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Heart-test programme launched for six dog breeds
Great Danes are one of the breeds the programme will look at.
Boxers and Dobermanns among the breeds to be tested.

A new programme to improve the heart health of six pedigree dog breeds has been launched by The Kennel Club and the Veterinary Cardiovascular Society (VCS).

Over the next five years, the programme will offer discounted heart testing for boxers, Dobermanns, Irish wolfhounds, great Danes, Newfoundlands, and bull terriers. All six breeds are known to be at risk of heart problems.

There will also be a survey for owners to fill in to gather more information on overall heart health.

The research will help inform The Kennel Club’s Breed Health and Conservation Plans, which are based on a review of more than 4,000 research papers. The Kennel Club uses the plans to track the progress of bread health and make changes.

The programme could potentially lead to the development of a formal screening scheme. Such a scheme was launched by The Kennel Club and VCS in 2019 for the cavalier King Charles spaniel. By 2023, 41.5 per cent of cavalier King Charles spaniel litters had at least one parent whose heart had been screened.

In the last couple of years, The Kennel Club and VCS have also worked together to carry out exploratory heart testing sessions for whippets and chihuahuas.

Hannah Stephenson, cardiologist at VCS, said: “The VCS are delighted that further progress is being made to identify heart disease in different pedigree dog breeds. As a society, we are keen to reduce the incidence of canine heart disease and look forward to our continued collaboration with The Kennel Club.”

Charlotte McNamara, head of health at The Kennel Club, added: “The Kennel Club is committed to improving heart health and identifying and addressing breed-associated issues for these wonderful breeds and hopefully others in future.”

The Kennel Club is also planning to hold a free webinar in February 2025 about heart problems in dogs. The session will be aimed at owners and breeders of all levels of experience. More details about the event will be released nearer the time.

Image © Shutterstock

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Webinar to explore AMR in vet dentistry

News Story 1
 The WSAVA has invited veterinary professionals to a webinar on responsible antibiotic usage in dentistry.

On 19 November 2025, at 1am, Dr J Scott Weese and Dr Brooke Niemiec will share the latest advice for antimicrobial use. They will present research on oral bacterology, and explain how attendees can choose appropriate antibiotics.

The session will cover pre-, intra- and post-operative guidelines, with recommendations for various pathologies.

The webinar is designed to support veterinary professionals to make informed decisions and tackle antimicrobial resistance.

Attendees can register here. 

Click here for more...
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Bluetongue reaches Wales for first time in 2025

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has revealed that bluetongue has been confirmed in Wales for the first time in 2025.

In their latest statistics, APHA records a total of 109 cases of BTV-3 or BTV-8 in Great Britain in the 2025-2026 vector season.

The total number of BTV-3 cases in Great Britain this season is 107. This includes 103 cases within the England restricted zone and four cases in Wales.

There has also been two cases of BTV-8, which were both in Cornwall.

As a result of the cases in Wales, a Temporary Control Zone (TCZ) is enforced in Monmouthshire. Animals can move freely under general license within the England Restricted Zone, however animals with suspected bluetongue must stay on their holding.

All premises testing positive for blue tongue can be viewed on this map.