Health Testing for ENGLISH SPRINGER SPANIELS

It is important to stress that English Springer Spaniels usually live long and healthy lives.  Nevertheless, although not widespread, some inherited disorders are known to exist and there are certain health tests that should be carried out by breeders to reduce or eliminate the risk of producing affected dogs. 

Understanding the different types of health tests available

Health tests fall into two categories: Genetic (DNA) and Clinical.

Genetic (DNA) Tests:

Genetic tests are available in many breeds for known, simple, inherited disorders.  They analyse a dog's DNA to determine if it is genetically Clear, a Carrier or Affected for a specific disease caused by an identified, single recessive genetic mutation.  Each DNA test only needs to be carried out once in a dog's lifetime and can be done at any age.  (Note: Very young puppies should be tested after they have been weaned, in order to avoid any cross-contamination from the mother's milk.)

Genetically Clear dogs have two normal copies of the gene associated with a particular health disorder.  These dogs don't have the disorder and CANNOT pass on a faulty copy of the gene to their offspring.

Genetic Carriers have one normal copy and one faulty copy of the gene in question.  Carriers don't have the disorder themselves but CAN pass on a faulty copy of the gene to their offspring.

Genetically Affected dogs have two faulty copies of the gene in question.  They are affected by the condition (even if not showing any clinical signs) and will ALWAYS pass on a faulty copy of the gene to their offspring.

Why use DNA tests?

DNA tests enable breeders to avoid the risk of producing dogs affected by certain inherited health conditions, by ensuring that at least ONE parent in any mating is genetically CLEAR of the mutations that cause particular conditions.  They also enable essential genetic diversity to be preserved, by allowing for the safe use of Carriers if they offer many desirable breed characteristics that might otherwise be lost, provided those dogs are otherwise in excellent health, with good results from other screening tests, and provided they are only mated to dogs that have been confirmed as genetically Clear.  Over time, the aim is to reduce the number of Carriers in the gene pool, thereby reducing the frequency of the mutation and, eventually, eliminating it.

Further information and breeding advice on DNA Testing and Inherited Disorders can be found on the KC Website.

DNA tests for English Springer Spaniels:

ESS DNA tests are routinely available for Fucosidosis, PRA Cord1, Acral Mutilation Syndrome (AMS), Phosphofructokinase Deficiency (PFK) and Dyserythropoietic Anaemia and Myopathy Syndrome (DAMS). 

Official Kennel Club DNA Schemes are in place for all the above DNA tests, which means the results are automatically sent to the Kennel Club by the testing laboratory.  They are then added to each dog's registration record and published on the Kennel Club's online Health Test Results Finder, making the results freely and easily accessible to everyone.

Since 2023, a DNA test has also become available for Paradoxical Pseudomyotonia (PP), but this is not currently recognised by the KC as a relevant/priority test for the breed and the results are not recorded on KC registration records.  

Other DNA tests may be offered by some testing laboratories, but they are not recognised as priority tests for ESS and the results are not recorded by the KC.

All the above DNA tests require saliva samples from inside a dog's mouth, which can be easily collected using a cheek swab kit (supplied by the testing laboratories).  Tests can be ordered online from each laboratory and the results are usually advised within 3 - 10 working days from receipt of sample.  Discounts are offered by some laboratories when ordering more than one DNA test for an individual dog or when some tests are on special offer.

Clinical Health Tests:

Clinical health tests are used for disorders where DNA tests are not available.  They include tests for complex inherited disorders that are often caused by a number of different genes, and/or where the mode of inheritance is not straightforward.  Clinical tests involve a physical examination of the dog to see if it has any clinical signs of a particular disorder.  Clinical tests don't determine the genetic status of a dog for a disease and, importantly, they cannot identify any hidden genetic 'carriers'.  Nevertheless, they are a valuable tool in helping to identify dogs that are clinically free from certain inherited disorders, as well as those affected by or at risk of developing them.

A dog's genetic status for any inherited disorder will never change, which is why DNA tests only need to be carried out once in a lifetime.  However, their clinical status can change, particularly for 'late onset' diseases that may not develop until a dog is middle-aged or even older.  For that reason, clinical eye tests should be repeated over the course of a dog's breeding life - click on the link below for details of the recommended frequencies for each test.

Results of clinical health tests are recorded in different ways, depending on the test.  Some are recorded as 'clinically unaffected' or 'clinically affected', others use grading or scoring systems, which rate to what degree the dog is affected by the condition.  Click on the link below for details of how results are recorded for each test.

