All Activity

Background: International Dog Health Workshops The International Dog Health Workshops (IDHWs) provide a forum to identify specific needs and actions aimed at improving the health and well-being of dogs. IPFD oversees the IDHWs and partners with co-hosting organizations that support our mission to improve the health and well-being of all dogs. There have been five IDHWs to date, with a 6th planned for 2026: 1st IDHW (June 2012, Stockholm) - organized by the Swedish Kennel Club (SKK) 2nd IDHW (February 2015, Dortmund) - co-hosted by the German Kennel Club (VDH) 3rd IDHW (Spring 2017, Paris) - co-hosted by the French Kennel Club (SCC) 4th IDHW (Spring 2019, Windsor) - co-hosted by The Kennel Club 5th IDHW (June 2024, Helsinki) - co-hosted by the Finnish Kennel Club 6th IDHW (May/June 2026, Bologna) - co hosted by the Italian Kennel Club (ENCI) Attendees of the 5th IDHW included 106 key decision makers from the international dog community – representing a broad range of organisations, expertise, and perspectives from 16 countries. The workshop program was structured around four key themes and included presentations by dog health experts, breakout sessions, and plenary discussions. “The enthusiasm and collaborative spirit displayed in Helsinki underscore the importance of IPFD’s mission and the impact we can achieve together. I’m excited to work with all our partners and stakeholders as we turn these well-informed recommendations into tangible international actions.” — Marc Ralsky, Chief Executive Officer, International Partnership for Dogs The Report: Key Findings Authored by IPFD staff and workshop theme leaders and facilitators, the report summarises key discussion points for each of the four workshop themes and identifies priorities and planned actions. These include: Supply and Demand Illegal activities such as illegal importation need to be addressed through more effective legislation and enforcement. Explore new opportunities for better collaboration between researchers and other interested parties with greater access to consumers and breeders to provide the data and information on dog buyers needed to guide action. Meet virtually on a regular basis, to ensure continued collaboration and exchange of ideas. Breeding for Health and Well-Being It is imperative that the welfare and lives of dogs are prioritised in all canine activities. Discussions need to continue, but the solutions improving canine health and welfare need to be found urgently. Kennel clubs need to communicate better and more forcefully with their judges to make them understand their role and responsibility in protecting the health and welfare of all breeds. More effective education and understanding within puppy buyers, breeders, and show judges is needed to ensure research and evidence are put at the heart of the action. All stakeholders who care about dogs should strive to be champions of canine health and welfare first and then to consider how this relates to maintaining existing breed concepts. Big Data Launch a pilot project to test data collection and analysis. Set up a working group to identify which traits have currently Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) in different countries and how these EBVs can be used more effectively. Create an online resource on DogWellNet.com to list key datasets held by different organisations for research purposes. Does the Colour Matter? Defining Breed vs Variety Routine crossbreeding between varieties of the same breed should be allowed and even promoted. Move towards harmonisation of rules and terminology regarding breed varieties and crossbreeding. Gather information about the rules on crossbreeding in different countries. Make a series of webinars available globally through DogWellNet.com covering the history of breeding and experiences with crossbreeding, including best practices and common pitfalls. All stakeholders should give more attention to work to increase genetic diversity in dog breeds. All Themes Compile a list of studies related to the four workshop themes to be shared on DogWellNet.com. Educate puppy buyers, breeders, show judges, and other interested parties on issues that affect canine health and welfare. On a broader level, key agreements arising from discussions were that organisations must comply fully with relevant national animal welfare legislation; that organisations must work to eliminate extreme conformations from all dogs and to improve and maintain genetic diversity within subpopulations of dogs; and that organisations should recognise and support crossbreeding as an accepted and valuable tool for modern dog breeding. Click the image on the right to view an infographic provided courtesy of IPFD Collaborating Partner VetCompass or click below to download as a PDF :250414 5th International Dog Health Workshop - Infographic.pdf We wish to thank Companion Animal Health and Genetics for their ongoing support as an IPFD Collaborating Partner and for waiving the publishing fee for this report. Next Steps Progress made on action items will be presented and reviewed at the 6th IDHW (co-hosted by IPFD Contributing Partner, Ente Nazionale della Cinofilia Italiana ‒ the Italian Kennel Club). The workshop is tentatively scheduled to take place in conjunction with the 2026 World Dog Show and FCI’s International Judge’s Congress in Bologna, Italy. In the interim, IPFD is hosting its first-ever Virtual Dog Health Forum in June 2025 – the midway point between the 5th and 6th IDHWs – to continue discussions on key issues in dog health and well-being and identify new opportunities for international collaboration. About Companion Animal Health and Genetics Companion Animal Health and Genetics (formerly Canine Medicine and Genetics) is an open access journal focused on advancing the health and welfare of domesticated animals/pets by providing new clinical, genetic, and epidemiological insights. ISSN: 3059-3255 About the International Partnership for Dogs The International Partnership for Dogs (IPFD) is a non-profit organization leading a global, multi-stakeholder effort to address issues affecting dog health and well-being. Our people include a Board comprised of individuals with respected international reputations, and a small but committed team of consultants in several countries. Volunteers from our partner and collaborator organizations and a network of experts are integral to what we do. Our contributors, partners, and sponsors include national kennel clubs, international cynological organizations, groups with breed specific interests, educational/academic and professional organizations, and key players in the pet industry. Together with other participating organizations, companies, and individuals, we foster collaborative action to achieve our shared goals, support human-animal interactions, and benefit all dogs worldwide. Author Details 1 (Corresponding author), International Partnership for Dogs, Finland 2 International Partnership for Dogs, USA 3 International Partnership for Dogs, Canada 4 International Partnership for Dogs, Canada 5 Pathobiology and Population Sciences, The Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, Herts, UK 6 Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden 7 Clinical Science and Services, The Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, Herts, UK 8 Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA 9 Department of Clinical Sciences, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, N. Grafton, MA, USA 10 TCI Veterinary Services, Feilding, New Zealand 11 Dachshund Health UK, Kencot, UK 12 Health and Genetic Resources Department, Société Centrale Canine, Aubervilliers, France 13 Finnish Retriever Association; Curly Coated Retriever Club of Finland, Finland 14 Showlink Oy, Espoo, Finland 15 Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Finland Contacts Corresponding Author: Katariina Mäki, Business and Project Coordinator, International Partnership for Dogs Marc Ralsky, Chief Executive Officer, International Partnership for Dogs

