Breed-specific genetic health testing programs are essential tools for reducing inherited disease prevalence in dogs and preventing the suffering caused by predictable, avoidable conditions.
Preventable genetic disease in purebred dogs represents a systemic welfare failure of the breeding industry. Dogs born with hip dysplasia, hereditary cataracts, and exercise-induced collapse suffer conditions that could have been prevented by simple pre-breeding DNA tests or breeding score assessments. Welfare-centered breeding requires commitment to comprehensive health testing, honest record-keeping, and prioritizing health over show type or extreme physical traits. Purchasers who demand health testing certificates from breeders create market pressure that drives broader adoption.