Canine Genetics Centre - Research and DNA Testing

12/12/2025

🎄 It’s the season for giving - can you give the gift of Friendship this Christmas by becoming a Friend of the Canine Genetics Centre?

By becoming a Friend of the CGC you will make a real difference to our ability to keep investigating inherited diseases that affect our best friends.

During 2025 we have developed four new DNA tests that are already helping to prevent future generation of dogs from becoming sick. All were funded in part by donations from our Friends.

Everybody who becomes a Friend in December will receive a lapel pin for themselves and a bandana for their furry friend, as well as a chance to nominate somebody they know for the 2026 CGC Canine Health and Welfare Award.

To read how your Friendship will make a difference please click to read this week's article - https://www.canine-genetics.org.uk/can-you-be-our-friend-this-holiday-season/

10/12/2025

🎄 Holiday Notice for CAGT Customers 🎄

We’ll be running with reduced staff in the week before Christmas and will be closed from Mon 22 Dec to Mon 5 Jan 2026.

Please note: Samples received after 19 Dec may not be tested until the new year. To avoid delays, we encourage customers to submit samples as early as possible.

Thanks for your understanding, and happy holidays! ✨

09/12/2025

Day 1 at the Companion Animal Genetic Health (CAGH) conference hosted here in Cambridge saw 3 of our researchers presenting.

👀 Kat gave a talk on some of her recent work on our inherited eye disease programme.

👂 Our PhD student, Bruno, talked about the genetics behind a vestibular disorder in Welsh Springer Spaniels.

🦴 Finally, Ellen presented a flash talk and a poster on an Osteogenesis Imperfecta case from the USA.

All three talks were well received and we are very proud of the diversity of work these guys showed from the CGC.

08/12/2025

Today is day 1 of the “Companion Animal Genetic Health” conference hosted here in Cambridge. We are welcoming an incredible audience of scientists from the UK, mainland Europe and even the USA!

We are looking forward to catching up with old friends, meeting new ones and building international collaborations in the field of canine genetics as well as learning about other companion animal genetics.

05/12/2025

🧬 NEW DNA tests for Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) in Miniature Schnauzers AND the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever 🧬

Based on research undertaken at the Canine Genetics Centre, we are excited to announce that Canine Genetic Testing (CAGT) launched TWO new DNA tests earlier this week.

Our new DNA tests enable early identification of dogs that carry these mutations. Of interest, both of these new mutations are located on the X chromosome and are thus referred to as X-linked. Males with either mutation will develop PRA at some point in their lifetimes, whereas females can carry the mutation. However she will pass the mutation onto 50% of her children - meaning half of her male offspring will be affected.

A scientific paper is being prepared that will detail our findings, but for more information please take a look at this week's news article - https://www.canine-genetics.org.uk/new-dna-tests-launched-for-progressive-retinal-atrophy-pra-in-two-breeds/

02/12/2025

Did you know that today is "Giving Tuesday"? What better way to celebrate a day of national giving than to say a big THANK YOU from the CGC to all those who have given to us 💝.

Donations from Breed Clubs, Groups, Societies and individuals are crucial to the continued running of the Canine Genetics Centre, and we are grateful for every single donation that we have received.

In this, the next in our series of SHOUT OUT posts, we would like to say a huge thank you to all the groups who have supported us:

❤️ Staffordshire Bull Terrier Breed Council of GB & NI
🧡 Blackdown Agility Society
💛 Norfolk & Norwich Canine Society
💚 Pointer Club of Scotland
🩵 The Dogs in Need agility show charity stall
💙 East Anglia Border Terrier Club
💜 Northern and Midlands Beagle Club

We would also like to thank everyone who participated in our Paws 4 Paws walking challenge during November, everyone who has supported our ongoing efforts to raise funds to investigate sudden death in Labrador Retrievers and everyone who have made a personal donation to help support the CGC.

And last but not least – WELCOME to all our new Friends – thank you so much for helping to secure the future of the CGC for the foreseeable future.

