Weatherbys, a business that has been dedicated to the Thoroughbred for nearly 250 years, has announced a unique and exciting partnership with the Kennel Club - the largest organisation in the UK devoted to dog health, welfare and training. The Kennel Club is also the UK's largest registration database for both pedigree and crossbreed dogs, so the similarities between the two businesses is obvious.
The new partnership will provide a simplified process for canine genetic heath testing, which will benefit both dog breeders and owners, helping to eradicate some of the most concerning genetic disorders facing certain breeds.
CombiBreed™ health tests packages simplify the process of genetic testing by using a single cheek swab to check a dog’s DNA for markers associated with a number of different inherited disorders.
By making genetic testing more accessible, it will help responsible breeders work towards eradicating these conditions and will encourage first-time breeders to make the health of the puppies they breed a priority. Results from these tests will automatically be registered on the dog’s record, and will be freely available on the Kennel Club website, allowing puppy buyers to check if the dog they are thinking of buying has come from health-tested parents.
Currently available for 13 pedigree breeds, breeders will be able to order breed specific CombiBreed™ health tests packages directly from the Kennel Club Shop, as well as at Kennel Club shows and events, with the product officially launching at the Game Fair today (Friday, July 26). CombiBreed™ health tests packages for each breed can be ordered by visiting the Kennel Club shop here.
Priced at £135 (with a ten percent discount for Kennel Club Assured Breeders at £121.50), CombiBreed™ allows breeders cost-effective access to the most impactful genetic health tests without the need to carry out each one individually, with results that are easy to interpret
At present, the packages are available for the Labrador Retriever, French Bulldog, Cocker Spaniel, English Springer Spaniel, Golden Retriever, German Shepherd, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Beagle, Border Collie, Rough Collie, Chinese Crested and the Australian Shepherd.
The introduction of these new packages follows research, carried out earlier this year, which revealed that the number of pedigree dogs at risk of often painful and debilitating inherited diseases is being dramatically reduced by responsible breeders, thanks to the use of DNA tests. Researchers from the Kennel Club and the Animal Health Trust found that approximately ten years after each DNA test became available, the gene mutations that caused the diseases had decreased in each breed by a staggering 90 per cent or more.
Dr Tom Lewis, Kennel Club Genetics Research Manager, said, “Our partnership with Weatherbys is a crucial step in improving dog health and will allow breeders to help positively impact future generations by ensuring dogs are health-tested before breeding.
“The genetic tests that we have included in the Weatherbys CombiBreed™ packages are the result of work by the Kennel Club and Weatherbys to identify the most significant genetic diseases in individual breeds.
“The benefits of providing all relevant tests for each breed mean that puppy buyers can also feel assured that their puppy has been bred by a responsible breeder, whilst simplifying the process for breeders themselves.”
Nick Craven, Communications Director for Weatherbys, said, “We are delighted to strengthen our relationship with the Kennel Club through the development of genetic testing packages to the most popular dog breeds in the UK.
“Before, breeders had to navigate numerous laboratories to get results and interpret them to make informed breeding decisions.
“Our CombiBreed™ packages simplify this process. They are easy to purchase from the Kennel Club, the results are straightforward to understand, and they cost less than working with multiple labs.”
The partnership between the Kennel Club and Weatherbys brings together a combined heritage of nearly 400 years dedicated to animal registration and animal welfare, and through the provision of CombiBreed™ the two organisations are strengthening their legacy by continuing to improve the health and welfare of animals.
For more information on CombiBreed™ health tests packages visit the Kennel Club website.