Further Information
Breeding in the VDH
More than 240 different dog breeds are being bred under controlled conditions in the different VDH breeding clubs. The relevant rules emphasize the importance of animal health and welfare. You can find further information about the different animal welfare measures on this website.
What does controlled breeding in the VDH mean?
The VDH and its member clubs pursue strict regulations in breeding, to ensure that health and welfare have the highest priority. VDH-Breeders are controlled on different levels to secure this high standard.
Why do these strict rules and controls exist?
These rules and controls for VDH breeding clubs exist to ensure that healthy dogs fitting the characteristics of the breed standard are being bred, the dogs are kept and fed according to highest animal welfare standards and receive adequate health care. Puppies grow up in surroundings, which provide the best conditions for a healthy development. This promotes the health of each single dog and the entire breed.
These strict rules and controls provide the puppy buyer with the certainty that the breeder did everything possible to promote the physical and mental health of the dogs and lay the foundations for a long happy dog life. Still, a guarantee for this cannot be given, even with the strictest regulations, as nature dogs are living being and there is no way to guarantee complete health.
The VDH seal of quality
The VDH closely monitors all developments regarding the health of dogs being bred. Problems are assessed and strategies for solving these problems are pursued. All breeders in VDH have to abide by these rules and necessary controls. In exchange for this, the VDH provides its knowledge and contacts into veterinary science. All this is done to promote the breeding of healthy dogs with stable behavior.
About one quarter of pedigree dogs in Germany is bred by VDH breeders. Conversely, three quarter of these dogs are imported from different countries or are being bred in a mostly uncontrolled manner.
1. Training
It all starts with qualification. Prospective breeders must first undergo further training and acquire the basic knowledge required to breed dogs.
2. Inspection of the kennel
A trained breed warden from the dog breed club inspects the breeder's kennel. This must fulfil the strict requirements of the breeding regulations and the Animal Welfare Act.
3. Breeding authorisation
During the breeding authorisation process, experts check whether the dogs are suitable for breeding. For this purpose, the dog's appearance and behaviour are assessed and appropriate health certificates from vets must be presented.
4. Breeding control
The breeding clubs have access to the dogs' health data and check whether the mating of male and female dogs is permitted or whether there is a risk of hereditary diseases.
5. Litter inspection
At the litter inspection, the breeding supervisor checks the condition of the mother dog and the puppies. This is documented in a protocol and submitted to the breeding club.
6. Veterinary care
Checked and labelled: The puppies are vaccinated, wormed and clearly identified by microchip.
7. Visit to the breeder
Before a breeder sells his puppy, he will have asked the puppy buyers extensively about their living conditions and the conditions in which the puppy will be kept. A good breeder is interested in who he is selling a dog to.
8. A new family member
The puppy marks the start of an exciting new phase in life. The VDH pedigree guarantees that strict litter and breeding controls are carried out.