28/11/2025

Our currently funded epilepsy research has entered it's final stage and we are (somewhat patiently) awaiting the return of our data. We have identified around 800 variants of interest and we are analysing these in 1000 dogs... that is a whole lot of data!!!

Massive thanks to all you , , , and owners for your sterling efforts on sample collection for this project; alongside data from our collaborations with the University of Helsinki, Utrecht University and The University of Manchester.

For more updates on the project please take a look at this week's article - https://www.canine-genetics.org.uk/epilepsy-update-collaboration-brings-power-to-the-table/

25/11/2025

Did anybody know it was 🖤 BLACK FRIDAY 🖤 this week? I am sure everybody is aware and maybe even a bit fed up of hearing about it, but it's happening and we are joining in! 🎉

Throughout Friday, Saturday, Sunday & Monday we will be offering up to 25% discount on all individual tests purchased from CAGT. So if you're after some tests for your dogs, head over to www.cagt.co.uk this weekend and grab yourself a bargain!

🐾 Perhaps you have a litter planned for early 2026... remember, you can buy tests now and use them at a later date if you want to.

Enter discount code BFR2025 at checkout and it will be applied to all eligible tests in your basket. Bundles and partner tests don't qualify, sorry.

21/11/2025

It's been a while since we updated our supporters with our ongoing efforts, sorry about that! But we have been very busy, working hard on all fronts, and hopefully our most recent newsletter will have landed in your inboxes today.

We have had papers accepted or published, grant applications submitted and new disease variants found. If you have 5 minutes to spare, please do take a look at our articles and if there is ever anything you want to know about the work we do, please don't hesitate to ask. The CGC is here to help you and your dogs live their best lives!

http://canine-genetics.org.uk/newsletter/autumn-2025

Finally, massive congratulations too all those people doing the "Paws 4 Paws" challenge this month. We are incredibly grateful for all the funds that you are helping to raise for us... not long to go now!

If you fancy subscribing, pop over to our and you will receive future issues straight to your email inbox - https://canine-genetics.eo.page/2w2jf

18/11/2025

Do you own an Leonberger... 🤔

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

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

https://www.cagt.co.uk/product/leonberger-bundle/

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

14/11/2025

Back in June, in partnership with Mydogdna, we launched a new DNA test for the genetic risk for Canine Atopic Dermatitis (cAD) in the French Bulldog and Boxer breeds.

Together with Wisdom, we also presented an online webinar into the research behind the test including an explanation about how the test will be offered by our own DNA testing department, CAGT.

Did you miss the webinar? Or do you want to refresh your memory about this research? Just pop over to YouTube where you can watch the full webinar online.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bETMTqW2MdA&list=PLee-PQ6JfJ9ZwlHuzfqrk6SqoB-YC0gcB&index=1

To purchase the test, please visit our website - https://www.cagt.co.uk/product/canine-atopic-dermatitis/

In this webinar dog breeders can discover more about atopic dermatitis, and how the ground breaking research on genetic risk factors for canine atopy was car...

07/11/2025

Three months ago we brought you the incredibly heart-breaking story about the emergence of a horrific series of cases of sudden death in young Labradors. 😢

https://www.canine-genetics.org.uk/the-canine-genetic-centre-investigates-reports-of-sudden-death-in-young-labradors/

Since then we have been received some samples and have been delving into pedigrees to research a possible genetic link. From this research it is looking likely that there is a genetic link which appears to be a simple autosomal recessive inheritance. We would hope this would make the research much more straightforward but we are not able to proceed without more funding and samples.

The Labrador Breed Council launched a JustGiving campaign to help raise the funds needed to whole-genome sequence the genomes of some affected and related Labradors. We need your help to reach their target of £5,000. Once we have the WGS data we will move as fast as we can to try find the causal variant and then develop a DNA test to help the breed move forward from this horrible situation.

https://www.justgiving.com/page/labrador-health-breed-council

The Canine Genetic Centre investigates reports of sudden death in young Labradors Posted on July 4, 2025 | by Canine Genetics Centre Geneticists from the Canine Genetics Centre, along with veterinary cardiologists and neurologists from the Queen’s Veterinary School Hospital, are becoming increasin...