Following the announcement in
July 2020 of the closure of the Animal Health Trust, The Kennel Club is
delighted to confirm that The Kennel Club Canine Genetics Centre will officially
re-open and be located at the University of Cambridge. Here, the centre’s vital
research into dog genetics and inherited canine conditions can continue.
The Kennel Club Charitable
Trust has funded the centre since its initial launch at the Animal Health Trust
in 2009. The new centre will continue to be led by Dr Cathryn Mellersh, and
will resume its mission to research genetic mutations and assist in developing
breeding tools for some of the most common and debilitating inherited
conditions in dogs. The Kennel Club and the canine genetics team will work
together to ensure that the centre’s research targets conditions that have the
greatest impact on the health of dogs. The Kennel Club’s breed health and
conservation plans, a project that gathers all available health information and
data about each breed, will play a vital role in guiding the centre’s
objectives and areas of research.
During its time at the Animal
Health Trust, The Kennel Club Canine Genetics Centre had a significant impact
on the health of numerous breeds. Researchers at the centre developed 25
different DNA tests for canine inherited diseases that affect over 50 breeds.
Research into the impact of some of these tests revealed that over a ten year
period, thanks to uptake of these tests by responsible breeders, the frequency
of disease-causing genetic variants in some breeds reduced by a staggering 90 percent.
Close collaboration with breed clubs and breeders is essential to the success
of the centre, as is the collection of over 40,000 DNA samples that has been
developed over the last twenty years. These samples, along with valuable
scientific and DNA sequence data have now been secured and transferred to the
University of Cambridge for further analysis.
Bill King, Chairman of The
Kennel Club Charitable Trust, said: “The Kennel Club Genetics Centre has made
an enormous positive impact on the health of dogs whilst under the auspices of
the Animal Health Trust, the closure of which we were saddened and concerned to
learn of last year.
“We’re now thrilled that the
centre has found a home in such a reputable and prestigious research institute,
and we’re very much looking forward to collaborating with the centre once
more.”
Dr Cathryn Mellersh, head of
The Kennel Club Genetics Centre, added: “The last ten years have been
incredibly important to dog health and, thanks to the University of Cambridge,
especially Professor James Wood, Head of the Department of Veterinary Medicine
at Cambridge Vet School, for all his assistance in safeguarding our resources
and The Kennel Club Charitable Trust, this work can now continue. Our work to
support breeders in reducing health problems in dogs is essential and we are eager
to continue this important work and are thankful to everyone for their
support.”
Professor James Wood said: “We
are delighted that the important work by Cathryn and her team, funded by The
Kennel Club Charitable Trust can now continue through The Kennel Club’s Canine
Genetics Centre at Cambridge Vet School. We look forward to working together
for the health and welfare of our much loved dogs.”
Further information regarding
The Kennel Club’s extensive work in the field of canine health and research can
be found on The Kennel Club website.
