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Getting started with health testing
How to use health testing to reduce the risk of inherited diseases in dogs and breed happy, healthy puppies.
Are you thinking of breeding from your dog?
Breeding puppies can be a wonderfully rewarding experience. But before anything else, it's important to consider how you can give these puppies the best chance at a healthy, happy, active life, free from chronic pain and disease. That’s where health testing comes in.
Health testing can seem intimidating at first as there are lots of health tests available. It can be hard to know which ones are recommended for your dog breed but this page will give you an overview of why and how to health screen your dog to provide peace of mind both for you and for puppy buyers.
Which health tests does my dog need?
Every dog breed, including crossbreeds, is at risk of inherited disease. However there are some breeds that are more commonly affected by certain conditions than others.
For example, Labrador Retrievers have a higher rate of hip dysplasia, and English Springer Spaniels are more often affected by inherited eye disease than other dog breeds.
The Kennel Club Breeds A to Z offers helpful information and recommended health tests for every dog breed.
Over 8,000 dogs had their hips scored in 2023
Over 6,500 dogs had their elbows graded in 2023
Over 16,000 dogs had eye examinations in 2023
Health tests for dogs
Hip scoring involves using X-rays to screen for signs of abnormalities (irregular or poorly shaped hip joints) caused by hip dysplasia. Hip dysplasia is a common inherited orthopaedic problem that means one or both of the hip joints develop abnormally.
Hip scoring is provided by the BVA/KC Canine Health Schemes.
Elbow grading involves using X-rays to screen for signs of abnormalities (irregular or poorly shaped elbow joints) caused by elbow dysplasia. Elbow dysplasia is a common inherited orthopaedic problem in dogs where the elbow doesn’t develop properly.
Elbow grading is provided by the BVA/KC Canine Health Schemes.
There are many types of eye disease that affect dogs. Many of these conditions can have serious effects on health and welfare, causing pain, blindness, or the need for lifelong medication.
Testing your dog’s eyes will allow you to take action to tackle disease progression and make informed decisions around breeding.
Eye testing is provided by the BVA/KC Canine Health Schemes, with a panel of 38 expert veterinary ophthalmologists around the UK.
CM/SM screening uses MRI scans to check for signs of CM (Chiari-like malformation) and SM (syringomyelia), which impact the skull and brain. This condition has been shown to be inherited in the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Griffon Bruxellois and is suspected to be inherited in the King Charles Spaniel.
CM/SM screening is provided by the BVA/KC Canine Health Schemes.
BAER (Brainstem auditory evoked response) testing is a hearing test commonly used on puppies which can also be carried out for adult dogs.
There are several BAER test centres around the United Kingdom.
DNA tests are a way to understand your dog’s genetics. These tests help to predict 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.
DNA testing services are provided by the Kennel Club.
The IVDD Scheme uses X-rays to assess Dachshunds for signs of intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), a condition that is caused by a gradual deterioration of parts of the spine.
The IVDD Scheme is provided by the Kennel Club in partnership with participating centres around the United Kingdom.
Respiratory function grading involves assessing dogs with short snouts and flat faces, known as brachycephalic breeds, for a breathing problem known as BOAS (brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome).
Bulldogs, French Bulldogs and Pugs are assessed under the Respiratory Function Grading Scheme which is run in partnership between The Kennel Club and the University of Cambridge.
Request leaflets for your vet practice
Order our Getting started with health testing leaflets, A3 posters or request our digital resources pack to support conversations with your clients about breeding responsibly.
Explore our schemes
Need more help?
Visit our CHS help centre to see answers to frequently asked questions.
If you can't find your answer there, you can contact our expert in-house CHS team via email: [email protected]