Official BVA/KC Health Schemes for Hip, Elbow and Eye Testing:

The Kennel Club and the British Veterinary Association jointly operate official health schemes for Hip Dysplasia, Elbow Dysplasia and Inherited Eye Diseases.   The schemes have been developed over many years, and aim to provide scientifically based expert opinion to identify those dogs that are clinically free of such diseases, in order to help conscientious breeders make the best possible choices for their breeding programmes.

Results of all clinical tests carried out under the official schemes are automatically added to each dog's registration record and published on the Kennel Club's online Health Test Results Finder and in the KC Breed Records Supplement.  

Where To Find Officially Recorded Health Test Results (UK Registered ESS):

Individual Dogs: Go to the Health Test Results Finder and enter the registered name of the dog.  All its official health test results (both clinical and DNA tests) will be shown, including whether they are 'hereditary' clear for any of the above genetic conditions.

Lists of DNA Tested Dogs: Go to the English Springer Spaniel section of the KC website. Scroll down to 'Health' and click on 'More about health'.  Under 'Priority health schemes and tests', you can then click on lists of English Springer Spaniels that have been tested as DNA Clear, Carrier or Affected for Fucosidosis, Cord1 PRA, AMS and PFK.  ** Please note: 'Hereditary' clear dogs are not included in these lists.

THE KENNEL CLUB HEALTH STANDARD FOR ENGLISH SPRINGER SPANIELS

In January 2025, The Kennel Club launched a new Health Standard aimed at promoting good breeding practice and increasing the uptake of health testing before breeding.  The new Standard categorises KC recognised health tests for each breed, to help breeders prioritise tests that should be carried out before breeding and highlight those considered to be the most important tests puppy buyers should be looking for.  The summary below explains what the Health Standard is about and how it applies to ESS: 

Kennel Club explanation of how ESS health tests have been prioritised in the Health Standard:

• Hip scoring and elbow grading are listed together in the 'Good Practice' (foundation) category because:

(a) Published data show both hip and elbow dysplasia meet the KC’s criteria of at least 10% breed prevalence for inclusion in this category;

(b) There is published evidence that shows some association between hip and elbow dysplasia in dogs;

(c) If a dog is being x-rayed for hip scoring, it is easy to x-ray its elbows at the same time. 

• Eye testing (both standard and gonioscopy) are listed together in the ‘Good Practice’ category because:

(a) Although there are some low prevalence eye conditions included here, testing priority has been based on the most prevalent eye condition, PLA, which is above the 10% prevalence threshold for inclusion in the ‘Good Practice’ category;

(b) As all eye tests are carried out under one eye scheme, routine eye testing for all the other relevant eye conditions can also be carried out at the same time as gonioscopy (for PLA), therefore the tests have been prioritised together.

• DNA tests (AMS / DAMS / FUCO / PFK / Cord1 PRA) are grouped under ‘Best Practice’ because:

(a) These genetic disorders are known to exist in the UK ESS population, but there is very little data on how common the associated mutations are in the population;

(b) There’s no evidence that any of the disorders are prevalent or increasing in frequency. 

Nonetheless, the above DNA tests are relevant and, to meet ‘Best Practice’ level, all of them should be carried out before breeding, along with all the tests listed in the 'Good Practice' category.  

Crucially, maintaining genetic diversity is a top priority for ESS breeders under the Health Standard, alongside health testing.  It's important to remember that not all health conditions can be tested for and 'health tested' doesn't mean the same as 'healthy'.  Guidance on how to manage and maintain genetic diversity can be found on the KC website HERE.

More information about the Health Standard can be found on the Kennel Club website HERE. 

OTHER IMPORTANT ADVICE FOR PUPPY BUYERS

If a breeder claims that the sire and/or dam of their litter have been health tested, ask to see all the relevant test certificates.  Official health test results for any KC registered dog can be verified on the KC website Health Test Results Finder – just enter the full KC registered name of the dog (making sure it is spelt correctly).

To help you with what questions to ask a breeder, there is some excellent guidance on the Kennel Club website.  You may also find it useful to look at the Puppy Contract on the RSPCA website.

To sum things up overall, the advice we would give is to ask breeders about the above ESS health tests and assess their reaction.  If they just dismiss the whole idea of health testing, that’s a red flag to walk away. If, on the other hand, they are happy to answer your questions and you are satisfied with their answers, then that’s a positive sign of an informed and responsible breeder.

For further advice, including how to spot a puppy farmer or dealer, visit our 'Buying an ESS Puppy' page.