The schemes have been approved following consultation with the breed's health coordinator.

The schemes include a test for progressive retinal atrophy.

The Kennel Club has approved two new DNA testing schemes for Samoyeds.

The schemes are for X-linked progressive retinal atrophy 1 (XLPRA1) and X-linked hereditary nephritis (XLHN) and follow consultation with the breed's health coordinator on behalf of the breed clubs.

XLPRA1 is an inherited condition of the retina caused by a faulty gene on the X-chromosome.

Affected dogs experience problems with their vision that gradually worsen as their photoreceptors start to break down. The condition may affect some individuals more than others, but it can lead to total blindness. 

XLHN is an inherited condition of the kidneys that causes them to become inflamed and stop working correctly. Also triggered by a faulty gene on the X-chromosome, it can lead to kidney failure and death, often at a young age, in both male and female dogs. 

A Kennel Club spokesperson said: “Test results will be added to the dog’s registration details which will trigger the publication of the result in the next available Breed Records Supplement 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. DNA test certificates should be scanned and emailed to health.results@thekennelclub.org.uk”.

More information about the DNA tests and which laboratories The Kennel Club records results from is available at thekennelclub.org.uk/xlpra1 (XLPRA1) and thekennelclub.org.uk/xlhn (XLHN).