Our Essential Doberman Health Tests

This is our personal list of non-negotiable tests. We want to see all of these results. We do not insist that every test result is good. Why?

Not sure about our list? Take this list to your veterinarian and solicit their professional advice. 
REMEMBER that no health test, written guarantee, or pedigree of long-lived ancestors will guarantee a long, healthy life.

Genetic COI Testing

This test uses your dog's genomic data (from a DNA test swab) to determine how inbred your dog is. A 20% COI means a dog is 20% inbred. 
This matters as there is a negative correlation between Genetic COI and lifespan. For each 1% the COI rises, we expect a dog to die one month earlier.

Pedigree-Based COI Testing

Inaccurate to some degree and often misleading.   MORE

Genetic COI Testing 
​(Done by a DNA laboratory, once in a dog's lifetime)

Genetic COI Test
Where we test:  Doberman Diversity Project​
This test is included in the DDP/Embark DNA Test Panel. ​​​

Heart Disease Testing

Clinical Cardiac Testing
​(Annual testing done by your veterinarian)

Annual Echocardiogram
Where we test:  Board Certified Veterinary Cardiologist

Annual 24-Hour Holter Monitoring
Where we test:  Doberman Diversity Project

ProBNP Blood Test (detects an enzyme in the blood from heart damage)
Where we test:  Veterinarian

Genetic Cardiac Testing 
​(Done by a DNA laboratory, once in a dog's lifetime)

PDK4/DCM1 Test (Chromosome 14)
Where we test:  Doberman Diversity Project
This test is included in the DDP/Embark DNA Test Panel. 

DCM2 Test
(Research Not Yet Published/Reviewed)
Available only through NCSU
(original research lab)

* A Note on Cardio/DCM Genetic Testing:   DNA tests (there are two: PDK4/DCM1 and DCM2) for Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) appear to be only part of the DCM genetic puzzle and more research is needed to gain a fuller genetic picture of what causes DCM. The reason we insist upon knowing the results of both of these DNA tests is that we want to gain a fuller picture of the genetics of our dogs and we want to contribute to research. But we look further than genetic and health testing. If a puppy's pedigree is full of long-lived, healthy dogs, the puppy may be more likely to be healthy and long-lived. Research has revealed that not a lot of longevity in our breed is heritable (consistently passed on). It's not rare to hear a breeder point out that grandma lived to be 12 years old. Most of us like to hear that and focus on that positive point. But it is important to find out of grandma's longevity was heritable. To get an idea, ask about Grandma's siblings. Did they live long, health lives too or was grandma an anomaly? What about grandma's puppies (all of them)? Did they live long lives or did they die prematurely from genetic disease. And what about their puppies? You get the idea. Identifying longevity requires one to turn into a bit of an investigator. When you find a transparent breeder who is a walking encyclopedia containing all of this information, you've found a person worth sitting down with for a few hours. A good breeder will welcome your curiosity. After all, they spent years finding this information and they are usually delighted when someone appreciates that effort and understands how important is is. That said, the decision to buy any Doberman must be made with an honest awareness than any puppy, from any line, can die prematurely or suffer poor health. The BEST way to increase one's odds of finding a puppy that will be healthy and long-lived, is to find a breeder who thoroughly health tests their dogs, performs the best genetic testing (ideally participates in the Doberman Diversity Project to support research and to be able to tell puppy buyers what the Litter's Genetic COI is), knows their dog's pedigree inside and out, and who breeds Dobermans whose pedigrees are full of ancestors who lived healthy, long lives. It's no guarantee of a healthy, long-lived puppy but it's as close as we can get today.

von Willebrand Disease Testing

Von Willebrand Disease is a genetic disease, caused by a mutation, that impacts a dog's ability to clot properly.
If your dog carries one or more of these mutations, work with your veterinarian to deal with it appropriately. 

