| Health test | Type | What to ask for | Which parent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mitral Valve Disease (MVD) | BVA/KC | Cardiac certificate: Cavalier parent graded Green or Amber (with Green mate). Assessed by cardiologist at 2, 4, and 6 years | Cavalier |
| Syringomyelia (SM) | BVA/KC | SM/CM MRI grading certificate | Cavalier |
| Progressive Retinal Atrophy (prcd-PRA) | DNA | Clear certificate for both parents | Both |
| Hip Dysplasia | BVA/KC | Hip score certificate for both parents | Both |
| Annual eye examination | Annual | Certificate dated within the last 12 months | Both |
MVD is the most critical test for the Cavalier parent. The KC launched an updated cardiac assessment scheme in 2025, replacing the older MVD Protocol, with dogs graded Green, Amber, or Red by a specialist cardiologist. A Cavalier graded Red should not be used for breeding. Ask specifically for the Cavalier parent’s current cardiac grade and the year the certificate was issued.
Labradoodle (Labrador Retriever x Poodle)
| Health test | Type | What to ask for | Which parent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hip Dysplasia | BVA/KC | Hip score certificate. The breed mean for Labradors is approximately 12: ask for scores below this | Both |
| Elbow Dysplasia | BVA/KC | Elbow grade certificate. Grade 0 is ideal for both elbows | Labrador |
| Progressive Retinal Atrophy (prcd-PRA) | DNA | Clear certificate for both parents | Both |
| Exercise-Induced Collapse (EIC) | DNA | Clear or Carrier certificate | Labrador |
| Centronuclear Myopathy (CNM) | DNA | Clear certificate | Labrador |
| Annual eye examination | Annual | Certificate dated within the last 12 months | Both |
Labradors have a high prevalence of hip and elbow dysplasia. The current five-year breed mean hip score for Labradors is approximately 12. Ideally both parents should score below this. Elbow grading is particularly important: both elbows should be grade 0 in a dog used for breeding.
Goldendoodle (Golden Retriever x Poodle)
| Health test | Type | What to ask for | Which parent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hip Dysplasia | BVA/KC | Hip score certificate for both parents | Both |
| Elbow Dysplasia | BVA/KC | Elbow grade certificate. Grade 0 is ideal | Golden Retriever |
| Progressive Retinal Atrophy (prcd-PRA) | DNA | Clear certificate for both parents | Both |
| Annual eye examination | Annual | Certificate dated within the last 12 months | Both |
| Cardiac examination | Annual | No murmur noted at examination (Golden Retriever parent) | Golden Retriever |
For other poodle crosses
If you are buying a crossbreed not listed above, a responsible breeder should be testing for conditions relevant to both parent breeds. The Kennel Club’s health testing database lists the recommended and mandatory health tests for every recognised pedigree breed. Look up both parent breeds to understand what tests apply. Kennel Club health testing by breed
How to verify that health tests are genuine
Health test certificates can be forged. Ask to see original documentation, not photocopies or photographs of documents, and verify independently where possible.
- KC health test results can be checked on the Kennel Club’s online Health Test Results Finder using the registered name or microchip number of the parent dog.
- BVA hip and elbow scores are issued as official certificates and are also recorded centrally. Ask for the dog’s KC registration number and verify the score is on record.
- DNA test certificates should be issued by an accredited laboratory. Common UK providers include the Animal Health Trust, the Pet Genetics Lab, Laboklin, and Orivet. The certificate should show the dog’s name, microchip number, test date, and result.
- Ask to see the parent dogs’ microchip numbers alongside the certificates, and confirm they match the dogs you are being shown.
The honest caveat:
Red flags when asking about health testing
Experienced buyers know these phrases are often a substitute for actual testing. Treat all of the following with scepticism:
- ‘Our dogs have never had any health problems.’ Past health does not screen for inherited conditions that have not yet manifested.
- ‘Our vet gives them a full check every year.’ A routine vet check does not test for inherited conditions.
- ‘We only breed healthy, happy dogs.’ This says nothing about what genetic conditions the parents carry silently.
- ‘We don’t believe in all those tests, our dogs are naturally healthy.’ This is a reason to walk away.
- ‘The parents are KC registered.’ KC registration confirms a dog’s breed record. It does not confirm health testing unless the breeder specifically names the tests done and shows documentation.
- ‘We tested for the important things.’ Ask which things, specifically, and ask to see the certificates.
Frequently asked questions
Why is health testing more important for crossbreeds than purebreds?
It is equally important, but the lack of a mandatory testing framework for crossbreeds means it is more likely to be skipped. KC-registered breeds are subject to breed-specific health testing recommendations enforced through the assured breeder scheme. Crossbreeds have no equivalent. The buyer must therefore do more of the work themselves by asking the right questions and insisting on documentation.
Can I trust a breeder who says their dogs are health tested without showing certificates?
No. ‘Health tested’ without documentation is a marketing phrase, not evidence. Any responsible breeder who has invested in proper health testing will have the certificates ready and will be pleased to show them. A breeder who cannot or will not produce paperwork for specific named tests has not done them, or does not understand what was done.
What does it mean if a parent dog is a carrier for a condition?
A carrier dog carries one copy of a faulty recessive gene but is not affected by the condition itself. A carrier can still be used responsibly for breeding, provided it is paired with a dog that is DNA Clear for the same condition. A puppy cannot be Affected by a recessive condition unless it inherits a faulty copy from both parents. If a breeder tells you one parent is a Carrier, ask for the DNA result certificate for the other parent to confirm it is Clear.
Do I need to health test my crossbreed puppy?
Health testing before buying is about the parents, not the puppy. Once you have bought your dog, routine veterinary care covers its ongoing health. If you ever plan to breed from your crossbreed, testing your dog before breeding is then the responsible step. For pet owners, the most practical things are pet insurance from day one, and regular vet check-ups throughout the dog's life.
What is the most important health test to ask about for a Cavapoo?
The cardiac certificate for the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel parent. Mitral Valve Disease affects the majority of Cavaliers by the age of ten and is directly heritable by Cavapoo offspring. The Kennel Club's updated cardiac scheme (2025) grades Cavalier parents as Green, Amber, or Red. Ask for the Cavalier parent's current cardiac grade and the date of the certificate. A Red-graded Cavalier should not be used for breeding.
What is a breed mean score for hip testing?
The breed mean score is the average BVA hip score for all dogs of a particular breed that have been tested. For Labradors, the current mean is approximately 12. Ideally, breeding dogs should score below the breed mean. A score of 0 is the minimum (healthiest) and 106 is the maximum (most affected). Each hip is scored separately, so a total score of 10 means 5 per hip on average.