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Comfort in crisis: Leading animal organisations unite to support pets and owners through Coronavirus (COVID-19)
25 Mar 2020 | Animal health
Canine Health Schemes
Dog health screening schemes
The Canine Health Schemes (CHS), established by the British Veterinary Association (BVA) and the Kennel Club, works with expert veterinary surgeons to offer dog health screening schemes for a number of known hereditary conditions in order to improve dog health and welfare.
The schemes allow breeders to screen their dogs for a range of inherited diseases, helping them to make informed and responsible breeding decisions.
Coronavirus update
In-line with current government advice, screening for Canine Health Schemes (CHS) has been placed on hold.
- Veterinary practices are being advised to provide emergency care only which does not include radiography services for the CHS Hip and Elbow Dysplasia Schemes.
- Hip and Elbow Dysplasia scoring and grading sessions are not currently running as our staff and scrutineers are required to remain at home.
- Eye Panellists will not be able to offer eye screening in the immediate future.
We will update our website when the situation changes and appreciate your understanding during this time.
BVA are also issuing regular updates through their website and social media channels, giving guidance to both vets and animal owners during the coronavirus crisis.
Over 11,000 dogs had their hips scored in 2018
Over 6,000 dogs had their elbows graded in 2018
Over 20,000 dogs had eye examinations in 2018
Our schemes
Our mission is to improve dog health and welfare by reducing the incidence and severity of inherited disease.The schemes are open to both pedigree and crossbred dogs and submissions from outside the UK are welcome.
Healthy dogs create healthy puppies
All pedigree and crossbred dogs can suffer from inherited diseases which are passed on from parent to puppy.
Health testing and screening allows owners and breeders to screen for inherited diseases, the results can then be used to help make sure that only healthy dogs are bred from. Responsible breeders should always health test the dogs they plan to use for breeding. To make sure you are buying a happy and health puppy, always ask to see the relevant health test results for both parents.
Latest news and blogs
The Puppy Contract
You can use The Puppy Contract, developed by the Animal Welfare Foundation and the RSPCA, to help you ask all the right questions, including questions about health testing, when buying a puppy.
The Assured Breeder Scheme
The Kennel Club Assured Breeder Scheme promotes good breeding practice and aims to work together with breeders and buyers to force irresponsible breeders, or puppy farmers, out of business.