More bios will be added when available Kari Ekenstedt, DVM, PhD (5th IDHW Speaker/Theme Leader, Theme #3: Big Data) Assistant Professor, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University Dr. Kari Ekenstedt is an Associate Professor in the Department of Basic Medical Sciences at Purdue University's College of Veterinary Medicine. She earned her PhD in Comparative and Molecular Biosciences and her DVM, both from the University of Minnesota. Dr. Ekenstedt is the director of the Purdue Canine Genetics Laboratory, where her research group investigates naturally occurring genetic diseases in dogs (and occasionally cats) and develops genetic tests to help guide breeders. These tests are offered through Purdue's Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, a non-profit entity. Dr. Ekenstedt's other "hat" is to teach comparative gross anatomy to the first-year veterinary students at Purdue. When Dr. Ekenstedt is not in the lab or teaching, she is usually deep into a book, feeding her bibliophilic addiction. She shares her home with one chunky cat and zero dogs (this allows her to be Switzerland when it comes to any dog breed). Dr. Ekenstedt is a die-hard Green Bay Packers fan and even owns a [very small] part of the team! Aimée Llewellyn-Zaidi (5th IDHW Speaker, Theme #2: Breeding for Health and Wellbeing) HGTD Project Director, International Partnership for Dogs Aimée is responsible for maintaining and developing Harmonization of Genetic Testing for Dogs database, as well as resources for genetic and health education and support. This includes updating the generic phenes (test) information, Breed Relevance Rating, and communication with our Collaborating Experts. In addition, Aimée fields queries from our DogWellNet.com members and breeders on issues related to genetics and genetic counselling. Formerly Head of Health and Research at the (Royal) Kennel Club, Aimée provided bespoke advice to Kennel Club clients, and developed evidence-based canine health resources and engagement programs for the public and professional. Aimée's experience includes development of health teams and collaboration building, active engagement and involvement with committees such as the Kennel Club and British Veterinary Association (Canine Health Schemes); direct collaboration with international universities, and the former Kennel Club Genetics Centre at the Animal Health Trust, and engagement with projects such as Vet Compass (RVC). She is an experience presenter, with engagements ranging from BSAVA Congress to virtual genetic education meetings, as well as numerous publications and media engagements. Aimée was also involved in the initial development of the journal “Canine Genetics and Epidemiology,” and remains active as an editorial board member. When not working on the Harmonization of Genetic Testing for Dogs, Aimée spends her time walking her Pembroke Welsh Corgis, McDuff and Poppy. Dr. Dan O’Neill (5th IDHW Speaker, Theme #2: Breeding for Health and Wellbeing) Associate Professor Companion Animal Epidemiology, RVC MVB BSc(hons) GPCert(SAP) GPCert(FelP) GPCert(Derm) GPCert(B&PS) PGCertVetEd FHEA MSc(VetEpi) PhD FRCVS Following 22 years in general practice, Dan is now Associate Professor in Companion Animal Epidemiology at the RVC where he co-leads the VetCompass™ Programme. As well as over 140 papers covering the epidemiology of companion animals with a specific focus on extreme conformations in dogs, he has also authored the books ‘Breed Predispositions to Disease in Dogs and Cats’ and ‘Health and Welfare of Brachycephalic (Flat-faced) Companion Animals’. He chairs the UK Brachycephalic Working Group and is a founding and board member of the UK Legal Advisory Group on Extreme Conformation in Dogs and the International Collaborative on Extreme Conformation in Dogs. Dan was awarded a Fellowship of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons in 2018, the BSAVA Blaine Award for Advancement of Small Animal Science in 2019 and the International Canine Health Award from the Kennel Club Charitable Trust in 2021. Rowena Packer (5th IDHW Moderator, Theme #1: Supply and Demand – Every Dog Counts) Rowena is the Lecturer in Companion Animal Behaviour and Welfare Science at the Royal Veterinary College, London. Rowena leads a research group exploring diverse topics in this area, including the impact of chronic and inherited disorders on dog behaviour and welfare, and the impact of owner knowledge, attitudes and behaviour on canine welfare. She has received >£1.9 million of research funding to date, of which ~£750,000 has been held as Principal Investigator. She held an independent BBSRC Future Leader Research Fellowship from 2017-2021. Rowena has co-authored >90 peer reviewed papers and book chapters since 2012 and co-edited the textbook ‘Health and Welfare of Brachycephalic (Flat-faced) Companion Animals’ (2021). Rowena holds a PhD from the Royal Veterinary College (2013) which explored the impact of extreme conformation on canine health, a 1st Class BSc (Hons) in Animal Behaviour and Welfare from the University of Bristol (2009), and a PGCert in Veterinary Education from the Royal Veterinary College (2021). Rowena is an Editorial Board Member for the journal Scientific Reports, a Coordinating Group Member for the Animal Welfare Research Network, a Canine Scientific Advisory Committee Member for Guide Dogs, and a founding member of Brachycephalic Working Group and the Legal Advisory Group on Extreme Conformation in Dogs. Marc Ralsky – CEO, International Partnership for Dogs Marc joined IPFD as CEO on October 3, 2022. He has broad experience as a not-for-profit leader and has worked extensively with fundraising and corporate sponsorship with various organizations. Marc is a board member of the Canadian Kennel Club. He owns and breeds Siberian Huskies, and co-owns Toy Manchesters, and Samoyeds and shows them in conformation shows worldwide. Marc is also an experienced writer on dog-related topics. Dr. Alison Skipper (5th IDHW Speaker, Theme #4: Does the colour matter? Defining Breed vs Variety) Postdoctoral Researcher in Canine Health Research, VetCompass Animal Surveillance, Royal Veterinary College Alison is a British veterinarian with extensive experience of pedigree dog health work. She has been part of the veterinary team at Crufts for over a decade and has served on various health-related committees at the Royal Kennel Club and elsewhere. Alison has a PhD in the history of breed-related disease in pedigree dogs and is currently a postdoctoral researcher in canine health research at the Royal Veterinary College. She is particularly interested in improving communication between stakeholders in pedigree dog health, and in using history as a tool to better understand and productively engage with the issues that face this sector today.

