Canine Genetics Centre - Research and DNA Testing

13/01/2026

Do you breed Irish Setters... 🤔

Did you know that that you can buy ALL the required DNA tests to meet the Royal Kennel Club health standard GOOD and BEST practices for breeding your Irish Setter right here in the UK through CAGT?

🧬 You can also build your own test bundle—selecting only the DNA tests you need—while adding additional tests such as DM. This flexible approach ensures both value and peace of mind—all in one.

https://www.cagt.co.uk/product/irish-setter-bundle/

CAGT in a small DNA testing entity based at the University of Cambridge Vet School that works alongside the researchers at the Canine Genetics Centre - Research and DNA Testing. 100% of profits are reinvested into future research at the CGC, so please use CAGT where you can for your DNA testing needs!

12/01/2026

10/01/2026

🎉 Happy New Year to all our friends, supporters and followers! We hope that 2026 will be a fantastic year for all.

As we start back analysing all our canine data we thought we'd take a quick look back at some of the articles that we published towards the end of 2025. This month's newsletter showcases our research into PRA and epilepsy as well as hi-lighting a recent paper we published on PHPT in the Keeshond breed. We've also included the information on how CAGT, our DNA testing facility, can be your "one-stop-shop" for all your Royal Kennel Club GOOD/BEST practice DNA tests - you can even tailor your bundles to just get the tests each dog needs!

https://www.canine-genetics.org.uk/newsletter/january-2026

If you fancy subscribing, pop over to our and you will receive future issues straight to your email inbox - https://canine-genetics.eo.page/2w2jf

02/01/2026

Happy New Year to all our friends, followers & supporters... we hope that 2026 will be a year for us to continuing building. We have papers in the pipeline, samples heading off for sequencing and data to interrogate. So here's hoping for a productive year and more dogs helped.

For now, we take a look back to the beginning of December when we hosted the first Companion Animal Genetic Health (CAGH) conference here in Cambridge. We welcomed fellow researchers in the fields of dog, cat & horse genetics from the UK, mainland Europe and the USA to present their current work. After all, scientific research is all about discovering new things and sharing those ideas with others!

Read more about the event in our news article - https://www.canine-genetics.org.uk/companion-animal-genetic-health-2025-cambridge/

29/12/2025

🎄 A holiday message from Dr. Cathryn Mellersh... 🎉

🙏 Thank you to everyone who has helped support the Canine Genetics Centre - Research and DNA Testing during 2025.

Whether you have purchased a DNA test, become a Friend of the CGC or made a one-off donation, we appreciate ALL of you.

Our financial position is much improved compared to where we were 2 years ago. But we are not yet secure for the foreseeable future. So please keep on supporting us so that we can continue the work that we do.

Happy holidays and I hope 2026 is kind to us all 🎊

24/12/2025

🎄 It’s the season for giving - can you give the gift of Friendship this Christmas by becoming a Friend of the Canine Genetics Centre? 🎁

By becoming a Friend of the CGC you will make a real difference to our ability to keep investigating inherited diseases that affect our best friends.

Everybody who becomes a Friend in December will receive a lapel pin for themselves and a bandana for their furry friend, as well as a chance to nominate somebody they know for the 2026 CGC Canine Health and Welfare Award.

Check out our blog post for more information, and THANK YOU! - https://www.canine-genetics.org.uk/can-you-be-our-friend-this-holiday-season/

17/12/2025

Have you seen the news? The future of Cambridge’s veterinary school and the UK’s pandemic preparedness is under threat.

We are fully supporting the campaign. If you can help show your support or if you know someone whose life, animal, or career has been touched by our vet school... please take a moment to add your voice today.

👉 savethevetschool.co.uk

Together we will fight this decision!

16/12/2025

Do you breed Tibetan Terriers... 🤔

Did you know that that you can buy ALL the required DNA tests to meet The Kennel Club health standard GOOD and BEST practices for breeding your Tibetan Terrier right here in the UK through CAGT?

🧬 You can also build your own test bundle—selecting only the DNA tests you need—while benefiting from discounted rates on additional tests such as PRCD. This flexible approach ensures both value and peace of mind—all in one.

https://www.cagt.co.uk/product/tibetan-terrier-bundle/

CAGT in a small DNA testing entity based at the that works alongside the researchers at the . 100% of profits are reinvested into future research at the CGC, so please use CAGT where you can for your DNA testing needs!

12/12/2025

🎄 It’s the season for giving - can you give the gift of Friendship this Christmas by becoming a Friend of the Canine Genetics Centre?

By becoming a Friend of the CGC you will make a real difference to our ability to keep investigating inherited diseases that affect our best friends.

During 2025 we have developed four new DNA tests that are already helping to prevent future generation of dogs from becoming sick. All were funded in part by donations from our Friends.

Everybody who becomes a Friend in December will receive a lapel pin for themselves and a bandana for their furry friend, as well as a chance to nominate somebody they know for the 2026 CGC Canine Health and Welfare Award.

To read how your Friendship will make a difference please click to read this week's article - https://www.canine-genetics.org.uk/can-you-be-our-friend-this-holiday-season/

10/12/2025

🎄 Holiday Notice for CAGT Customers 🎄

We’ll be running with reduced staff in the week before Christmas and will be closed from Mon 22 Dec to Mon 5 Jan 2026.

Please note: Samples received after 19 Dec may not be tested until the new year. To avoid delays, we encourage customers to submit samples as early as possible.

Thanks for your understanding, and happy holidays! ✨

09/12/2025

Day 1 at the Companion Animal Genetic Health (CAGH) conference hosted here in Cambridge saw 3 of our researchers presenting.

👀 Kat gave a talk on some of her recent work on our inherited eye disease programme.

👂 Our PhD student, Bruno, talked about the genetics behind a vestibular disorder in Welsh Springer Spaniels.

🦴 Finally, Ellen presented a flash talk and a poster on an Osteogenesis Imperfecta case from the USA.

All three talks were well received and we are very proud of the diversity of work these guys showed from the CGC.