How To Understand You Dog DNA Testing?

DNA tests allow you to better understand your dog’s genetics. These types of tests can tell you if your dog is likely to be affected by specific conditions or whether they may pass on the genes associated with these conditions if they’re bred from.

Why DNA test your dog?

Understanding your dog’s genetics will give you the information you need to prepare for your dog’s future. Knowing in advance what diseases your dog may develop allows you to you to take preventative steps to support their health and potentially avoid costly vet bills to cover diagnostic tests and treatments later on.

If you’re thinking of breeding from your dog, then knowing more about their genetics can help you reduce the risk of producing puppies affected by inherited conditions. Understanding whether your dog carries a particular disease-causing gene can help you know what to look for in a similarly DNA-tested mate.

Which DNA tests are recommended and available for my dog’s breed

Find out which health tests and screening schemes are relevant to your breed on our Breeds A to Z. Alternatively speak to your local breed club or dog breeder.

Test your dog with The Kennel Club’s DNA Testing Services

The Kennel Club’s DNA Testing Services offers a simple and cost-effective way to DNA test your dog for the priority DNA tests for their breed. By choosing our breed-specific packages, you can check your dog for several different genetic mutations all at the same time, making health testing easy and saving you from organizing individual tests from several different laboratories.

How to DNA test your dog

Our DNA testing service and most others require you to take a simple mouth swab from inside your dog’s mouth (usually from their cheek). Some laboratories and DNA tests may require a qualified person to take a blood sample from your dog, but these are rare.

Submitting your results

If you use The Kennel Club’s DNA Testing Services, your results will be automatically uploaded to your dog’s record, so there’s no need for you to do anything. Many other laboratories also submit DNA test results directly to us to record on our database, so that you don’t have to. You can find a list of DNA tests that we record and whether a laboratory submits results straight to us, or if you need to do it yourself, on the health section of each breed entry on our Breeds A-Z.
How to submit DNA test results from other laboratorieIf a recognized laboratory does not submit results to us for a DNA test that we already record, then you can submit them yourself by scanning and emailing them to
Health (The Kennel Club) .

What we require on the results certificate
We require at least two forms of identification on the result certificate. These must include the dog’s microchip or tattoo number along with either the dog’s registered name or their registered number. We do not accept DNA test result certificates that are missing these details.
Which DNA tests do The Kennel Club record?
DNA TEST MODE OF INHERITANCE BREEDS
AI/FEH (Amelogenesis Imperfecta/Familial Enamel Hypoplasia)