If you were unable to join us in Helsinki, this will be a great opportunity to connect, share, and get involved! Tuesday, 3rd June & Wednesday, 4th June 2025 (Online) 11am-3:15pm (EDT) / 15:00-19:15 (UTC)* *Times subject to change Click Here to Register! The Virtual Dog Health Forum is brought to you free of charge, thanks to the generous support of our Lead Sponsor: Just Published! The paper, Moving from information and collaboration to action: Report from the 5th International Dog Health Workshop in Helsinki, June 2024 has been published in the journal Companion Animal Health and Genetics. Authored by IPFD staff and workshop theme leaders, the report summarises key discussion points for each of the four workshop themes and identifies priorities and planned actions. Overview IPFD welcomes key stakeholders in the dog world ‒ including the same brilliant thought leaders who led discussions at the 5th International Dog Health Workshop (IDHW) in Helsinki, Finland ‒ to join us for our 2025 Virtual Dog Health Forum. Building upon the momentum from the 5th IDHW, the Forum will facilitate ongoing conversations on key issues in dog health and well-being, refocus collaborative work on action items from the Helsinki workshop, and set the stage for the 6th IDHW in Bologna, Italy in 2026 (co-hosted by IPFD Contributing Partner, Ente Nazionale della Cinofilia Italiana (ENCI) ‒ the Italian Kennel Club). The Forum theme, ‘Bridging the Gap’, embodies three concepts: Maintaining our momentum throughout the two years between the 5th and 6th IDHWs Sharing perspectives and expertise between stakeholder groups on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean and other regions around the globe Finding common ground among the diverse views and priorities in the dog community and identifying opportunities for international collaboration ‒ with the aim of enhancing the health and well-being of all dogs worldwide Forum Objectives The main objectives of the 2025 Virtual Dog Health Forum are to: Continue the promotion of collaboration and networking throughout our global community Continue the streams of conversation across the themes from the 5th IDHW and other emerging issues in the dog world Review the outcomes from the 5th IDHW and summarize the work done to date Set new targets/milestones for work to be completed before the in-person IDHW in 2026 Secure commitments by individual contributors and organizations to help IPFD carry out this important work Target Audiences Kennel and breed clubs (national and regional) and associated health committees, breeding advisors, etc. Veterinarians and veterinary care providers, veterinary organizations Canine authorities Researchers/educational institutions/students Pet industry product/service providers (e.g., genetic test providers, food manufacturers, insurers) Other non-profit canine health/welfare associations/organizations Program Preliminary Program - Updates to Come Note: Times are indicated in EDT (UTC/GMT -4 hours) Day 1 (3rd June) 11:00 Welcome ‒ Marc Ralsky, IPFD 11:15 BOAS Program ‒ Eddie Dziuk, OFA 11:45 IPFD presentation on The DogWellnessNetwork; IPFD progress since Helsinki‒ Aimée Llewellyn-Zaidi, IPFD 12:15 Theme 1: Supply and Demand summary ‒ Rowena Packer, RVC 12:30 Theme 2: Breeding for Health and Well-being summary‒ Dan O’Neill, VetCompass, RVC 12:45 Break 1:00 Group Panel discussion on progress and priorities 1:45 Presentation on research/project ‒ (TBC) ICECDogs 2:15 Continued Group Panel discussion, agreeing next steps and action/identifying leaders 2:45 The state of global veterinary care ‒ (TBC) WSAVA 3:00-3:15 Final comments on the day Day 2 (4th June) 11:00 Welcome Back ‒ Marc Ralsky, IPFD 11:15 Guest Speaker Europe ‒ (TBC) Pet Homelessness 11:45 Theme 3: Big Data summary ‒ Kari Ekenstedt, Purdue University 12:00 Theme 4: Does the Colour Matter? Breed vs Variety summary ‒ Alison Skipper, RKC 12:15 Presentation on research/project ‒ TBC, AKC Genetic Testing 12:45 Group Panel discussion on progress and priorities 1:30 Break 1:45 Continued Group Panel discussion, agreeing on next steps and action/identifying leaders 2:15 6th International Dog Health Workshop, Bologna, Italy ‒ IPFD/Italian Kennel Club 2:30 Summary of collective next steps ‒ Aimée Llewellyn-Zaidi, IPFD 2:45 Thank yous ‒ Marc Ralsky, IPFD Speakers, Theme Leaders, and Contributing Experts Click here to view biographies Our Sponsors The Virtual Dog Health Forum is brought to you free of charge, thanks to the generous support of our Lead Sponsor: The Royal Canin Division, owner of the ROYAL CANIN® brand, is part of Mars, Incorporated and a global leader in Health Through Nutrition for cats and dogs. Founded in 1968 by French veterinarian, Dr. Jean Cathary, Royal Canin continues to push the limits of nutrition and knowledge in partnership with pet professionals and experts to fulfill its Purpose: A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS. Royal Canin collaborates with partners, including breeders and veterinarians, not only to design precise, science-based nutrition for cats and dogs but also to develop a variety of tools and services to generate a significant positive impact on pet health. The company does this in a respectful, responsible, and sustainable way towards pets, people, and planet. To learn more about Royal Canin, visit www.royalcanin.com Please contact us for additional sponsorship opportunities. Questions? Please contact us at info@ipfdogs.com Stay tuned for updates!

