Health testing is the clearest line between a responsible breeder and the rest. Here’s what Samoyeds should be tested for in Australia, what the results actually mean, and what to ask before you commit to a puppy.
Why health testing matters
Every breed carries a handful of inherited conditions. Health testing lets a breeder see what the parents carry and make informed pairings — stacking the odds in favour of sound, long-lived puppies. It’s not a cast-iron guarantee (no breeding is), but a breeder who tests both parents and shares the results is showing you they breed with their eyes open. A breeder who can’t or won’t is a red flag.
The tests that matter for Samoyeds
In Australia these are the screenings a serious Samoyed breeder does. Ask to see current results for both parents:
| Test | What it screens | What to look for |
|---|---|---|
| Hip score | Hip dysplasia (X-ray, AVA/ANKC scheme) | Lower is better; the Samoyed breed average is around 12 — responsible breeders aim below it. |
| Elbow score | Elbow dysplasia (same scheme) | 0 is ideal. |
| Eyes — ACES | Inherited eye disease (annual exam) | A current Australian Canine Eye Scheme certificate; covers PRA, cataract and retinal dysplasia. |
| PRA (DNA) | Progressive retinal atrophy | A DNA test gives a definitive Clear / Carrier / Affected result for this cause of blindness. |
| Hereditary Nephritis (SHG) | X-linked kidney disease (COL4A5 DNA) | The Samoyed-specific test — a definitive DNA result, important especially for males. |
| Gonioscopy | Glaucoma predisposition (eye-angle exam) | Some breeders also screen the eye’s drainage angle; glaucoma is uncommon in Samoyeds but the check is a plus. |
Hips & elbows
Hip and elbow dysplasia are joint conditions with a strong hereditary component. Dogs are X-rayed and scored under the AVA/ANKC scheme; breeders use those scores to pair dogs that reduce the risk in their puppies.
Eyes
Samoyeds should have regular ACES (Australian Canine Eye Scheme) examinations by a veterinary ophthalmologist, backed by a DNA test for PRA. Together these guard against inherited blindness.
Hereditary Nephritis (SHG)
Samoyed Hereditary Glomerulopathy is a serious inherited kidney disease carried on the X chromosome (the COL4A5 gene). Because it’s X-linked it hits males hardest. The good news: a DNA test gives a definitive Clear, Carrier or Affected result, so a knowledgeable breeder can avoid ever producing an affected puppy.
Reading — and verifying — the results
Don’t just take “fully health tested” on trust. A responsible breeder will happily show you the actual certificates for both parents. In Australia, health results for pedigree dogs are recorded in Dogs Australia’s Orchid database, and many breeders publish results openly.
At Kalaska
Our dogs are hip- and elbow-scored, ACES eye-examined and gonioscopy-screened, with hereditary-nephritis testing in our lines — and hip and eye results are recorded on each dog’s profile so you can see them for yourself.
Beyond the tests: what responsible breeding really means
Health testing is essential, but it’s not the whole story. Responsible breeding also means:
- Breeding for temperament and type, not just clear results — a healthy dog should also be a sound, typical, good-natured Samoyed.
- Managing genetic diversity — thoughtful pairings across a wider gene pool, not repeatedly doubling up on the same lines.
- Raising puppies well — in the home, socialised, given the best start.
- Standing behind every puppy for life, with advice and a safety net if circumstances change.
A show record is one more independent signal that a breeder is breeding to the Standard — see our guide to Australian Samoyed titles & show results.
Fifty years of breeding for health
At Kalaska, health has always come first — because a beautiful Samoyed is only truly beautiful if it’s sound and well. Five decades of careful, health-tested breeding is behind every puppy we place, and we’re always happy to talk you through exactly what we test and why.
