10/11/2025
Did you know?
For decades, there have been no mandatory testing for Dutch Shepherds in Finland. Since the breed was first introduced here in the late 1980's, no test or examination has ever been required for registration. The breed club in Finland has naturally always had various recommendations, but things have been different in practice: a breeder could always pair any two registered dogs of the same breed, as long as the male had normal testicles.
But a change is coming in 2026! Breed enthusiasts have voted to enter Dutch Shepherds into PEVISA (Perinnöllisten vikojen ja sairauksien vastustamisohjelma), a Finnish program established to combat hereditary defects and diseases in purebred dogs. Breeds enrolled in PEVISA must decide on, and then follow specific registration criteria — these vary by breed and can include anything ranging from health or character testing to offspring or inbreeding limits.
The first PEVISA program for Dutch Shepherds is approved for 2026-2030, with the following requirements:
- Finnish Kennel club readings of hip and elbow x-rays
- Finnish Kennel club readings for spondylosis and LTV
- ECVO eye examination (min. age 12 months, no expiration)
- A result from (at least) one of the following, with gunshot:
* Finnish character test
* MH mental description
* A working dog sport title
- For foreign dogs no eye exam, back x-ray or proof of character is required (for 2/1 litters for male/female, after that all Finnish criteria must be met)
Please note:
These rules mean only that all breeding dogs have to have these results, not that they have to score a certain way. However, a clause by the Finnish Kennel club sets a lower limit: dogs with the lowest possible score in hips, elbows, shoulders, patella or spondylosis are automatically banned from breeding. It will also not be possible to breed with any dog under 24 months old, since spondylosis won't be evaluated before that age.
All results related to the Dutch Shepherd PEVISA are public at jalostus.kennelliitto.fi
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Discussion
PEVISA has been a recurring topic in the breed community for a very long time. Until now, those opposing the program have been more numerous than those supporting it. Even now, not everyone is happy with the change.
What do you think? Does Finland's PEVISA target the right things? Or are there already too many rules and limitations for breeding purebred dogs in today's world?
In any case, it will be interesting to see the next few years of Dutch Shepherd breeding in Finland!
Photo: a throwback to 2018, with baby AC STROS M'KAI RUM "Ruuti" (2018 Messi x Pants)!
