Canine Genetics Centre - Research and DNA Testing

25/03/2026

Labrador Sudden Death research – please & thank you
First of all the Thank you.
We have posted before about the research we are doing to investigate the causes of Sudden Death in Labradors: https://www.canine-genetics.org.uk/research/labrador-sudden-death/.
We would like to say a huge, heartfelt thank you to all the owners who have told us when their beloved pets have died and have donated samples from them to help the research. We understand that this can be a very hard thing to do, and we wanted you all to know we are extremely grateful. Thank you too, to all the breeders who have donated DNA samples from the parents of dogs who have sadly died. We need these DNA samples to find the mutation that is causing this horrible condition, so thank you for providing them.
And now the Please.
We are about to sequence the whole genomes of dogs that have died, and their parents. We have heard about a number of new cases recently and have been lucky enough to collect DNA from many of them. And we would like to sequence the genomes of these dogs too – this will help the research considerably and will hopefully lead us to some answers more quickly.
But we need funds to sequence the genomes of these additional dogs. If you can donate anything, large or small, please help us raise an additional £3,000.
You can donate here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/labrador-health-breed-council
If we can reach £8,000 by the start of April we can sequence more dogs.
Thank you!!

16/03/2026

Thank you to all those that have joined us this afternoon to learn more about how to find or breed a healthy puppy.

Thank you to the West Hub for supporting this afternoon with one of their small grants.

06/03/2026

Help Us Name Our New DNA Bank!
A few weeks ago, we asked our followers what they thought about our idea to set up a new DNA bank that would store DNA specifically from male and female dogs that have been used for breeding.
The idea is to store high-quality DNA from each dog so it can be used in the future for whole genome sequencing, estimating heterozygosity or investigating newly emerging inherited diseases.
We were really encouraged by how many of you responded positively, so we’re now making plans to get this project off the ground!
But first… our new DNA bank needs a name.
We’re looking for something that reflects that it will contain DNA from breeding dogs and will act as a resource to benefit the health of future generations of dogs. Ideally, the name would be memorable — and even better if the initials spell a word themselves.
Some words that you might use: sire, dam, DNA, bank, archive, future, research, health — but this isn’t an exhaustive list by any means.
Be creative!
If we choose your suggestion, you’ll be able to bank the very first DNA sample free of charge once the bank is up and running.

03/03/2026

Crufts week is here! CAGT are not attending but we wanted to wish all of our customers and all CGC supporters the very best of luck if you're competing.

However, to celebrate the world's largest dog show, we are offering 25% off all CAGT tests until the 14th March - just use code CRUFTS26 at the checkout.

Shop online: https://www.cagt.co.uk/

27/02/2026

Have you got that spring feeling? It definitely feels like we are coming out of the other side of the constant mud, dark and wet and with the positive news about the University of Cambridge Vet School earlier this week we are also walking with a spring in our step!

Incredibly, we have also secured 78% of the required funds to keep the CGC running for the following financial year, but we are looking for help to plug that 22% gap (£90,000).

Has YOUR breed benefitted from research done by the CGC in the past?
- or -
Are we currently working on a disease relevant to YOUR breed?

If you can answer YES to either of these questions please do support our "Spring Appeal"... either by donating if you can, or by spreading the word with your friends, breed communities and members of your breed groups.

To read more about the work of the CGC, how many dogs have benefitted from our research and how to donate:https://www.canine-genetics.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/CGCSpring2026-Appeal.pdf

17/02/2026

Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) is the most common cause of spinal injury in dogs with clinical signs ranging from pain to complete, irreversible paralysis of the limbs. IVDD can affect all breeds but chondrodystrophic (short-legged) breeds are at highest risk, which is a significant concern given that some of the UK’s most popular breeds fall into this category.

The Canine Genetics Centre is actively researching IVDD. Our investigations are currently focused on Dachshunds, but we hope that in time, and with appropriate funding, we can extend our research to include other breeds.

Details of our research can be found here: https://www.canine-genetics.org.uk/research/ivdd/

The Canine Genetics Centre would like to thank Dachshund Health UK for their generous and continued financial support of our IVDD research, and for campaigning for additional funds to help support our IVDD research as well as helping us meet our core funding requirements.

https://www.paypal.com/donate?campaign_id=FEYBGGAS4AUUE

30/01/2026

We wanted to let you know that some of our prices will be changing from 1 March 2026.

Due to rising operational costs, a small adjustment is necessary on all CAGT individual tests, to ensure we can continue delivering the high-quality service and reliable results you expect.

💷 From 1 March 2026, the price of an individual DNA test will be £49.50 (inc. VAT).

🙌 As always, 100% of CAGT profits are reinvested into research at the Canine Genetics Centre.

Thank you for your continued support of Canine Genetic Testing and for helping advance the future health of all dogs.

26/01/2026

🐾 Banking DNA from popular sires – a sound investment in the health of your breed?

Everyone from within the dog world knows that popular sires are a cause for concern. Like every other dog, a popular sire inevitably carries mutations that will cause disease if they are inherited in homozygous form by any of their offspring. The Canine Genetics Centre can identify these disease mutations more easily and cheaply than ever before. But only if we have DNA from key ancestors of affected dogs.

The Canine Genetics Centre is developing a scheme to bank DNA from breeding dogs, particularly popular sires and we would love to hear your thoughts. Please feel free to comment below 👇

For more information on our thoughts and reasons please do read this week's article on our website - https://www.canine-genetics.org.uk/banking-dna-from-popular-sires-as-an-investment-in-the-future-health-of-a-breed/

13/01/2026

Do you breed Irish Setters... 🤔

Did you know that that you can buy ALL the required DNA tests to meet the Royal Kennel Club health standard GOOD and BEST practices for breeding your Irish Setter right here in the UK through CAGT?

🧬 You can also build your own test bundle—selecting only the DNA tests you need—while adding additional tests such as DM. This flexible approach ensures both value and peace of mind—all in one.

https://www.cagt.co.uk/product/irish-setter-bundle/

CAGT in a small DNA testing entity based at the University of Cambridge Vet School that works alongside the researchers at the Canine Genetics Centre - Research and DNA Testing. 100% of profits are reinvested into future research at the CGC, so please use CAGT where you can for your DNA testing needs!

12/01/2026