Requirements for Breeding Certification
Deutsch Langhaar are held to strict performance, conformation, health, and temperament requirements before they can be approved for breeding. Documentation for each of the following items must be submitted to the Breed Warden when requesting breeding certification.
Performance Tests
DLs must successfully pass a VJP and HZP (or VGP) test in the appropriate time window to be considered for breeding. The breed year runs from October 1 to September 30, so dogs born during that term must run their breed performance tests the following year.
VJP
The spring VJP assesses a young dog’s natural abilities in five categories: tracking, search, pointing, use of nose, and cooperation. A DL must receive a rating of at least “sufficient” (3 points) in each category in order to pass the test and be eligible for breeding. The test will also evaluate gunfire stability; any DL marked as gun-shy is ineligible for brewing.
HZP
The fall HZP builds on the natural abilities tested in the VJP and adds water work and trained subjects, specifically retrieving. The purpose is to demonstrate a dog’s suitability for hunting and training. Scores are given for use of nose, search, pointing, cooperation, desire to work, search with live duck, blind water retrieve, retrieve of feathered game, furred game drag, manner of retrieve, and obedience. A DL must receive a rating of at least “sufficient” (3 points) in each category and not gun-shy in order to pass the test.
Laut
All breeding DLs must be marked as laut (loud) on furred game, either sight-loud or scent-loud. This manner of hunting must be witnessed by two JGHV judges. The VJP is the easiest place to accomplish this, but if not, you must make arrangements for two judges to witness your dog hunting loud on rabbit, fox, or raccoon. A dog’s laut determination must be recorded on the VJP/HZP scoresheet or on a Formblatt 23b if done outside of a test. Your dog must be recorded as laut before December 31st of their testing year.
Conformation
Teeth and Bite
Breed-certified DLs must have a scissor bite (preferred) or butt bite (acceptable). They must not be missing any teeth: there should be three molars plus three premolars on both sides of the top jaw and three molars plus four premolars on both sides of the bottom jaw. An extra tooth is acceptable. You can assess your dog’s teeth and bite around eight months of age, but it is the official assessment of judges (performance and breed show) that will be recorded. Dogs with missing teeth or an overbite, underbite, or crossbite are not eligible for breeding.
Breed Show Evaluation
Candidates for breeding certification must be evaluated at a breed show against the established FCI breed standard and the DLV breeding regulations. Ratings are given for type (meeting the breed standard), conformation (movement and bone structure), and coat (density, texture, pigment, and feathering). Ratings can be Excellent (v), Very Good (sg), Good (g), Acceptable (gen), and Not Acceptable (unge). DLs must receive at least a Good rating in all three categories and show no physical defects in order to qualify for breeding certification.
Health
Hip Dysplasia Evaluation
All breeding DLs must have their hips x-rayed and evaluated for hip dysplasia after they turn one year old. This evaluation must be done by the DLV’s veterinarian in Germany; other organizations such as OFA or PennHIP do not count toward this requirement. See [link] for more information on how to submit hip x-rays. There is a fee, payable in the DL-GNA web store, for processing the HD evaluation. Only DLs with hip ratings of A, B, or C can be certified for breeding, although breedings with C-rated hips require special approval. Elbow and shoulder x-rays are strongly recommended and can be evaluated at the same time as the hips, although they are not required at this time.
**NEW!** Juvenile Cataract Screening
The DLV has initiated a study to determine the cause and prevalence of juvenile cataracts within the breed. All breeding dogs under age 6 must complete an eye exam and share the results with the Eye Exam Coordinator. Prior to breeding, both dogs must have an eye exam on file from the last 24 months and at least one of the dogs must be free of cataracts.
Other Health Considerations
Breeding DLs must be free from health problems such as epilepsy, osteochondrosis (OCD), elbow dysplasia (ED), testicular defects, and eyelid defects such as ectropion or entropion.
Temperament
Hardness Evaluation
The purpose of a Hardness Evaluation (HN) is to determine that a DL is mentally tough enough to engage with a furred predator such as a raccoon, fox, badger, or coyote. This should happen in a natural hunting situation and must be witnessed by another hunter who is not a family member, the dog’s breeder, or the stud dog’s owner.
The evaluation requires an HN card from the HN Coordinator which, once filled out and signed, must be received in Germany within three weeks. The HN Coordinator will submit the completed card on your behalf. There is a fee, payable in the DL-GNA web store, for processing the HN card.
The Hardness Evaluation can be completed at any time prior to breeding certification, but the returned card from Germany must be presented when requesting certification.
Overall Temperament Evaluation
Your dog’s temperament will be evaluated at the performance tests and breed show. If at any time a DL is documented as having a nervous, fearful, or aggressive temperament, they will be excluded from breeding.
Paperwork Submission
Once all of the requirements for certification have been met, you must submit copies of all necessary paperwork along with your dog’s Ahnentafel to the Breed Warden for review. There is a fee for certification which is payable in the DL-GNA web store.
VJP score sheet (Formblatt 3)
HZP score sheet (Formblatt 5)
Hip X-Ray results form
HN card
Loudness Certificate (Formblatt 23b), if not marked on test score sheet
Breed show results
Completed DLV Brood Bitch or Stud Dog Application Form
**NEW** submit eye exam results to the Eye Exam Focal (not the breed warden)