New Dna Testing Schemes For The English Setter

15 August 2019

New Dna Testing Schemes For The English Setter

The Kennel Club has approved two new official DNA testing schemes for progressive retinal atrophy (PRA-rcd4) and neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL) in the English Setter following consultation with the breed’s health coordinator on behalf of the breed clubs.

PRA is a well-recognised inherited condition to which a number of breeds of dog are predisposed. The condition is characterised by bilateral degeneration of the retina causing progressive vision loss which culminates in total blindness. Although there is no treatment for PRA, dog breeders will be able to use DNA tests to screen their animals for the condition and factor this into their breeding programmes accordingly.

NCL is a severe inherited disease which causes a gradual degeneration of the nervous system. Signs and symptoms vary widely between the forms but generally include a combination of dementia, vision loss, and epilepsy.

To find out which laboratories the Kennel Club is able to record results from, and which labs will send results direct to the Kennel Club, please refer to the worldwide DNA testing list at www.thekennelclub.org.uk/worldwide-dna-tests/.

The Kennel Club constantly reviews DNA testing schemes in conjunction with breed clubs to ensure that breeders are supported with resources which help them to make responsible breeding decisions.

The Kennel Club works alongside breed clubs and breed health coordinators in a collaborative effort to improve the health of pedigree dogs and is happy to accommodate a club’s request to add a new DNA test to its lists. A formal request from the breed’s health coordinator or a majority request from the breed clubs is normally required to do this.

Test results will be added to the dog’s registration details which will trigger the publication of the result in the next available Breed Records Supplement. The result will appear on any new registration certificate issued for the dog and on the registration certificates of any future progeny of the dog, and also on the Health Test Results Finder on the Kennel Club website. Results for dogs already tested can also be recorded, but owners will need to submit copies of the DNA certificates themselves

If the owner includes the original registration certificate for the dog (not a copy) then a new registration certificate will be issued, with the DNA result on it, free of charge. DNA test certificates should be sent to Breeder Services, The Kennel Club, Clarges Street, London W1J 8AB or scanned and emailed to health.results@thekennelclub.org.uk.

ENDS
[165.19]
7 August 2019
Photo caption: The Kennel Club has approved two new official DNA testing schemes for the English Setter breed. Photo may be used free of charge for editorial purposes only where the following photo credit is given: Photo by Diane Pearce / The Kennel Club ©For journalists who would like further press information, images or interview requests please email press.office@thekennelclub.org.uk www.thekennelclub.org.uk

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Notes to Editor

The Kennel Club

The Kennel Club is the largest organisation in the UK devoted to dog health, welfare and training. Its objective is to ensure that dogs live healthy, happy lives with responsible owners.
It runs the country’s largest registration database for both pedigree and crossbreed dogs and the Petlog database, which is the UK’s biggest reunification service for microchipped animals. The Kennel Club is accredited by UKAS to certify members of its Assured Breeder Scheme, which is the only scheme in the UK that monitors breeders in order to protect the welfare of puppies and breeding bitches. It also runs the UK’s largest dog training programme, the Good Citizen Dog Training Scheme and accredits dog trainers and behaviourists through the Kennel Club Accredited Instructors Scheme.

It licenses shows and clubs across a wide range of activities, which help dog owners to bond and enjoy life with their dogs. The Kennel Club runs the world’s greatest dog show, Crufts, and the Discover Dogs event at ExCeL London, which is a fun family day out that educates people about how to buy responsibly and care for their dog.

The Kennel Club invests in welfare campaigns, dog training and education programmes and the Kennel Club Charitable Trust, which supports research into dog diseases and dog welfare charities, including Kennel Club Breed Rescue organisations that re-home dogs throughout the UK. The Kennel Club jointly runs health screening schemes with the British Veterinary Association and, through the Charitable Trust, funds the Kennel Club Genetics Centre at the Animal Health Trust, which is at the forefront of pioneering research into dog health. The Kennel Club Cancer Centre at the Animal Health Trust (AHT) contributes to the AHT’s well-established cancer research programme, helping to further improve dog health.