The Labrador Retriever at a Glance The Labrador Retriever is one of the best known and popular breeds in the world. The Labrador Retriever originated and developed on the island of Newfoundland as an all-purpose waterdog and functional retriever. The breed was preserved in England after anti-dog legislation almost decimated the breed in its homeland. The breed is noted for its love of retrieving and water, for its excellent nose, soft mouth, intelligence and biddable temperament. Extraordinary versatility allows Labradors to excel as hunting, service, and therapy dogs; in search and rescues; in drug and bomb detection; as family companions, and in performance and field events. His gentle ways, intelligence and adaptability have done much to account for the Lab’s popularity as a pet. His disposition is kindly and outgoing coupled with an eager-to-please nature and general non-aggressiveness. Excelling as a field dog as well as in obedience, the Labrador enjoys outdoor exercise and is especially fond of swimming. He’ll happily retrieve until your arm gives out. He’s a great family pet, good with children, that does well in suburban or country settings. (Source: Canadian Kennel Club) The Labrador Retriever is divided into two lines: the working line and the basic line. The working line is bred with a strong emphasis on the traits needed for hunting trials. In the basic line, the emphasis may be on appearance, tracking or other hobbies. In Finland, the percentage of the hunting line is increasing and is now about 25% of the population. Mixed line Labradors are a combination of the two lines with some hunting dogs in the pedigree, but not so many that they would meet the definition of a hunting line. (Source: breeding strategy of the Finnish Breed Club) What Do Caretakers Need to Know? Because of its active nature, the Labrador Retriever needs a lot of exercise and brain work. The breed is not suitable as a mere couch dog. Labradors are always hungry, so caretakers need to be careful with feeding and not allow dogs to gain weight. Being overweight predisposes dogs to various diseases such as osteoarthritis. Key Hereditary Health Conditions The most common reasons for a veterinary visit in Swedish Labradors are musculoskeletal symptoms, gastrointestinal symptoms, skin diseases, and injury. Injury, which is number three on the list, can include poisoning, skin injuries, wounds, and claw injuries. Source: Agria In the UK, the Labrador Retrievers have significantly increased risk of arthritis (x 2.8), lipoma (fatty mass) (x 2.5), kennel cough (x 2.3), laceration (x 2.2), stiffness (x 2.1), papilloma (x 1.7), moist dermatitis (x 1.7), obesity (x 1.6), lameness (x 1.6), post-operative wound (x 1.6), ear infection (x 1.5), and diarrhoea (x 1.4). Source: Royal Veterinary College 210623 Labrador Predisposition infographic.pdf Physical Exaggerations – Instructions for Conformation JudgesBreed-Specific Instructions of the Nordic Kennel UnionFCI GROUP 8 – Retrievers – Flushing Dogs – Water Dogs Labradors are not listed in the instructions, but there’s a general notice about the FCI Group 8, in which they belong to: 'Endurance and sound movement are therefore particularly important, as is good muscular condition. It is important to distinguish between substance and obesity/overweight.' Read more here >> Breed Watch UK Points of concern for special attention by judges: Legs too short in proportion to depth of body and to length of back Significantly overweight Read more here >> Statistics (Morbidity and Mortality)Agria - Swedish Breed ProfilesWe recommend that you download the Agria Breed Profiles for the German Shepherd and study them for full available information. Some excerpts are shown below. Download Profiles for 2006 – 2011 | Download Profiles for 2011 – 2016 | Download Profiles for 2016 – 2021 (Access is free, but sign-in to DogWellNet is required). The great benefits of the Swedish Insurance Data are that they include almost 40% of the national population of dogs, and so are very representative. Note that animals at very old ages are likely under-represented. Most importantly, information is available on all insured dogs, not simply those who get sick or die. Extracts from Veterinary Care Events – MORBIDITYRelative morbidity risk in Labrador Retrievers compared to all breeds (Chart 1): 1.14 (The risk in the breed is somewhat larger than for All Breeds). Most frequent general causes (Chart 3): locomotor, digestive, injury, neoplasia, skin, ear. Most frequent specific causes (Chart 5): vomiting/diarrea/gastroenteritis, otitis, pain/symptom locomotor, dermatitis/pyoderma/folliculitis, skin tumour, teeth. Largest relative risks (specific causes) compared to All Breeds (Chart 6 – not included here): degeneration/dystrophy/dysplasia of the hock: 5.5 times the risk, degeneration/dystrophy/dysplasia of the phalanx: 5 times the risk, elbow osteochondrosis: 5 times the risk, degeneration/dystrophy/dysplasia of the elbow: 4.4 times the risk, and bening tumour in the eye: 3.6 times the risk in All Breeds. Locomotor, largest relative risks compared to All Breeds (Chart 10): elbow 3.9 x, phalanx 2.8 x, shoulder/scapula 2 x, hock 2 x, and hip/femur/pelvis 1.3 x the risk in All Breeds. Extracts from Agria Breed Profile (Life) – MORTALITYMedian Age (years) at death: 6.3, which is a little lower than in All Breeds (6.9). Relative Risk Mortality compared to All Breeds (Chart 1): 0.87. (The risk in the breed is smaller than the risk in All Breeds). Most frequent general causes of death (Chart 3): locomotor, neoplasia, digestive, dead/euthanized, urinary (upper). General causes more common than in All Breeds (Chart 4, not shown here): locomotor, urinary (upper), immunological, skin. Most frequent specific causes of death (Chart 5): dead/euthanized, degeneration/dystrophy/dysplasia, upper urinary non-specified or various, elbow osteochondrosis, liver unspecified or various, epilepsy, tumour in blood/vessels. Specific causes with twice or more the risk compared to All Breeds (Chart 6, not shown here): • elbow degeneration/dystrophy/dysplasia (>5 times) • elbow osteochondrosis (> 4 times) • osteochondrosis (> 4 times) • elbow pain/other symptoms (> 3.5 times) • locomotor degeneration/dystrophy/dysplasia • arthritis Finland – Finnish Kennel Club Mortality Data 2015-> The average lifespan according to the Finnish statistics is 10 years 2 months. The most common specified causes of death: old age (at 13 years), tumor/cancer (9 y 11 mo), skeletal or articular disease (7 y and 3 mo), and digestive disease (8 y 1 mo). Note: Many dogs die in accidents. Lifespan of these dogs is on average 4 years and 7 months. This decreases the average lifespan of the breed. Source: Finnish Kennel Club breeding database Life Expectancy UK: 12 years (McGreevy et al. 2018, Teng et al. 2022) US: 11-13 years - See AKC's webpage France: approx. 