Crufts bites back with on-site DNA health test
Kennel Club answers critics with swab check to identify genetic mutations at this year’s show
CRUFTS is to offer DNA testing to help identify dogs’ health problems amid controversies that have arisen about over-breeding.
Owners and breeders can use a “simple and cost-effective” cheek swab test to check dogs for genetic mutations.
The breed-specific tests, which cost between £60 and £120, can identify what diseases the animal may develop and make breeders aware of what to look for in Dna-tested mates.
Crufts has been criticised for promoting breed standards, such as flat faces and skin folds, that can have a detrimental effect on a dog’s health.
The Kennel Club will for the first time offer DNA testing at the world’s biggest dog show, with tests available for 78 breeds and 80 known conditions. It has said it hopes “caring breeders and responsible owners” use the service to ensure they positively impact the health of future generations of dogs.
Those using the service will also be contributing to genetic research, through data collection and cash raised will be put towards research and canine health initiatives.
The DNA tests were launched in December, in partnership with Weatherby’s Scientific – a 250-year-old familyowned business that specialises in bovine and equine genomic health testing. The test swabs will be sent to its laboratory for testing and results will be returned via email and post – and published on the breed’s profile on the Kennel Club website.
“DNA tests are a great way for you to understand your dog’s genes and will help people who are thinking of breeding from their dog to avoid passing on inherited conditions to any future puppies, or can help owners to know what conditions their dog may develop as they get older,” Russell Ferris, the CEO of Weatherbys, said. “Knowing more about [dogs’] genetics can help you reduce the risk of producing puppies affected by inherited conditions. Understanding whether your dog carries a particular disease-causing gene can help you know what to look for in a similarly Dna-tested mate.
“By choosing tailored breed-specific packages, you can check your dog for a number of different genetic mutations all at the same time, making health testing easy and saving you from organising individual tests from several different laboratories,” he added.
There are hopes health testing will become more widely incorporated into breeding programmes, creating healthier canine gene pools.
“There are [around] 250,000 pups registered annually by The Kennel Club, and the ambition is to have a broad uptake [of ] the benefits of incorporating health testing into breeding programmes,” Mr Ferris said.
While DNA testing is not a “silver bullet” to all canine health problems, he
‘Owners can ensure they are having a positive impact on the health of future generations of dogs’
added, it is the starting point as it can determine breed/mate selection.
Dr Joanna Ilska, genetics and research manager at the Kennel Club, said: “We are delighted to offer the Kennel Club DNA testing services for the first time at Crufts.
“We hope that caring breeders and responsible owners make use of these services to ensure they are having a genuine and positive impact on the health of future generations of dogs.
“Those who use the services will be contributing to driving further understanding of canine genetics and disease, and the development of dog health initiatives, with all data and profits reinvested into research as part of the Kennel Club’s mission of making a difference for dogs.”
Crufts runs from tomorrow to Sunday at Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre (NEC).