The Kennel Club has approved the introduction of an import control scheme to continue to encourage the use of overseas dogs in breeding, whilst protecting the UK population from DNA mutations being reintroduced.
Following consultation with the breed clubs as part of the Health Standard process, The Kennel Club has identified several breeds that have successfully bred away from harmful DNA testable conditions within the UK bred population, however during engagement with Breed Health Co-ordinators, clubs have communicated concerns that mutations could be reintroduced through the use of imported dogs.
As such, dogs of any of the following breeds imported from the 6 January 2025 that are to be registered with The Kennel Club will be required to be DNA tested clear or carrier, or have proven hereditary status, for the pertinent mutation from one of The Kennel Club’s approved laboratories. This restriction also applies to the use of AI from an overseas stud dog, and for the sires of bitches imported in whelp.
The breeds for which this restriction will be applied are as follows:
- Italian Spinone – cerebellar ataxia (CA)
- Large Munsterlander – hyperuricosuria (HUU)
- Poodle (Standard) – progressive retinal atrophy (prcd-PRA)
- Poodle (Standard) - progressive retinal atrophy (PRA (rcd4)
- Saluki – neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL)
Similarly, several breeds have succeeded in eradicating mutations from their breeding population through the use of full control schemes, whereby all dogs used for breeding must be DNA tested or proven hereditary status, whether they be UK bred or overseas, and as such registration restrictions from the 6 January 2025 will be removed as above to control imported dogs only. The breeds are as follows:
- Briard – congenital stationary night blindness (CSNB)
- German Wirehaired Pointer – von Willebrand’s disease (vWD Type II)
- Irish Red and White Setter – canine leukocyte adhesion deficiency (CLAD)
- Irish Setter - canine leukocyte adhesion deficiency (CLAD)
- Irish Setter – progressive retinal atrophy (PRA (rcd1)
- Welsh Corgi (Cardigan) - progressive retinal atrophy (PRA (rcd3)
Finally, the Otterhound, which currently has an import restriction in place for the control of Glanzmann’s thrombasthenia, in the form of restriction of litters but not the parents themselves, will also be moved to this restriction to ensure that any imported dog is tested prior to being bred from.
The use of carrier dogs is encouraged where used in a combination that will not produce affected puppies, so as to not deplete the breed’s genetic diversity through heavy selection. Further information can be found here.
Bill Lambert, Health, Welfare and Breeders Services Executive at The Kennel Club, commented: “Working together with our communities is absolutely crucial if we are to ensure a healthy future for pedigree dogs and encourage breeders to do the right thing. This change should help to protect the UK dog population and continue to encourage breeders to consider using overseas dogs in their breeding programmes responsibly.
“We commend our breeders and clubs for their efforts in eradicating harmful conditions and using the resources available to make responsible, balanced and informed decisions.”
The Kennel Club will only recognise test results that have been issued by laboratories on its approved list, which can be found here. Laboratories not included on this list will not be recorded. Owners are reminded that it is mandatory that the dog’s microchip (or tattoo) is recorded along with either the dog’s registered name or registered number on any DNA certificates.
Test results will be published on The Kennel Club website via the Health Test Results Finder. DNA test certificates should be scanned and emailed to the following:
Health and Breeder Services (The Kennel Club)
To find out which DNA tests are relevant to your breed, visit their specific breed page here or our DNA testing pages here.
The Kennel Club constantly reviews DNA testing schemes in conjunction with breed clubs to ensure that breeders are supported with resources which help them to make responsible breeding decisions. It works alongside breed clubs and Breed Health Co-ordinators in a collaborative effort to improve the health of pedigree dogs and is happy to consider a club's request to add a new DNA test to its lists. A formal request from the breed's health coordinator or a majority request from the breed clubs is normally required to do this.
The health team at The Kennel Club can be contacted via
Health (The Kennel Club)