12 years - See French Kennel Club data Health Screening DNA Tests – Harmonization of Genetic Testing for DogsThe Harmonization of Genetic Testing for Dogs (HGTD) is a large collaborative project run by the IPFD. The HGTD includes 82 academic and commercial genetic test providers (GTPs) in 26 countries. Our searchable database currently holds information on 300+ conditions/traits across all breeds/types. Breed Relevance Rating (BRR) indicates the level of available evidence supporting the application of a specific genetic test for a specific breed/type: Some, moderate or strong evidence from available research. The test may be meaningful or recommended for this breed. Currently no evidence of relevance for the use of this test in this breed, or the test is not known in this breed. This rating should be expected to change as evidence becomes available. All current available evidence has been reviewed, but relevance is inconclusive, and/or the clinical form of the disease has never been seen in this breed. All current evidence indicates that the test is not meaningful or recommended in this breed. Click here for more information on the HGTD project See the HGTD – DNA tests for the Labrador Retriever. Summary: The Labrador Retriever is one of the most popular and studied breeds around the globe. Despite having over-all a large population in many parts of the world, the breed as a whole can be prone to the development of distinct populations - often between "show" and "working" lines, based on coat-colour, specialised purpose (e.g. assistance), or geograpical location resulting in disease-risk and inbreeding variations. There are a large number of genetic tests available, including for very rare diseases which reflects this breed being so commonly studied in research rather than being an "unhealthy" breed. There are some general breed-wide risks however, that many breeders may wish to take into consideration when prioritizing breeding decisions. Like many retrievers, eye diseases are not uncommon, so utilizing a combination of genetic and clinical tests before breeding, and at a mid- and late- stage in life is beneficial both for the breed and the individual dog. Some genetic tests, such as variants of copper toxicosis and variants of progressive retinal atrophy, such as GR PRA 2, may be more important to some populations of Labradors - reflecting their specific heritage or historical inter-breeding with other retrievers. Many breed clubs and kennel clubs provide population-specific recommendations, requirements, and advice, to reflect the variations in breed populations. It is also worth remembering that a very useful tool for breeders managing genetic variation in the breed is to seek breeding lines across the breadth of the population. Currently, breed-associated disease tests with evidence of relevance include: Achromatopsia 2 Alexander Disease Centronuclear Myopathy Congenital Myasthenic Syndrome - COLQ related Copper Toxicosis, ATP7B Type Cystinuria Type I-A Exercise-Induced Collapse / EIC Hyperuricosuria and Hyperuricemia (HUU) Macular Corneal Dystrophy Malignant Hyperthermia Myotubular Myopathy 1 (XLMTM) Narcolepsy Nasal Parakeratosis Oculoskeletal Dysplasia 1 Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA-prcd) Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency Skeletal Dysplasia 2 (SD2) In addition, there are several tests available to Labrador Retrievers that may be important but do not currently have breed-specific associated research, or may be important to breeders in terms of other traits such as coat colour. It is also important to note that the tests that are relevant for the breed can change over time, and different populations will have different priorities for concerns. ♦ BIG PICTURE THINKING ♦ Please take into consideration - Most of the conditions with genetic tests are rare in the general population, but valuable for breeders to use to efficiently reduce risks while supporting good genetic diversity in the breed as a whole. Also be aware that there are many DNA tests that are available for ALL breeds, and that while the test itself is valid, the condition may not be a major health concern or included in health strategies for every breed. See the HGTD for a full list of DNA tests including "Trait" and "Parentage" tests. There are a number of tests available, particularly tests for traits such as coat color, or health issues that are applicable to all dogs and may be important to specific breeding lines or breeding goals. We welcome contributions from breed experts and researchers to help us keep our information up to date. Email us at info@ipdfogs.com Health Screening Summary – By Country(Source: Breeding Strategies, see below) R1-Mandatory for registration R2-Recommended R3-Recognized Note: Please let us know if there have been changes to the health screening requirements in your country, so we can update our data. Condition/Trait UK FI FR GR IT NL NO SWE US Hip dysplasia R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R2 R1 R1 R2 Elbow dysplasia R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R2 R1 R2 R2 Eye disease R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R2 R2 R2 R2 Osteochondrosis R2 R3 R2 R2 Cardiac disease R3 R2 R3 R2 R2 Skin (allergy, atopy) R3 R2 R3 R2 Epilepsy R2 R3 R2 R3 Character/ Mental/Field test R2 R2 R2 R1 R2 R2 R2 R2 R2 DNA tests (more info under the table) R2 R2 R2 R1 R2 R2 R2 D Locus (Dilute) DNA Test R1 R2 R2 R2 Obesity R2 R2 DNA testing: UK: Royal Kennel Club Retriever package for the Labrador includes DNA profile and tests for Centronuclear Myopathy (CNM), Progressive Retinal Atrophy (prcd-PRA), Skeletal Dysplasia 2 (dwarfism; SD2), Stargardt Disease (STGD), and Macular Corneal Dystrophy (MCD). An enhanced package includes also Hereditary Nasal Parakeratosis (HNPK) and Exercise-Induced Collapse (EIC). France: breed club recommends testing for CNM, Narcolepsy, prcd-PRA, EIC, HNPK, SD2, and RD/ODS (Oculoskeletal Dysplasia) Other countries: similar requirements/recommendations, with slight variations Note: The table above provides some of the most common health screening information from clubs in the countries listed. See the individual club websites for the most recent and accurate information on health management in the breed. Breeding Strategies and Health Screening Statistics UK The Royal Kennel Club health scheme Information on the Labrador (health, breeding restrictions) Labrador Breed Council Health data Annual hip dysplasia report 2023: France GRILLE DE SELECTION / La Centrale Canine (French Kennel Club) La Centrale Canine Health Report 2012-2021: During 2012-2020 the proportion of screened Labradors free of hip dysplasia (green colour in the graphs below) has been 90%. 