At Valor Protection Dogs, every one of our protection dogs is carefully selected for health, temperament, and trainability. Our males are expected to meet the highest standards—Protection Dog Zion is no exception. This is the health testing for Protection Dog Zion.
If you’re looking for health-tested German Shepherd protection dogs in Boise, Idaho, Zion sets the bar for what a truly elite family or personal protection dog should be.
In this post, you’ll find Zion’s full health test results and learn why each one matters.
Zion’s Full DNA Panel via Embark (Including Degenerative Myelopathy)
Zion underwent a comprehensive DNA analysis through Embark, screening for over 200 genetic conditions common to German Shepherds. His results came back as clear for Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) and all other major inherited disorders.
Breed: 100.0% German Shepherd Dog
Wolfiness: 0.6% (Low)
Coat: Em/Em NN BB DD ky/ky aw/a GG *stock coat sable carries for black
Health Report: “Zion is not at increased risk for the genetic health conditions that Embark tests. Zion did not have the variants that we tested for, that are relevant to his breed.”
Breed-relevant conditions: 10 out of 11 variants detected*
*Zion inherited one copy of Scott Syndrome, which does not affect his health and would only be important if he were bred as he would need to be bred to a non-carrier so the puppies would not be affected
DM: N/N
Additional genetic conditions: 197 out of 197 variants not detected
COI: 29 percent
Why this matters: DM is a crippling disease that affects mobility in aging German Shepherds. Zion’s clean genetic slate is essential for a long, active working life and future breeding consideration.
OFA Elbows – Normal
Zion’s elbows were x-rayed and submitted to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA), returning a Normal rating.
Why this matters: Elbow dysplasia can cause early arthritis and pain. OFA Normal gives us peace of mind that Zion has structurally sound joints.
PennHIP Results – Superior
Zion was also evaluated via PennHIP, the gold standard for assessing hip laxity and long-term arthritis risk. His distraction index (DI) is 0.27 and 0.29, which ranks him among the top 10% of German Shepherds.
Why this matters: A low PennHIP score means Zion is highly unlikely to develop hip dysplasia—something critical in a working protection dog expected to perform daily tasks has excellent systemic health—just as strong on the inside as he is on the outside.
Why Choose Health-Tested German Shepherd Protection Dogs in Boise, Idaho?
When families and professionals choose Valor Protection Dogs, they’re not just buying a trained dog—they’re making a lifelong investment in health, safety, and reliability.
We don’t guess. We test.
Zion reflects our unwavering commitment to:
Ethical, responsible breeding
Dogs that are as healthy as they are loyal
Transparency through third-party documentation
Interested in Zion or a Dog Like Him?
Located just outside Boise, Idaho
Czech working-line German Shepherd
Raised with kids in a home environment
Fully health tested, temperament tested, and training started
Contact us to learn more or reserve your next fully trained protection dog.
Health Testing for Protection Dog Zion
Below are images of Zion’s official health test results and certifications:
Learn more about our health testing standards.
Written by Amy Pishner
About the Author:
Amy Pishner is the Founder of Valor Protection Dogs, a premier breeder and trainer of elite German Shepherd protection dogs in Boise, Idaho. With over a decade of experience and a national reputation for excellence, Amy specializes in raising and training world-class German Shepherds that offer both loyalty and protection for families, professionals, and discerning dog owners.
