Health, Genetics & Longevity
Ethical breeder and informed buyers work together to protect the future of the breed.
Health, Genetics & Longevity — Beyond Clear Test Results
​Health testing is a tool, not a guarantee. While modern screening helps identify known risks, it cannot account for every condition, late-onset disease, or inherited pattern. Responsible breeding requires understanding what can be tested, what cannot, and how pedigree knowledge fills the gaps between data points. Longevity, consistency, and transparency across generations matter just as much as individual results — because true health is measured over time, not at a single snapshot.
Lakehaus Kennel Insights
Health testing is a critical starting point, but it is not the full picture. We combine comprehensive health screenings with pedigree research, transparency about outcomes, and an understanding of what can — and cannot — be tested. Longevity, stability, and reduced risk come from informed decisions made over generations, not assumptions or shortcuts.
Health, Genetics & Longevity
Articles 23 - 30
THIS SERIES IS A WORK IN PROGRESS AND WILL BE UPDATED AS 2026 PROGRESSES
- Disclaimer -
Standard #23 - What “Health Tested” Really Means
“Health tested” is a phrase that gets used a lot — and misunderstood just as often. True health testing isn’t a general opinion from a regular vet visit. It’s evaluation by specialists who are trained to assess specific systems: board-certified..
Standard #24 - Who Sets Health Testing Standards — and Why
Health testing recommendations don’t come from nowhere. They’re developed and maintained by breed parent clubs — organizations made up of breeders, veterinarians, researchers, and long-time stewards of the breed...
Standard #25 - Breed-Specific Health Matters (GSP-Focused)
Health testing is never generic — it should always be breed specific. German Shorthaired Pointers are generally a healthy breed, but “healthy” doesn’t mean problem-free. Like every breed, GSPs have known health risks that responsible breeders...
Standard #26 - Genetic Testing Has Limits — and Pedigrees Reveal Patterns
Genetic testing is an invaluable tool — but it isn’t a crystal ball. There are important health concerns in German Shorthaired Pointers that currently have no definitive genetic test. Epilepsy is a prime...
Standard #27 - Transparency Includes Unfavorable Results
Transparency only matters when the information is uncomfortable. Sharing clearances, titles, and successes is easy. What actually defines an ethical breeding program is how a breeder handles results that aren’t ideal — the borderline hips..
Standard #28 - Genetics Follow Rules
Genetics aren’t vibes. They don’t care about hopes, intentions, or explanations after the fact. They follow rules. Every dog carries two copies of every gene — one from each parent. How those genes interact determines what traits are expressed, what traits are carried quietly...
Standard #29 - Some Health Risks Appear With Time — and Maturity Matters Before Breeding
Not all health risks show up early. Some of the most impactful health issues in dogs don’t appear until maturity — and often not until years after a dog is physically grown. Autoimmune disease...
Standard #30 - Genetics Set the Framework — Environment Shapes the Outcome
Genetics lay the foundation, but environment determines how that foundation holds up. Not every health issue a dog experiences is purely genetic. Many conditions exist on a spectrum where genetics influence risk...