The Kennel Club has approved a new official DNA testing scheme for Chronic Degenerative Radiculomyelopathy - DM (CDRM) - in the German Shepherd Dog, following consultation with the German Shepherd Dog Breed Council.
To find out which laboratories the Kennel Club is able to record results from, and which labs will send results direct to the Kennel Club, please refer to our Breeds A to Z.
Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary, said: "The Kennel Club is constantly reviewing DNA testing schemes in conjunction with breed clubs to ensure that breeders are supported with resources which help them to make responsible breeding decisions.
"After consultations with the German Shepherd Dog Breed Council, which began towards the end of last year, we are pleased to be announcing this new DNA test for the breed.
"The Kennel Club continues to work alongside breed clubs and breed health coordinators, in a collaborative effort to improve the health of pedigree dogs and we are happy to accommodate a club's request to add a new DNA test to its lists. We would normally need a formal request from the breed's health coordinator or a majority request from the breed clubs."
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. The result will appear on any new registration certificate issued for the dog and on the registration certificates of any future progeny of the dog, 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.
If the owner includes the original registration certificate for the dog (not a copy) then a new registration certificate will be issued, with the DNA result on it, free of charge. DNA test certificates should be sent to Health & Breeder Services, The Kennel Club, Clarges Street, London, W1J 8AB or scanned and emailed to us.