Clinical Cardiac Testing
​(Annual testing done by your veterinarian)

von Willebrand Factor Antigen Assay Blood Test
​Where we test:  Veterinarian
learn more

Genetic von Willebrand Disease Testing 
​(Done by a DNA laboratory, once in a dog's lifetime)

vWD1 DNA Test 
Where we test:  Doberman Diversity Project
This test is included in the DDP/Embark DNA Test Panel. 

Hip Dysplasia Testing

Clinical Hip Dysplasia Testing
​(Annual testing done by your veterinarian)

Genetic Hip Dysplasia Testing 
​(Done by a DNA laboratory, once in a dog's lifetime)

PennHIP Examination (learn more)
​Where we test:  PennHIP certified Veterinarian

Traditional OFA/AKC Hip Exam (learn more)
Where we test:  veterinarian

​Genetic Testing
There is no DNA test for Hip Dysplasia at this time.

You can, however, consider genetic hip scores in your breeding decisions by using the FREE Estimated Breeding Value data and information through Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine HERE.  ​

​Learn more about Hip Examination Choices HERE. 

Thyroid Disease Testing

It is important to understand that thyroid disease can be genetic or acquired. 

Clinical Thyroid Testing
​(Annual testing done by your veterinarian)

Genetic Thyroid Testing 
​(Done by a DNA laboratory, once in a dog's lifetime)

Gold Standard Testing
MSU Thyroid Panel
Where we test:  Veterinarian

Congenital Hypothyroidism DNA Test (Chromosome 14)*
Where we test:  Doberman Diversity Project
This test is included in the DDP/Embark DNA Test Panel. 
​​

* Test Pending Validation for Dobermans

Multi Drug Sensitivity/Reaction Testing

Clinical MDR1 Testing
​(Annual testing done by your veterinarian)

Not Available

Genetic MDR1 Testing 
​(Done by a DNA laboratory, once in a dog's lifetime)

MDR1 Genetic Test
Where we test:  Doberman Diversity Project
This test is included in the DDP/Embark DNA Test Panel. ​

Degenerative Myelopathy Testing

Genetic mutation caused disease of the spine.

Clinical DM Testing
​(Annual testing done by your veterinarian)

Genetic DM Testing 
​(Done by a DNA laboratory, once in a dog's lifetime)

None.

MDR1 Genetic Test
Where we test:  Doberman Diversity Project
This test is included in the DDP/Embark DNA Test Panel. ​​

Eye Disease Testing

A CERF test is a distinctive eye screening exam that is carried out by Veterinary Ophthalmologists. These individuals are board certified by the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (AVCO). The procedure, which is conducted yearly, involves a careful and comprehensive examination of the eye. To start with, the dog’s pupils are dilated with eye drops. The examiner then illuminates the eye with a penlight to look for any key abnormality. The eye is then examined in detail using a slit lamp bio-microscope to identify any diminutive anomalies in the lens, cornea, and in the anterior chamber. During this part of the exam anomalies such as distichia, cataracts, vitreal degenerations, and corneal dystrophy may be noticed. Lastly, the retina is examined using an ophthalmoscope (usually an indirect ophthalmoscope). This exam provides the examiner a lucid view of all the parts of the retina. The indirect ophthalmoscope device offers the veterinarian with proper optics and a light source. Problems such as Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Retinal Dysplasia, optic nerve hypoplasia, choroidal hypoplasia may be revealed during this part of the examination.

Clinical Eye Testing
​(Annual testing done by Veterinary Opthalmologists)

Gold Standard Testing
CERF Exam (Canine Eye Registry Foundation)
Where we test:  Any Veterinary Opthalmologist

Genetic Eye Testing 
​(Done by a DNA laboratory, once in a dog's lifetime)

None

GPT Testing

Genetic mutation which causes under-reporting of Liver Enzymes (ALT) in routine blood test results.

Clinical DM Testing
​(Annual testing done by your veterinarian)

None.

Genetic DM Testing 
​(Done by a DNA laboratory, once in a dog's lifetime)

GPT Genetic Test
Where we test:  Doberman Diversity Project​
This test is included in the DDP/Embark DNA Test Panel. ​​​