Epilepsy is the disorder most breeders worry about - even if it is not the most prevalent condition in those breeds.


AHT’s pioneering genome project will shape canine genetics research

A pioneering genome project has highlighted epilepsy as a major concern among dog breeders.

Launched by the Animal Health Trust (AHT) at the beginning of 2016, the Give a Dog a Genome project aims to create the UK’s largest canine genome bank to better understand the basis of canine genetic diseases.  


As part of the project, breed health coordinators were asked to discuss the top three health concerns with their breed health community and report back to the AHT on current evidence of the concern.

The most common health concern listed by the breeders was epilepsy. Self-reported from 66 of the 75 dog breeds involved in the project, the condition is the disorder most breeders worry about - even if it is not the most prevalent condition in those breeds.


The second most common health concern listed was hereditary cataracts (listed by seven of the breeds). This was followed by progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), hyperthyroidism, hip dysplasia, lymphoma and patella luxation (listed by six breeds) as well as autoimmune disorders and cardiomyopathy (listed by five breeds.)


“This information has been really important in helping ensure we’re working with each breed to select a dog whose whole genome sequence data will have the most potential to support existing and new genetics research projects - both at the AHT and elsewhere - and to make sure we are focusing our efforts in the right places,” said Dr Cathryn Mellersh, head of canine genetics at the AHT.


“It’s been encouraging to see that we’re already trying to tackle some of the biggest concerns; epilepsy and hereditary cataracts, and hope to start looking at other disorders highlighted here once we’ve started analysing the whole genome sequence data of these 75 breeds, which is in itself going to be no easy task!”


Aimee Llewellyn-Zaidi, head of health and research at the Kennel Club adds: “It is interesting to see which inherited disorders may be of concern to breeders and compare these to which disorders are most prevalent in the respective breeds to get an overall picture of a breed’s health.


“The breeds that have submitted their concerns are those that are involved in the pioneering Give a Dog a Genome project and they clearly care deeply about their breeds. We look forward to seeing the positive impact the project will have on the future health of purebred dogs, by helping to eliminate inherited conditions in our much-loved breeds.”