• Certification and clearance of parents
  Many breeders use lines with health clearances that extend back to multiple generations of ancestors. Health clearances that include grandparents, great-grandparents, and even beyond offer additional layers of protection to the puppies. This doesn’t fully eliminate risk and in some cases environmental influences may play a role in some health issues, but health testing several generations of ancestors offers the best possible chance that the puppy will not develop these genetic diseases.

All prospective puppy buyers want their new puppy to have the best possible chance for a long and healthy life, regular veterinary care is important in achieving that goal. But in addition, the risks for many significant health issues can be greatly reduced through careful breeding practices, beginning with certain screening and examinations of each parent of a litter. Each breed has its own particular hereditary problems, Staffordshire Bull Terriers are no exception. Failure to screen for these conditions before breeding may result in taking unnecessary risks for genetic disease, and can lead to distress for the buyer and dog alike. Below is a discussion of important diseases for which the SBTCA Code of Ethics recommends testing prior to breeding.

Reputable breeders are expected to conduct screening and examinations for these diseases on the parents of a litter, or on the entire litter itself, and to disclose the results to prospective puppy buyers. At minimum you should want to see the following for both parents:

• L2-HGA: Parents* should be DNA tested or ‘Clear by Parentage’. If CBP, you should be able to view the parents/grandparents DNA records to prove that they were clear of this disease, so therefore unable to pass it on to their offspring.
• Hereditary Cataracts: Parents* should be DNA tested or ‘Clear by Parentage’. If CBP, you should be able to view the parents/grandparents DNA records to prove that they were clear of this disease, so therefore unable to pass it on to their offspring.
• PHPV: At least 1 CERF (eye exam) for each parent showing they have been checked and cleared for PHPV and other hereditary or congenital eye anomalies. *If parents are not tested or screened for these listed genetic diseases, the puppies should be DNA tested/screened clear before leaving for their new homes.

Other common health testing you may see on parents are:

• OFA/PennHip hip
  certification
• Elbow certification
• Cardiac screening
• Patella (knees)
• Baer (Hearing)
• DM (Degenerative Myelopathy)
• Thyroid (Comprehensive testing for Hypothyroidism)

Potential buyers should feel free to ask the breeder about any subjects or concerns and proof of health testing, the exchange of such information is an expected and customary practice.