The Kennel Club has announced changes to the list of laboratories it will accept DNA results from in order to align with the changing landscape of the genetic testing industry.
As of January 2025, the University of Missouri and the Orthopaedic Foundation for Animals will be reintroduced to the list of recognised, accepted laboratories, having provided the necessary information requested by The Kennel Club.
Importantly, this will mean that two tests – adult-onset neuropathy (AON) in the Cocker Spaniel and degenerative encephalopathy (DE) in the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever – that were previously de-recorded due to only being offered solely by these two laboratories, can now be re-introduced.
Test results will be added to the dog’s registration details which will trigger the publication of the result in the next available Breed Records Supplement and on the Health Test Results Finder on The Kennel Club website.
Results for dogs already tested can also be recorded, but owners will need to submit copies of the DNA certificates themselves. DNA test certificates should be scanned and emailed to Health results (The Kennel Club)
More information about DNA testing is available via a webinar delivered by The Kennel Club’s geneticist, Dr Joanna Ilska.
Owners are reminded that:
- From August 2018, 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. Any test results issued after that date that do not carry these identifying features will not be accepted.
- The Kennel Club has a set of criteria that it requests DNA testing laboratories to meet to enable it to record their results, helping to maintain and protect the integrity of results that appear on a dog’s records. The Kennel Club has updated the list of laboratories that it accepts results from and strongly advises that customers ensure their chosen laboratory is included on its revised list if they wish The Kennel Club to record and publish the results. Results from laboratories not included on this list will not be recorded.
To find out which laboratories The Kennel Club is able to record results from, please refer to our website. To find out which DNA tests are relevant to your breed, visit our website.