5 % of the screened dogs had elbow arthrosis (grades 1-3 elbow dysplasia) during 2011-2020: The report includes also genetic testing results; translations: Nom Complet = Full Name Nbre résultats sur la période = Number of results during the time period Résultats /Chiens confirmés = Results/Checked dogs Porteurs Sains = Healthy Carriers Nbre de test annuel = Number of yearly tests Objectif atteint en 2020 = Goal reached in 2020 Germany Deutscher Retriever Club e. V. (all retriever breeds) Zuchtordnung Database, advanced search Gene tests, required and recommended Mentioned also on the website: megaesophagus, swimmer puppies, tumors Labrador Club Deutschland e. V. Zuchtordnung Gene tests, required and recommended are the same as in Deutscher Retriever Club Mentioned also on the website: epilepsy, dilute color, dentition and HNPK Italy Statistics and health requirements by Ente Nazionale della Cinofilia Italiana (Italian Kennel Club, ENCI) Scandinavian countries Finland: Jalostuksen tavoiteohjelma (JTO) in Finnish Sweden: Rasspecifik avelsstrategi (RAS) in Swedish Database Norway: Rasespesifikk avlsstrategi (RAS) is under development. Breeding rules of the breed club Norwegian Kennel Club - Requirements regarding hip and elbow dysplasia Norwegian Kennel Club - DNA tests (yellow markings mean mandatory for litter registration) Percent healthy of the examined dogs (2013-2023): Hip dysplasia: Finland 79%, Norway 79%, Sweden 82 % Elbow dysplasia: Finland 90%, Norway 92%, Sweden 93 % Eye diseases: Finland 91%, Norway 82%, Sweden 85% The Netherlands Raad van Beheer (Dutch Kennel Club) has started a program 'Foknormen' (Breeding standards), where certain health and character results are required before the dog can be used for breeding. Vereiningsfokreglement (VFR) - Breeding rules of the breed clubs: Labradorkring Also mentioned: bloat, epilepsy, skin conditions, paroxysmal dyskinesia (PD), tricuspid valve dysplasia, ectopic ureter, and copper toxicosis Nederlandse Labrador Vereniging Specified eye diseases mentioned: cataracts, PRA, retinal dysplasia, ectropion, entropion Ongoing research: copper toxicosis, epilepsy, paroxysmal dyskinesia, ectopic ureter, cardiac diseases (like tricuspid valve dysplasia). ZooEasy database available for members Health results US The American Kennel Club website for the Labrador Retriever The Labrador Retriever Club, Inc - Health issues OFA - Recommended health screening tests for the breed (CHIC) OFA Statistics - % healthy of the examined dogs since 2021: Hip dysplasia: 91% Elbow dysplasia: 91% Eye diseases: 97% (PRA 96%, prcd-PRA 100%) Cardiac (Advanced): 97% Thyroid: 93% HNPK 97% (genotype N/N) EIC: 91% (genotype N/N) Copper Toxicosis: 76% (genotype N/N) Research Labrador Retrievers show predisposition to some common disorders including osteoarthritis and lipoma but show protection to some common disorders including patellar luxation and heart murmur. Infographic of the study Pegram, C., Woolley, C., Brodbelt, D.C. et al. Disorder predispositions and protections of Labrador Retrievers in the UK. Sci Rep 11, 13988 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-93379-2 The most common disorders in Labrador retrievers were otitis externa, overweight/obesity and degenerative joint disease. Otitis externa and pyo-traumatic dermatitis were less prevalent in black dogs yellow dogs than in chocolate dogs. Chocolate dogs had a significantly shorter lifespan than non-chocolate dogs. Infographic of the study McGreevy, P.D., Wilson, B.J., Mansfield, C.S. et al. Labrador retrievers under primary veterinary care in the UK: demography, mortality and disorders. Canine Genet Epidemiol 5, 8 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40575-018-0064-x Life tables varied widely between breeds. Life tables generated by the current study allow a deeper understanding of the varied life trajectory across many types of dogs and offer novel insights and applications to improve canine health and welfare. The current study helps promote further understanding of life expectancy, which will benefit pet owners and the veterinary profession, along with many other sectors. Infographic of the study Teng, K.Ty., Brodbelt, D.C., Pegram, C. et al. Life tables of annual life expectancy and mortality for companion dogs in the United Kingdom. Sci Rep 12, 6415 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-10341-6 Dogslife Project - Dogslife is the first large-scale, longitudinal cohort study of canine lifestyle, morphology and health. The project involves recruiting the owners of UK-based, Kennel Club registered Labrador Retrievers and asking them to submit data about their dogs via an online questionnaire repeatedly as the dogs age. References and Resources Breed Clubs CANADA Labrador Retriever Club Of Canada National Retriever Club Of Canada UK Labrador Breed Council Finland Labradorinnoutajakerho ry France Retriever Club de France Germany Deutscher Retriever Club e.V. Labrador Club Deutschland e.V. Italy Retriever’s Club Italiano Norway Norsk Retrieverklubb Sweden Svenska Spaniel och Retriever klubben Labrador Retrieverklubben The Netherlands Labrador Kring Nederland Nederlandse Labrador Vereniging US The Labrador Club, Inc. More Information Taylor 2024. Hyperkeratosis in Dogs Universities Federation for Animal Welfare (UFAW) 2016. Info articles on health conditions of Labrador Retrievers. IPFD/DogWellNet Resources for the Labrador Retriever Information on the breed: Pedigree Breeds Database - Labrador Retriever Genetic testing database: Harmonization of Genetic Testing for Dogs (HGTD) Health strategies: Health Strategies Database for Dogs (HSDD) (please send info on your country to info@ipfdogs.com) Agria Breed Profiles: 2006 – 2011 | 2011 – 2016 | 2016 – 2021 (Access is free, but sign-in to DogWellNet is required)

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Our HGTD Project Director, Aimée Llewellyn-Zaidi, was a presenter at the 2024 Embark Canine Health Summit. Her presentation covered the value/benefits of health testing, simple tools for understanding/interpreting health results, & tips for sharing health test information with new puppy owners.

