The Kennel Club/British Small Animal Veterinary Association Scientific Committee joined forces with scientists in the Epidemiology Unit at the Animal Health Trust to carry out a nationwide survey of UK purebred dogs and, with the help of owners, to identify important health conditions in UK dog breeds during 2004. The Kennel Club Charitable Trust committed substantial funds to support this project, which could only succeed with the help of owners.

Questionnaires were sent to the numerically largest club of each breed, and secretaries were asked to send them out to their members. Only the largest club of each breed was selected to try and avoid duplication, and also to limit the vast number, and therefore cost, of the 70,000 forms needed.

The questionnaire was divided in different sections, concentrating on different types of information. There were questions on the health of the owner’s dogs, breeding, causes of death and birth defects in any puppies.

Breed clubs have received detailed feedback on the results of this survey where breed response rate was at least 15%, which should greatly assist with the recognition and control of important conditions in specific breeds. Data gathered from this survey will provide baseline information against which the success of future control schemes can be measured.

 Example questionnaire

 Example appendix

Results of the survey are now available:

Summary Results for all breeds

Individual breed results are posted here.  If you have any queries related to this survey then please email  info@thekennelclub.org.uk.

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Dog Health and DNA 

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