Canine Genetics Centre - Research and DNA Testing

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Canine Genetics Centre - Research and DNA Testing

Based at the University of Cambridge, UK, we investigate inherited diseases in dogs along with testing your future generations.

02/01/2026

Happy New Year to all our friends, followers & supporters... we hope that 2026 will be a year for us to continuing building. We have papers in the pipeline, samples heading off for sequencing and data to interrogate. So here's hoping for a productive year and more dogs helped.

For now, we take a look back to the beginning of December when we hosted the first Companion Animal Genetic Health (CAGH) conference here in Cambridge. We welcomed fellow researchers in the fields of dog, cat & horse genetics from the UK, mainland Europe and the USA to present their current work. After all, scientific research is all about discovering new things and sharing those ideas with others!

Read more about the event in our news article - https://www.canine-genetics.org.uk/companion-animal-genetic-health-2025-cambridge/

29/12/2025

🎄 A holiday message from Dr. Cathryn Mellersh... 🎉

🙏 Thank you to everyone who has helped support the Canine Genetics Centre - Research and DNA Testing during 2025.

Whether you have purchased a DNA test, become a Friend of the CGC or made a one-off donation, we appreciate ALL of you.

Our financial position is much improved compared to where we were 2 years ago. But we are not yet secure for the foreseeable future. So please keep on supporting us so that we can continue the work that we do.

Happy holidays and I hope 2026 is kind to us all 🎊

24/12/2025

🎄 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.

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.

Check out our blog post for more information, and THANK YOU! - https://www.canine-genetics.org.uk/can-you-be-our-friend-this-holiday-season/

17/12/2025

Have you seen the news? The future of Cambridge’s veterinary school and the UK’s pandemic preparedness is under threat.

We are fully supporting the campaign. If you can help show your support or if you know someone whose life, animal, or career has been touched by our vet school... please take a moment to add your voice today.

👉 savethevetschool.co.uk

Together we will fight this decision!

16/12/2025

Do you own an Tibetan Terrier... 🤔

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 Tibetan Terrier 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 PRCD. This flexible approach ensures both value and peace of mind—all in one.

https://www.cagt.co.uk/product/tibetan-terrier-bundle/

CAGT in a small DNA testing entity based at the 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!

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/

Address

Department Of Veterinary Medicine, Madingely Road
Cambridge
CB30ES

Website

https://www.canine-genetics.org.uk/

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