Autosomal recessive Japanese Akita Inu
AMPN (Alaskan Malamute polyneuropathy) Autosomal recessive  Alaskan Malamute
AMS (Acral mutilation syndrome) Autosomal recessive  Cocker Spaniel
English Springer Spaniel
AON (Adult onset neuropathy) Autosomal recessive Cocker Spaniel
BBS2-PRA (Progressive retinal atrophy)
Autosomal recessive Shetland Sheepdog
CA (Cerebellar ataxia) Autosomal recessive (linkage test) Italian Spinone
CC/DE (Curly coat/Dry eye) Autosomal recessive Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
CDSL (Chondrodysplasia) Autosomal recessive Norwegian Elkhound
CEA/CH (Collie eye anomaly/Choroidal hypoplasia) Autosomal recessive Australian Shepherd
Bearded Collie
Border Collie
Lancashire Heeler
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
Rough Collie
Shetland Sheepdog
Smooth Collie
CHG (Congenital hypothyroidism with goiter) Autosomal recessive Spanish Water Dog
CLAD (Canine leucocyte adhesion deficiency) Autosomal recessive Irish Red and White Setter
Irish Setter
CNGA1-PRA (Progressive retinal atrophy)
Autosomal recessive Shetland Sheepdog
CNM (Centronuclear myopathy) Autosomal recessive Labrador Retriever
COMMD1 (Copper toxicosis) Autosomal recessive Bedlington Terrier
Cone degeneration Autosomal recessive Alaskan Malamute
Copper toxicosis Autosomal recessive (linkage test) Bedlington Terrier
CSNB (Congenital stationary night blindness) Autosomal recessive Briard
CU (Cystinuria) Autosomal recessive Newfoundland
DCM (Dilated cardiomyopathy) Autosomal recessive Giant Schnauzer
Schnauzer
DE (Degenerative encephalopathy) Autosomal recessive Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
DM (Degenerative myelopathy) Autosomal recessive with incomplete penetrance (risk based DNA test) Chesapeake Bay Retriever
French Bulldog
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
Rough Collie
Smooth Collie
DP-LHX3 (pituitary dwarfism)
Autosomal recessive Tibetan Terrier
EF (Episodic falling) Autosomal recessive Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
EIC (Exercise-induced collapse) Autosomal recessive for most breeds but incomplete penetrance for Curly Coated Retrievers Clumber Spaniel
Curly Coated Retriever
Labrador Retriever
Smooth Collie
ENM (Hereditary necrotising myelopathy) Autosomal recessive Kooikerhondje
FN (Familial nephropathy) Autosomal recessive Cocker Spaniel
EOPRA (early oneset progressive retinal atrophy) Autsomal recessive Portuguese Water Dog
Fuco. (Fucosidosis) Autosomal recessive English Springer Spaniel
FVIID (Factor VII deficiency) Autosomal recessive Beagle
Glanzmann’s Thrombasthenia Autosomal recessive Otterhound
GM1 (Gangliosidosis) Autosomal recessive Portuguese Water Dog
GN (Greyhound neuropathy) Autosomal recessive Greyhound
Gonio (Severe goniodysgenesis and glaucoma risk) Autosomal recessive Border Collie
GR-PRA1 (Golden Retriever progressive retinal atrophy 1) Autosomal recessive Golden Retriever
GR-PRA2 (Golden Retriever progressive retinal atrophy 2) Autosomal recessive Golden Retriever
GSDII (Glycogen storage disease type II (Pompe’s disease)) Autosomal recessive Finnish Lapphund
HC-HSF4 (Hereditary cataracts) Autosomal recessive/ Autosomal dominant Australian Shepherd
Boston Terrier
French Bulldog
Staffordshire Bull Terrier
HCA (Hereditary cerebellar ataxia) Autosomal recessive Norwegian Buhund
HFH (Hereditary footpad hyperkeratosis) Autosomal recessive Irish Terrier
HNPK (Hereditary nasal parakeratosis) Autosomal recessive Labrador Retriever
HUU (Hyperuricosuria) Autosomal recessive Bulldog
Dalmatian
Hungarian Wire Haire Vizsla
Large Munsterlander
Russian Black Terrier
ICT-A (Ichthyosis) Autosomal recessive Golden Retriever
IGS (Imerslun-Gräsbeck syndrome/Cobalamin malabsorption) Autosomal recessive Beagle
Border Collie
IMGD (Inherited myopathy of Great Danes) Autosomal recessive Great Dane
JADD (Juvenile Addison’s disease) Autosomal recessive with incomplete penetrance (risk based DNA test) Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
JE (Juvenile epilepsy) Autosomal recessive Lagotto Romagnolo
JLPP (Juvenile laryngeal paralysis & Polyneuropathy) Autosomal recessive Rottweiler
Russian Black Terrier
JME (Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy) Autosomal recessive Rhodesian Ridgeback
L-2HGA (L-2-hydroxyglutaric aciduria) Autosomal recessive Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Lafora’s disease Autosomal recessive Basset Hound
Beagle
Dachshund (Miniature Wire Haired)
LEMP (Leukoencephalomyelopathy) Autosomal recessive with incomplete penetrance
Leonberger
LEMP-2 (Leukoencephalomyelopathy) Autosomal recessive Rottweiler
