Advice for your breed
Find out which health tests or schemes are relevant to your breed in our Breeds A to Z. These recommendations are suggested by breed clubs and are approved by The Kennel Club's committees.
Quick links to health resources
- Health Test Results Finder - look up the DNA test and health scheme records, EBV (where relevant) and COI for any Kennel Club registered dog
- Inbreeding Coefficient (CoI) - use our calculators to check how closely related two potential mates are
- Breeds A to Z - find information about any breed, including the health schemes that breeders should be using
New to dog breeding?
Specific health screening advice
There are a number of steps breeders can and should take to increase the chances of breeding happy and healthy puppies. Breeding advice and information on how to use a range of health tests and screening schemes can be found below.
- CM/SM screening scheme (BVA/KC)
- Conformation
- Deafness testing (BAER testing)
- DNA testing
- Elbow dysplasia screening scheme (BVA/KC)
- Estimated breeding values (for hip and elbow dysplasia)
- Eye screening scheme (BVA/KC)
- Genetic diversity - managing and maintaining
- Gonioscopy (BVA/KC/ISDS)
- Heart scheme for Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (KC)
- Hip dysplasia screening scheme (BVA/KC)
- Inbreeding calculators (COIs)
- Inherited conditions where no test is currently available
- IVDD health scheme for Dachshunds
- Respiratory Function Grading Scheme (KC and University of Cambridge)
Look up health results for other dogs
You can find the results for any DNA tests or screening schemes recorded by us on our Health Test Results Finder.
Find a health testing clinics near you
You can find a list of health testing clinics for a number of different screening schemes.
Who can I talk to about health issues in my breed?
If you have any concerns about a particular health condition in your breed, you can speak to your vet, or you could contact your breed health co-ordinator. Breed health co-ordinators are individuals working on behalf of breed clubs and councils who are advocates for the health and welfare of their chosen breed.
You can contact your breed health co-ordinator on the health section of your breeds entry on the Breeds A to Z.
Alternatively if you have a general question, you can contact The Kennel Club's health team.
More information
Why health screen before breeding?
Making balanced breeding decisions
Your breeding decisions should always be well balanced and take into consideration the qualities and compatibility of both the sire and dam that you are considering.
As well as evaluating the implications of a dog’s health screening results, there are other equally important factors to consider when deciding whether two dogs should be mated together, such as temperament, genetic diversity, conformation, the general health of the dogs etc.