News

Variant strongly associated with primary hyperparathyroidism in the Keeshond breed has been published

Posted on | by Canine Genetics Centre

In March of 2025 Canine Genetic Testing launched a DNA test for a variant associated with Primary Hyperparathyroidism in Keeshonds. And now our peer-reviewed paper, describing details of the mutation, has been published in the journal Animal Genetics (1).

Wade CM, Burmeister LM, Skelly BJ, McLaughlin B, Pettitt L, Atwater DZ, Tallmadge RL, Lejeune M, Lindblad-Toh K, Mellersh CS. Autosomal dominant primary hyperparathyroidism in the Keeshond dog breed is strongly associated with a missense variant in sirtuin-6. Anim Genet. 2025 Dec;56(6):e70056. doi: 10.1111/age.70056.

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CAGT offers full KC Good/Best practice bundles to 14 different breeds

Posted on | by Canine Genetics Centre

Everyone wants the puppy that they buy to live a long and healthy life. And scrupulous, health-conscious dog breeders feel the same way; the last thing they want is to breed puppies that will become sick. One way that breeders can maximise the chances that the puppies they breed will be healthy is to health-test potential parents, prior to breeding. Health tests take the form of clinical tests, such as hip scoring or an eye examination, and genetic tests, where the DNA of the dog is analysed. Continue reading →

Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)

Posted on | by Canine Genetics Centre

Canine inherited eye diseases (IEDs) affect over 160 breeds of dog and are caused by variants located in over 60 different genes. Almost half of these genes cause inherited and progressive disorders specific to the retina, a group of diseases known as progressive retinal atrophies, or PRAs. Continue reading →

Cathryn attends WSAVA congress in Rio

Posted on | by Canine Genetics Centre

Dr Cathryn Mellersh, who Heads the Canine Genetics Centre (CGC), has been working in the field of canine genetics for more than 30 years. During that time she has, inevitably, amassed a lot of expertise that she puts to effective use both within the CGC and beyond. Cathryn is a member of the Hereditary Disease Committee (HDC) of the (WSAVA) and last week she travelled to Rio de Janeiro, alongside six other members of the committee, to attend the 50th WSAVA congress. The committee includes veterinarians and geneticists from around the world, each contributing specific canine and/or feline expertise. Continue reading →

Cambridge Vet School – One big research family!

Posted on | by Canine Genetics Centre

The Canine Genetics Centre is proud to be a part of one of the UK’s leading Veterinary schools. Cambridge Vet school not only matriculates incredible vets year upon year, but they are also at the forefront of some of the best research that is currently happening in Veterinary science. Earlier this week, we were honoured to share some of our own research and to learn about other inspiring projects during the department’s research afternoon. Continue reading →

New disease mutations can occur in any dog, of any breed, at any time (and probably will)!

Posted on | by Canine Genetics Centre

DNA mutates – that’s what it does. If we go back 30,000 years there weren’t any domestic dogs, just wolves. But through a process of DNA mutation and selection humans have created hundreds of different breeds of dog, with all their distinct body sizes, shapes and behaviours. None of this would have been possible if DNA didn’t mutate. Continue reading →

A novel disease in the Segugio Italiano dog breed – our search for the causal variant

Posted on | by Canine Genetics Centre

Our research project dedicated to inherited eye disease (IED) in dogs, CRIEDD, often sees us work in close collaboration with veterinary ophthalmologists. When they see novel diseases, or a disease emerging in a new breed of dog, they will send us DNA samples so that we can work together to identify the genetic cause. Continue reading →

The Canine Genetics Centre team never gives up – an update on our Wobbly Welshies research

Posted on | by Canine Genetics Centre

In November of 2024 we shared details of research that the Canine Genetics Centre had started, in collaboration with dog breeders and clinicians in Australia, to identify the genetic cause of an apparently novel inherited neurological disorder in Welsh Springer Spaniels. Continue reading →

When your life passions and job align – meet our resident “crazy dog lady!

Posted on | by Canine Genetics Centre

This week we turn our attention to another of our valuable team members, our Bioinformatician and “crazy dog lady”, Ellen Schofield. Ellen joined our group back in 2016 when we were still based at the Animal Health Trust and moved with the team to Cambridge in 2021. We talked to Ellen about her work, and learn about how she came to find a job that, simply put, seems made for her! Continue reading →