The Kennel Club has approved a new DNA testing scheme for Progressive Retinal Atrophy 3 (PRA3) in Tibetan Spaniels following consultation with the breed’s Breed Health Coordinator, on behalf of the breed clubs.

In the UK, this test is offered by the Animal Health Trust (www.aht.org.uk) and further details can be obtained directly from them.

Copies of all future test certificate results issued by the AHT will be sent directly to the Kennel Club, where the test result will be added to the dog’s registration details which will trigger the publication of the test result in the next available Breed Records Supplement.

The result will appear on any new registration certificate issued for the dog, on the registration certificates of any future progeny of the dog, and also 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.

If the owner includes the original registration certificate for the dog (not a copy) then a new registration certificate will be issued, with the DNA result on it, free of charge.  Please send any DNA test certificates to Health & Breeder Services, The Kennel Club, 1 – 5 Clarges Street, Piccadilly, London W1J 8AB or scan and email copies of the certificates to hbs@thekennelclub.org.uk.

The Kennel Club continues to work alongside breed clubs and breed health coordinators, in a collaborative effort to improve the health of pedigree dogs.  The Kennel Club is happy to accommodate a club's request to add a new DNA test to its lists and would normally need a formal request from the breed's health coordinator or a majority request from the breed clubs.