Recommendations (or sometimes requirements) differ among countries and can be determined by the country’s official registration body and/or a parent dog organization.  Basic health screening prior to breeding and minimum age are presented; more detail is available on the country’s link.

In the UK there are both the country’s Kennel Club (KC) and 5 Bearded Collie Clubs (see links on the UK page).  At a minimum the KC requirements would be needed for puppy registration.  One club states that specific endorsements (i.e., not to be bred from) should be placed on the registration form (e.g., predominantly white) and the buyer made aware.

Country	Health Screening Recommendations	Other
USA	BCCA CHIC recommendations: – Hip evaluation for dysplasia – Eye exams yearly – Thyroid testing for AI disease yearly til 5 yr, then every other yr – Elbow dysplasia (optional)	AKC Regulations: – Minimum age: males 7 mos; bitches 8 mos (the original and only age limit set in 1932 when litter registrations began) – Bitch should not be bred in first season – Max age – 12 yrs males & bitches – DNA certification of AI litters, regardless of method – Frequently used sires must be AKC DNA profiled (more than 7 litters in lifetime or 3 litters in 1 year)
UK – Kennel Club and Assured Breeders Program	– Problems relevant to the breed including DNA tests (CEA, PRA) – Hip scores not above breed average (9) – EBV – estimated breeding value is based on the hip scores of parents and relatives, done between 1-4 yr. The EBV is recalculated 4 times a year. Ideally breeders should use dogs that have an EBV which is lower than average (i.e. a minus number) and preferably with a confidence rating of at least 60%. For more: go here	– Bitches min age 2 yr, no more than 4 litters – An application to register a litter will not be accepted when the dam has already reached the age of 8 years at the date of whelping, save in exceptional circumstances. Then the application must be made prior to the mating, and the proposed dam has previously whelped at least one other registered litter and permission has been received. Any such application must be supported by veterinary evidence as to the suitability of the bitch involved in the proposed whelping. – Anyone breeding three or more litters and selling at least one puppy in a 12-month period will require a dog breeding licence. Breeders who breed fewer than three litters per year and sell them without making a profit are deemed to be out of the scope of licensing. – 1 club specifies to not breed from a dog with an AI condition or repeat a mating that produced a puppy with an AI condition
The Netherlands	Required – Hip test	– Both parents pedigreed with national registry (Raad van Beheer) – Parents can’t be Merle color – Dog with known illness that affects its health or well-being, or one that can affect offspring can’t be bred – Bitches: – No more than 5 litters – Minimum age – 16 mos – Maximum age – not over 72 mos if no prior pregnancy or over 108 mos if prior pregnancy – 12 mos between successive litters – Cannot be mated to grandfather, father, brother, half-brother, son or grandson
Canada	– Hip clearance after 24 mo – Eye clearance current, OFA or equivalent within 1 yr of mating – Thyroid clearance current or within 1 yr of mating, OFA or equivalent	BCCC Code of Ethics lists health test requirements – 24 mo, minimum age – bitches not over 8 yr unless cleared by vet & consider prior litter size, spacing, & number – bitches no more than 4 litters
New Zealand	If a breeder joins the Accredited Breeder scheme, then must do all the mandatory testing for breed. For Beardies, sire and dam must have: – Eye exam within 12 mos of litter registration – Hip, elbow dysplasia – CEA – DNA profile – Thyroid panel	Abide by Breeders Code of Conduct – No mating under 12 mo; none over 8 years – Bitch no more than 2 litters in 18 mo; exception possible then 12 mo rest after 3rd litter – Bitch no more than 6 litters; no exceptions – No close matings (father/daughter, mother/son, brother/sister) – No merle to merle in any breed Litter Registration Limitations. Each breed decides which tests MUST be done on sire and dam before a litter can be registered. Bearded Collies are not part of this as of Jan 2023.
Germany – Bearded Collie Club of Germany (BCCD)	– Hip breeding requirements: males HD A or B (suspect HD); bitches HD A, B, C (slight HD; only bred to HD A) – Hip breeding not permitted: males with HD C, D, E; bitches with HD D, E – Elbows: Xrays recommended – An eye exam to exclude hereditary eye diseases with annual repetitions up to the age of 5 is recommended, but is currently not mandatory	– Minimum age: males 12 mo ; bitches 22 mo – Bitches bred up to 9 yr; 12 mos between breedings unless open – AI requested from main breed warden – 2 litter inspections by breed warden – New breeders show proof of training courses
Sweden	– Dogs with serious health problems must not be bred – Average hip index of parents 100 or more – Cannot use hip grade D or E – Foreign dog used in breeding must have hip xray result known – Healthy carriers for a disease bred only to normals – Do behavior & personality test, mental health test	– Bitches: minimum age – 18 mo; max 5 litters; over 7 need health certificate; no breeding after 10 – Males recommended # puppies 17 (max 43); fewer if highly related – Cervical or vaginal AI by licensed vet only – Increase # dogs that are fearless and curious – Animal welfare inspections by the Country Administrative Board (announced or not) – Permit required for more than 2 litters/yr – Cannot register pups of siblings, father/daughter, mother/son breeding – Puppies have to be microchipped & registered, vet exam within 7 days of sale – Agreement forms required on transfer
Australia	Anyone who can assist with providing this information please send message via the “contact us” button in the footer.
France	Anyone who can assist with providing this information please send message via the “contact us” button in the footer.