This article on German Shepherds is part of a series to highlight the Big Picture of health, welfare and breeding and to help develop Globally Relevant Integrated Health Profiles (GRIHPs) for many breeds. See IPFD's Get a GRIHP! on Breed Health Initiative This is a 'living document' - so if anyone has more material to share or point us to - please let us know! Photo: Freepik

NOTE: Our Consulting Team will be on holidays from the 21st of December until the 2nd of January. 6th International Dog Health Workshop - Summer 2026* We're excited to announce that IPFD Contributing Partner Ente Nazionale della Cinofilia Italiana (ENCI) - The Italian Kennel Club - will be hosting the 6th International Dog Health Workshop (IDHW) in Bologna, Italy! The 6th IDHW will take place in conjunction with the 2026 World Dog Show and FCI’s International Judge’s Congress. In addition to being the centre of the dog universe for the week, Bologna is widely considered one of the world's top food cities. Buon appetito! Stay tuned for more information, coming soon! *Details subject to change News & HighlightsIPFD NewsHundreds of veterinarians, breeders, and other stakeholders in dog health from around the world joined us in October for "Breeding Healthy, Quality Dogs: The Veterinarian, Breeder, and Public Roles", with Jerold S Bell DVM. Webinar Video A recording of the webinar is available below or presented with additional details of the session here. Please feel free to share the link with your friends and colleagues. Summary of Q&As We're still working with Dr. Bell to ensure thorough, informative responses to all of the excellent questions we received during the webinar, but we're confident it will be well worth the wait! The document will posted soon on DogWellNet, and we'll let you know when it's available. A big thank you to Dr. Bell and WSAVA for making this event possible! Blog PostsIPFD's Business and Project Coordinator, Katariina Mäki, recently posted an entry offering an overview of new breeding tools from Wisdom Panel and Embark that may be of interest to dog breeders and owners. In Finnish Kennel Club webinar: Breed bans or breed rebuilding - what is the future of dog breeding?, Katariina summarizes a recent online event that focused on some of today's key challenges in dog breeding from the Finnish perspective. Breeds Resources★ This month, we feature the German Shepherd Dog ★ Brief Description: The German Shepherd Dog is medium-size, slightly elongated, powerful and well-muscled, with dry bone and firm overall structure. The German Shepherd Dog must be well-balanced (with strong nerves) in terms of character, self-assured, absolutely natural and (except for a stimulated situation) good-natured as well as attentive and willing to please. He must possess instinctive behaviour, resilience and self-assurance in order to be suitable as a companion, guard, protection, service and herding dog. Source: FCI IPFD has published a NEW Globally Relevant Integrated Health Profile (GRIHP) for the German Shepherd Dog. This article is part of a unique series highlighting the 'Big Picture' of health, welfare, and breeding for selected breeds. Learn more about IPFD's Get a GRIHP! on Breed Health Initiative. Quick Links to IPFD/DogWellNet Resources for the German Shepherd Dog: Information on the breed: Pedigree Breeds Database - German Shepherd Dog Genetic testing - Harmonization of Genetic Testing for Dogs (HGTD) Database: German Shepherd Dog/ double coat | German Shepherd Dog/ long and harsch outer coat Health Strategies Database for Dogs (HSSD): German Shepherd Dog/ double coat | German Shepherd Dog/ long and harsch outer coat (please share breed info for your country with us!) Get a GRIHP! on German Shepherds Harmonization of Genetic Testing for Dogs (HGTD) Our HGTD Project Director, Aimée Llewellyn-Zaidi, was a presenter at the recent Embark Canine Health Summit. Her presentation covered the value/benefits of health testing, simple tools for understanding/interpreting health results, and tips for sharing health test information with new puppy owners. Watch Aimée's presentation Aimée recently joined Laura Reeves for four episodes of her highly-acclaimed Pure Dog Talk Podcast. With more than 600+ episodes, 2 million downloads, and 300+ five-star ratings on iTunes, the Pure Dog Talk show is the leading purebred podcast in the world. Every week, Laura talks to the legends of the sport and gives you the tips and tools to create an awesome life with your purebred dog. We've compiled descriptions and links to all four episodes here, which include: Episode #651 - Bridging the Gap Between Art and Science of Dog Breeding Episode #652 - Breeding Dogs Around Diseases that Don’t Have a “Test Episode #656 - How Breeds Have Managed Population-wide Health Crises Episode #659 - When Sh*t Happens in Your Breeding Program IPFD Partners in Action On November 27, IPFD Contributing Partner, The Canadian Kennel Club hosted a CKC member-exclusive webinar in which they dove into the insights from the 5th International Dog Health Workshop (hosted by IPFD and The Finnish Kennel Club in June). CKC representatives - including IPFD CEO and CKC Board Member Marc Ralsky - shared their first-hand reflections on the IDHW, which addressed many of the latest topics in dog health, trends in breeding, and more. The University of Copenhagen recently published an article on a presentation by Peter Sandøe, Professor, Centre for Companion Animal Welfare, Denmark, delivered at the Finnish Kennel Club's breeders day (held in conjunction with the 5th IDHW). Peter was also a speaker at the 5th