Canine Genetics Centre - Research and DNA Testing

04/11/2025

Do you own an English Springer Spaniel... 🤔

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

🧬 You can also build your own test bundle—selecting only the DNA tests you need—while benefiting from discounted rates on additional tests such as CDDY and PP. This flexible approach ensures both value and peace of mind—all in one.

https://www.cagt.co.uk/product/english-springer-spaniel-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. 100% of profits are reinvested into future research at the CGC, so please use CAGT where you can for your DNA testing needs!

31/10/2025

Another week and another paper published!

We have been involved in the worldwide research to identify the causal variant for Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) in the Keeshond dog breed for many years. To say it's not been easy is an understatement!

Earlier this week our peer-reviewed paper detailing details of a strongly associated variant was published in the Wiley journal "Animal Genetics". A DNA test based on this research is available to purchase from Canine Genetic Testing (CAGT).

In the paper, and summarised in our latest news article, we delve into a bit more of the nitty-gritty behind this project.

https://www.canine-genetics.org.uk/variant-strongly-associated-with-primary-hyperparathyroidism-in-the-keeshond-breed-has-been-published/

27/10/2025

Earlier this year the The Kennel Club published their new health standard for each breed of dog. This standard helps to simplify the process for breeders, and future dog owners, to know which health tests should be used.

CAGT wants to make DNA testing as simple and straight forward as possible and we are very happy to say that we offer the full Good/Best practice set of DNA tests (2 or more) for 14 different breeds of dog as part as a cost-effective bundle.

We are working hard to increase that number and welcome feedback and help from all breeds.

Read more... https://www.canine-genetics.org.uk/cagt-offers-full-kc-good-best-practice-bundles-to-14-different-breeds/

17/10/2025

👀 PROGRESSIVE RETINAL ATROPHY (PRA) 👀

This group of inherited eye diseases (IEDs) that are inherited, progressive disorders specific to the retina. PRA presents at a variable age of onset between and within dog breeds.

Here at the CGC we have successfully identified 24 IED variants to date... read this week's article for more ground-breaking news!

https://www.canine-genetics.org.uk/progressive-retinal-atrophy-pra/

14/10/2025

Calling all scored Dachshunds… please get involved with our research into IVDD. We are starting to look at finding a link between the number of calcified discs and the genetics.

If you have had your Dachshund IVDD screened you can now help with an investigation into the genetics of IVDD.

10/10/2025

Please watch this short video from Dr Cathryn Mellersh explaining the difference you can make by taking part in Paws 4 Paws this November.

Join the Challenge Facebook group now at https://www.facebook.com/groups/paws4paws100 to find out how to get involved.

Thank you 🐾🐕🐾

09/10/2025

Have you heard about the big DNA dog walk! We'd love you and your four-legged friends to join us!

This November, simply walk 100km with your dog in 30 days and get sponsored to do so. Walk, wag and change lives! Every step taken and every pound raised will help us fight genetic disease in dogs.

When you create your fundraising page and raise your first £25, we’ll send you a free dog bandana for your dog to wear during your challenge!

To join the team, please join our Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/paws4paws100

We can't wait to walk with you.

03/10/2025

With the massive wealth of expertise Dr. Cathryn Mellersh has in the field of canine genetics she is not only an asset to the CGC but she is a member of various groups and committees, including the WSAVA Hereditary Disease Committee (HDC).

Last week she travelled to Rio de Janeiro, alongside her committee compatriots to join over 5,000 members of the veterinary community at the - World Small Animal Veterinary Association congress.

Read more about her role within the WSAVA and their 50th world congress in this week's article - https://www.canine-genetics.org.uk/cathryn-attends-wsava-congress-in-rio/

19/09/2025

August is often a quiet month for us with family time and holidays, but we are back at it now... working on our incredibly important projects to help your dogs stay healthy!

It's not all about us though and this week's article details a regular event that happens in the University of Cambridge Vet School every 6 months... a dedicated afternoon where the diverse range of researchers in the department all come together to share their work and learn from each other.

Read more about the day and how we got involved - https://www.canine-genetics.org.uk/cambridge-vet-school-one-big-research-family/

17/09/2025

It was with deep sadness that we learned that Christine Heinrich died on Saturday 13th September.

Christine was a highly respected veterinary ophthalmologist, who had contributed to several of the Canine Genetics Centre’s eye disease investigations. She was one of the original collaborators of the CGC’s CRIEDD project when it launched in 2018, and latterly had been helping us characterise inherited cataracts in Miniature Schnauzers, a breed that she loved.

We will miss Christine very much, not only for her extensive knowledge and expertise in the field of veterinary ophthalmology, but also for her enthusiasm, her generosity, her larger-than-life personality and above all her sense of humour.

Our sincere condolences go to Karen, and all Christine’s close family and friends.

02/09/2025

Great news for today... the CAGT website is back online and much faster than before.

🧬 https://www.cagt.co.uk/

Well done to some of our eagle-eyed customers who noticed we were back yesterday and thank you for your orders... these will be processed and dispatched ASAP.

Thank you for your support over the past couple of weeks and we hope you appreciate the new speedier website.

Remember that by using CAGT you are directly supporting the Canine Genetics Centre. We are UK-based and 100% of profits are reinvested into our research.

30/08/2025

Hopefully the August issue of our newsletter will have landed in your inboxes this morning. Our main article this month is all about the very worrying reports of sudden death in young labradors. We truly hope to be able to begin research soon with the fundraising efforts of the Labrador Breed Council and our own CGC Friends scheme.

Also this month, exciting news about our "Wobbly Welshie" project, which has tested the team's experience and expertise to the max, and time to meet another of the team - our resident "crazy dog lady" (and Bioinformatician).

Lastly, we realise it's been less than ideal to have our DNA testing website offline for the last two weeks, but final testing is being done this weekend and it will hopefully be back online before the end of the month... 👀 watch this space for the official announcement. Thank you all for your patience, hopefully the website will be much faster going forward 🤞

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