LOA (Late onset ataxia) Autosomal recessive Jack Russell Terrier
Parsons Russell Terrier
LPN1 (Leonberger polyneuropathy) Autosomal recessive Leonberger
LPN2 (Leonberger polyneuropathy) Autosomal dominant Leonberger
LSD (Lysosomal storage disease) Autosomal recessive Lagotto Romagnolo
MAC (Mycobacterium avium complex) Autosomal recessive Miniature Schnauzer
MCD (Macular corneal dystrophy)
Autosomal recessive Labrador Retriever
MDR1 (Multiple drug sensitivity) Autosomal recessive Australian Shepherd
Border Collie
Old English Sheepdog
Rough Collie
Shetland Sheepdog
Smooth Collie
MLS (Musladin-Leuke syndrome) Autosomal recessive Beagle
MPSIIIB (Mucopolysaccharidosis Type IIIB) Autosomal recessive Schipperke
NAD (Neuroaxonal dystrophy) Autosomal recessive Papillon
Spanish Water Dog
NCCD (Neonatal cerebellar cortical degeneration) Autosomal recessive Beagle
NCL5 (Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis) Autosomal recessive Border Collie
NCL8 (Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis) Autosomal recessive English Setter
NCL12 (Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis) Autosomal recessive Tibetan Terrier
OC (Osteochondrodysplasia) Autosomal recessive Miniature Poodle
Pap-PRA1 (Progressive retinal atrophy – Papillons) Autosomal recessive Papillon
PCD (Primary ciliary syskinesia) Autosomal recessive Old English Sheepdog
PDE (Pug Dog Encephalitis) Autosomal recessive with incomplete penetrance (Risk Based DNA test) Pug
PDP-1 (Pyruvate dehydrogenase phosphate 1 deficiency) Autosomal recessive Clumber Spaniel
Smooth Collie
PFK (Phosphofructokinase deficiency) Autosomal recessive American Cocker English Springer Spaniel
PHPT (Primary hyperparathyroidism) Autosomal dominant Keeshond
PLL (Primary lens luxation) Autosomal recessive Australian Cattle Dog
Bull Terrier
Bull Terrier (miniature)
Chinese Crested
Jack Russell Terrier
Lancashire Heeler
Parsons Russell Terrier
Sealyham Terrier
Tibetan Terrier
Welsh Terrier
POAG (Primary open angle glaucoma) Autosomal recessive Basset Hound
Norwegian Elkhound
Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen
Shar Pei
POAG/PLL (Primary open angle glaucoma / Primary lens luxation) Autosomal recessive Shar Pei
PRA (cord1) (Progressive retinal atrophy) Autosomal recessive Dachshund (Miniature Long Haired)
Dachshund (Miniature Smooth Haired)
Dachshund (Miniature Wire Haired)
English Springer Spaniel
PRA (crd3) (Progressive retinal atrophy) Autosomal recessive Glen of Imaal Terrier
PRA (rcd1) (Progressive retinal atrophy) Autosomal recessive Irish Setter
PRA (rcd2) (Progressive retinal atrophy) Autosomal recessive Rough Collie
Smooth Collie
PRA (rcd3) (Progressive retinal atrophy) Autosomal recessive Welsh Cardigan Corgi
PRA (rcd4) (Progressive retinal atrophy) Autosomal recessive English Setter
Gordon Setter
Irish Setter
Standard Poodle
Tibetan Terrier
PRA3 (Progressive retinal atrophy) Autosomal recessive Tibetan Spaniel
Tibetan Terrier
PRA4 (Progressive retinal atrophy) Autosomal recessive Lhasa Apso
PRA5 (Progressive retinal atrophy) Autosomal recessive Giant Schnauzer
prcd-PRA (Progressive rod cone degeneration – Progressive retinal atrophy) Autosomal recessive American Cocker Spaniel
Australian Cattle Dog
Australian Shepherd
Barbet
Chesapeake Bay Retriever
Chinese Crested
Cocker Spaniel
Entlebucher Mountain Dog
Finnish Lapphund
Giant Schnauzer
Labrador Retriever
Norwegian Elkhound
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
Poodle (Miniature)
Poodle (Standard)
Poodle (Toy)
Portuguese Water Dog
Spanish Water Dog
Raine’s synd Autosomal recessive Border Collie
Retinopathy Autosomal recessive Swedish Vallhund
Sal-NCL (Saluki Neruronal ceroid lipofuscinosis) Autosomal recessive Saluki
SCA (Spinocerebellar ataxia) Autosomal recessive Jack Russell Terrier
Parsons Russell Terrier
SD2 (Skeletal dysplasia 2) Autosomal recessive Labrador Retriever
SLEM (Spongiform leuco-encephalo-myelopathy) Autosomal recessive Border Terrier
SN (Sensory neuropathy) Autosomal recessive Border Collie
STGD (Stargardt disease)
Autosomal recessive Labrador Retriever
TNS (Trapped neutrophil syndrome) Autosomal recessive Border Collie
vWD type I (von Willebrand disease) Autosomal recessive Dobermann
Manchester Terrier
Papillon
Poodle (Standard)
vWD type II (von Willebrand disease) Autosomal recessive German Wirehaired Pointer
vWD type III (von Willebrand disease) Autosomal recessive Kooikerhondje
Shetland Sheepdog
XLHN (X-linked hereditary nephritis X-linked Samoyed
XLPRA (X-linked progressive retinal atrophy type 1) X-linked Samoyed