IDHW as part of the workshop theme, Supply and Demand – Every Dog Counts. Entitled, 'Will dog breeds as we know them today soon be a thing of the past?', the presentation aimed to describe the current trends in the demand and supply of dogs in the Global North and to discuss the major changes that are taking place. University of Copenhagen article | Watch the presentation | More articles on the 5th IDHW 2024 Year-End Review ...and a Look Ahead at 2025 2024 was a busy, exciting year...and a fitting way to close out the first decade of the International Partnership for Dogs. Below, we present some highlights from 2024 and a preview of big things to come in 2025! JANUARY 2024 The International Partnership for Dogs enters its 10th year of leading a global, multi-stakeholder effort to enhance dog health, well-being, and welfare. Planning for 5th International Dog Health Workshop continues FEBRUARY 2024 Registration opens for the 5th International Dog Health Workshop; planning for the workshop continues February issue of DogWellNet Digest MARCH 2024 IPFD publishes Get a GRIHP! on American Staffordshire Terriers Planning for 5th International Dog Health Workshop continues Work on redesigned DogWellNet.com website begins APRIL 2024 Planning for 5th International Dog Health Workshop continues Work continues on redesigned DogWellNet.com MAY 2024 May issue of DogWellNet Digest Planning for 5th International Dog Health Workshop continues Work continues on redesigned DogWellNet.com JUNE 2024 More than 100 leaders and decision makers from 17 countries – representing over 50 key organizations from across our global dog community – came together in June for the long-awaited 5th International Dog Health Workshop in Helsinki. IPFD is leading ongoing discussions with our stakeholders to evaluate recommendations, establish priorities, determine resource requirements/availability, and formulate plans for collaborative actions for the months and years to come. IPFD publishes its 2023 Annual Report: A Decade of Collaboration Work continues on redesigned DogWellNet.com JULY 2024 Work begins on outcomes from the 5th International Dog Health Workshop Work continues on redesigned DogWellNet.com AUGUST 2024 IPFD publishes Get a GRIHP! on Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Work continues on outcomes from the 5th International Dog Health Workshop Work continues on redesigned DogWellNet.com SEPTEMBER 2024 HGTD Project Director, Aimée Llewellyn-Zaidi, is among the presenters at the Embark Canine Health Summit Aimée joins Laura Reeves for the first of four episodes of her highly-acclaimed Pure Dog Talk Podcast IPFD CEO Marc Ralsky offers insights on how better information-sharing can help keep dogs in happy homes and tackle the issue of pet homelessness as part of Mars Petcare's State of Pet Homelessness Project ‘Fur-Ever Home’ expert advisor series September issue of DogWellNet Digest Work continues on outcomes from the 5th International Dog Health Workshop Work continues on redesigned DogWellNet.com OCTOBER 2024 IPFD and WSAVA present webinar, "Breeding Healthy, Quality Dogs: The Veterinarian, Breeder, and Public Roles", with Jerold S Bell DVM Work continues on outcomes from the 5th International Dog Health Workshop Work continues on redesigned DogWellNet.com NOVEMBER 2024 The Canadian Kennel Club hosts member-exclusive webinar offering insights from the 5th International Dog Health Workshop IPFD submits "Moving from information and collaboration to action: Report from the 5th International Dog Health Workshop in Helsinki, June 2024" to Canine Medicine and Genetics, an open access journal publishing research relating to canine health; peer review of the paper is ongoing IPFD publishes Get a GRIHP! on German Shepherds Work continues on outcomes from the 5th International Dog Health Workshop Work continues on redesigned DogWellNet.com DECEMBER 2024 Work continues on outcomes from the 5th International Dog Health Workshop Work continues on redesigned DogWellNet.com WHAT TO WATCH FOR IN 2025: Launch of fully redesigned DogWellNet.com website, new IPFD "organization-focused" website, and new IPFD branding Updates on plans for 6th International Dog Health Workshop, co-hosted by ENCI (Italy 2026) Interactive IPFD webinars addressing key issues in dog health and well-being Launch of IPFD podcasts IPFD breakout session at the AKC-CHF National Parent Club Canine Health Conference in August and participation in other key events in the global canine community Join IPFD in our global, multi-stakeholder effort to enhance dog health, well-being, and welfare! Individual Contributors: Are you a breed expert and/or involved in a dog club for your breed? Would you like to share information from your kennel club, breed club, or country on DogWellNet.com? Canine Organizations: Stand shoulder-to-shoulder with other key stakeholders in the global dog community by formally supporting IPFD and our important work. Learn More About Opportunities for Collaboration with IPFD Make a Donation IPFD is truly a "people driven" service organization. We allocate the bulk of our financial resources to maintain a small but dedicated team of consultants to manage our modest resources and facilitate the activities of our stakeholders, with the aim of achieving our collective goals. You can specify how your donation is used (support IPFD and its programs and activities OR support the Harmonization of Genetic Testing for Dogs). All donations are handled securely via PayPal. Select one of the options below to make a donation now. 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