June 2019 marks ten years since the Kennel Club and the Animal Health Trust formally agreed to work together to improve the lives of dogs. Over these 10 years the partnership has gone on to benefit thousands of dogs.
By working together, we have hugely accelerated research into canine disease. Over the last ten years, through the partnership, 20 DNA tests have been developed for more than 50 breeds of dog. Using these, 60,000 dogs have been tested at the Animal Health Trust, which has resulted in more than 164,000 hereditarily clear puppies being born free from debilitating or blinding inherited conditions.The partnership has also revealed the impact DNA testing is having on disease. Scientists looked at data collected 10 years after DNA tests were developed for eight diseases in eight breeds: Labrador Retrievers, Parson Russell Terriers, Gordon Setters, Irish Setters, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Miniature Bull Terriers, Cocker Spaniels and Staffordshire Bull Terriers. Results show that, thanks to responsible breeders using DNA testing, frequency of disease mutation has reduced by a staggering 90%.
CEO at the Animal Health Trust, said: “These achievements are testament to how The Kennel Club and Animal Health Trust partnership is significantly improving the lives of dogs. It demonstrates the real-life, positive impact applied research has, and how, in just one decade, it is already benefitting thousands of dogs.”
Chairman of the Kennel Club Charitable Trust said; “Over the last ten years, the Kennel Club, through its charitable arm the Kennel Club Charitable Trust, has donated nearly £5 million dedicated to canine genetic research with the Animal Health Trust to help improve the lives of dogs. We are absolutely delighted at the results of the work that the Animal Health Trust achieves and have committed further funding of £810,000 over the next three years. We look forward to many more years working together.”
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