Breeding advice and understanding what your dog’s results mean

If you’re thinking of breeding from your dog and want to know how to avoid producing puppies affected by the condition you’ve tested for, or if you just want to understand what you’re dog’s DNA test results mean, you can find out more on our breeding advice and DNA test results page.

Find a dog’s DNA test results

Our Health Test Results Finder can help you find the results for any dog on our records that has been screened for the DNA tests and screening schemes that we record.

Lists of dogs with clear, carrier or affected status can be found under the health section of each breed entry on our Breeds A to Z.

Collective results for activity dogs can be found below.

Breed-specific DNA test results statistics

Statistics on the number of dogs scored by a DNA test and their results can be accessed in our DNA testing breed-specific information.

What is a DNA Profile?

A DNA profile gives you a unique genetic code for your dog – a little like your dog’s very own genetic fingerprint. This allows your dog’s DNA to be accurately identified and can be used for parentage analysis. Unlike other types of identification, a DNA profile stays the same throughout your dog’s entire life and cannot be lost, manipulated or destroyed.

Due to our laboratory’s cutting-edge technology, The Kennel Club’s DNA Testing Services offers the industry’s gold-standard SNP DNA profile.

How we record DNA tests

Recording results for a DNA test is a collaboration between us, the breed clubs and the DNA testing facility. For each of the DNA tests that we record, the breeder/owner agrees for the result of their tested dog to be sent independently to us by the testing laboratory. We then record the result on our registration database, and these are published:

  • In the next available Breed Records Supplement
  • On our Health Test Results Finder

Laboratories we record and publish the results from

We have a criteria that we request DNA testing laboratories meet to enable us to record their results, helping to maintain and protect the integrity of results that appear on a dog’s record.

We strongly advise that customers ensure their chosen laboratory is included on our list below if they wish for us to record and publish the results. Results from laboratories not included on this list will not be recorded.

Read the full list of UK laboratories
  • Animal DNA Diagnostics (UK)
  • Animal Genetics (UK)
  • Canine Genetic Testing (UK)
  • Laboklin (UK)
  • Pinmoore Animal Laboratory Services (UK)
  • The Kennel Club’s DNA Testing Services (UK)
Read the full list of overseas laboratories
  • Alfort School of Veterinary Medicine(France)
  • Antagene(France)
  • Auburn University(USA)
  • Bochum University(Germany)
  • Cornell University(USA)
  • Embark(USA)
  • FERAGEN Genetic Laboratory(Austria and Germany)
  • Genetic Technologies Ltd (Animal Network)- Australia
  • Genindexe(France)
  • Genomia(Czech Republic)
  • HealthGene(Canada)
  • Hospital for Sick Children(Canada)
  • Michigan State University(USA)
  • MyDogDNA(Finland)
  • Orthopedic Foundation for Animals(USA)
  • Paw Print Genetics(USA)
  • PennGEN Laboratories(USA)
  • University College, Dublin(Ireland)
  • University of Bern(Switzerland)
  • University of California – Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory(USA)
  • University of Minnesota – Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory(USA)
  • University of New South Wales(Australia)
  • University of Pennsylvania(USA)
  • University of Utrecht(Holland)
  • Van Haeringen(Holland)
  • Veterinary Diagnostics Centre (DDC)(USA)
  • VetGen (Paw Print Genetics)(USA)

How we recognize new DNA tests

We’re happy to consider a breed club’s request to add a new DNA test to our list of recommended tests or tests available and would normally need a formal request from the relevant breed health coordinator, or a majority request from the breed clubs. In most cases, the test would need to be run by a laboratory already recognized by us. All DNA tests must be able to record a definitive result for an individual dog, and must be based on robust science. We continue to work alongside breed clubs, breed health coordinators and canine health professionals in a collaborative effort to improve the health of pedigree dogs.

Where can I find out more about DNA testing?

You can find out more about DNA testing, genetics and avoiding inbreeding in a number of films available on The Kennel Club Academy.