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The launch of the Kennel Club Genetics Centre at the Animal Health Trust
The eradication of inherited
disease in dogs has taken a huge step forward with the launch of a new canine genetics centre.
The Kennel Club
Genetics Centre at the Animal Health Trust (AHT) will accelerate research into inherited canine disease. It aims to create
further diagnostic tests which, together with breeding advice, will improve the health and welfare of generations of dogs.
Because of the small gene pool in purebred dogs, inherited diseases resulting from single gene mutations are more
likely to occur than in their cross bred cousins. This can lead to significant welfare issues. There are more than five million
purebred dogs in the UK alone and many of these will benefit from the findings of the Genetics Centre.
Over the
next five years, the Centre aims to investigate 25 inherited diseases. It will develop, where possible, screening tests to
determine affected and carrier dogs that can be performed with simple mouth swabs. In deciding which diseases to investigate,
the joint Kennel Club and AHT team will look at their impact on the health and welfare of dogs, but also on the support of
breeders and access to data and samples.
Dr Peter Webbon, Chief Executive of the AHT, said: “We’re
delighted to work in partnership with the Kennel Club on this important welfare issue. Our level of skill and expertise within
this field is unparalleled and the new centre enables us to extend our current range of DNA tests.
“We
hope, in time, this will equip breeders with essential information so they can plan successful breeding strategies to avoid
the birth of affected dogs, and ultimately, to eliminate disease from breeds at risk.”
Dr. Cathryn Mellersh
and Dr. Sarah Blott, two of the AHT’s genetics experts, will lead the Centre. Both have been fundamental in identifying
defective genes and developing screening tests which identify a dog’s genetic status and minimise the risk of producing
affected puppies.
The Centre will also introduce new approaches in dog breeding. One major advance will be
estimated breeding values (EBVs). These will enable whole dog populations to be evaluated for inherited disease – even
if individuals haven’t been scanned or DNA tested themselves.
Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club spokesperson, said:
“The Kennel Club is pleased to support research which improves the health and happiness of dogs. Working in partnership
with the Animal Health Trust means we can start to tackle the problem of inherited disease much quicker.
“We
have already made significant investment in this area, and are now delighted to step up the scope of this research. It is
a very real possibility that through this Centre we will be able to eradicate certain inherited diseases in some dogs.”
Dr Ed Hall, President of BSAVA, said: “Inherited disease is one part of a complex issue involved with breeding
pedigree dogs.
“I personally welcome any efforts to improve our current understanding of the area and trust
that the Kennel Club Genetics Centre will make massive progress in the next five years in order to enable owners to make informed
breeding decisions and, in time, to reduce the effect of inherited disease.”
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