What is the Sussex Genetics Project?
The Sussex Spaniel is a vulnerable native breed, and careful management of the breed's genetic diversity is important for its long-term future. Good management relies on understanding the genetic diversity within the population and how individual dogs are related to one another.
While pedigree information has long helped us understand these relationships, technological advances now give us the opportunity to explore genetic diversity in even greater detail.
We are therefore piloting a new approach that will combine information sourced directly from DNA with the Royal Kennel Club’s extensive Sussex Spaniel pedigree database. By building a more complete picture of the breed’s genetic diversity, the project aims to develop an evidence-based management plan to support the breed’s future and give breeders practical information to inform breeding decisions, and maintain a health, sustainable Sussex Spaniel population for generations to come.
Why is the project important?
Genetic diversity gives a breed the variation it needs to remain healthy, adaptable and sustainable over generations. Once genetic diversity is lost, it can be very difficult to recover, so knowing where that diversity lies across the population can help us manage it more effectively for future generations.
When genetic diversity becomes depleted, a breed may begin to experience problems with health, fertility or overall wellbeing, although not all such problems are necessarily linked to reduced diversity. Some Sussex Spaniel breeders have reported some concerns around fertility, such as less successful matings or smaller litters. While we do not know whether poor genetic diversity is responsible, building a clearer picture of the population will help us understand whether there is a link, and if so, how best to address it.
In a small breed, every dog can represent an important part of the population’s genetic diversity. The more Sussex Spaniels that take part, the more comprehensive and valuable the project will be.
By taking part, participants can help us understand not only the genetic diversity of Sussex Spaniels but also may help support new approaches to genetic management across pedigree dogs more widely.
How can I take part?
Initially, the project is focusing on dogs of breeding age that have been identified, using the RKC’s extensive pedigree records, as representing different lineages across the Sussex Spaniel population. Owners of these dogs will receive an invitation from our Health & Breeding Support Team, with more information about the project and how to provide their dog’s DNA sample.
We would love to include every Sussex Spaniel, but the number of dogs we can genotype within this project is limited by the funding available. We are therefore initially inviting the dogs identified through our pedigree analysis.
We hope to collect as many samples as possible in person at the Sussex Spaniel Association Championship Show, where the RKC and Roslin Institute teams will be there to help your dog take part and answer any questions you may have about the project. More information about the show and sampling will be included in the invitation and in the participant FAQs below.
If your dog has not received an invitation but you own an RKC-registered Sussex Spaniel and would be happy for them to take part, please register your interest using our online form here. If additional places become available, this will help us identify other dogs that could contribute to the project.
FAQs about the project
Who are the Roslin Institute?
The Roslin Institute, part of the University of Edinburgh, is a world-leading research institute with expertise in animal genetics and genomics. Its scientists work to understand how genetics influences animal health and populations, and how this knowledge can be used to support their future management. It is best known for creating Dolly the sheep in 1996.
You can visit the Roslin Institute’s website here.
Who are the Sussex Spaniel Association?
The Sussex Spaniel Association (SSA) was founded on the 3rd of April 1924 at the Kensington Society’s Dog Show for the protection and the preservation of the breed. The Association encourages responsible ownership of the Sussex Spaniel to maintain its true characteristics and working ability. They are supporting the project on behalf of the breed community.
You can visit their website here.
How are dogs being selected for the project?
Using our RKC pedigree database, our Geneticist Dr J. Ilska has collated a list of dogs (aged 0 to 10) and bitches (aged 0 to 7) and prioritised dogs of breeding age that have already contributed to the next generation, alongside dogs representing different lineages across the breed. This approach aims to capture as much of the genetic diversity present in the living population as possible within the number of dogs we are able to test.
Why are you selecting dogs from a specific age range?
The project is focused primarily on dogs of breeding age because we want the findings to be useful for managing the breed going forward. These dogs are more likely to contribute to future generations, so understanding the genetic diversity they represent gives us the most relevant picture of the population available for future breeding.
What will happen to the results of the research study?
Results from this study will lead to published scientific articles, and presentations at national and international veterinary conferences. The project aims to develop an evidence-based management plan to support the breed’s future and provide breeders with practical information to help guide future breeding decisions, and maintain a healthy, sustainable Sussex Spaniel population for generations to come.
Who is organising and funding the research?
The research is a collaboration between Royal Kennel Club and the Roslin Institute, which is a part of the University of Edinburgh. The collaboration is actively supported by the Sussex Spaniel Association. The costs of the project are funded in full by the Roslin Institute. There are no costs to you as an owner.
Who has reviewed the study?
The research has been approved by the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies Veterinary Ethical Review Committee (VERC).
Who should I contact if I have any questions?
If you have any questions, you can contact the Royal Kennel Club’s Health & Breeding Support Team (health@royalkennelclub.com).
Where can I learn more about genetic diversity?
You can learn about managing and maintaining genetic diversity on our website here, or in our recent Small Populations Project infographic campaign on our Dog Health & Breeder News Facebook Page.
FAQs for participants
If you and your Sussex Spaniel have been invited to participate in this exciting project….
Participating at SSA Championship Show
The Sussex Spaniel Association Championship Show will be a key day for the project, and we hope to bring together and sample as many participating Sussex Spaniels as possible in one place. The RKC and Roslin Institute teams will be at the show on 26th September 2026 at Sports Connexion, Leamington Road, Ryton on Dunsmore, Coventry, CV8 3FL. Researchers involved in the project will also be there, so it will be a great opportunity to meet the team, ask questions and learn more about the research.
If you wish to participate at the SSA Championship Show, please indicate so on the swab kit registration form provided in the email invitation.
If your dog is not already registered participation in the show, you will be required to register them with the show organisers prior to show entry (due to insurance).
You can enter your dog as ‘not for competition’ (NFC) through your Fosse Data account. (Please note: Fosse Data registration will incur a charge, but the SSA will refund you if your dog is taking part in the testing).
If you do not have a Fosse Data account, you can complete an unentered dog form (there will be no charge for this) upon entry, alongside a consent form.
What if I cannot attend the show to participate?
If you cannot attend the show, we will be able to post any remaining kits directly to your home address for sampling. If your dog has been invited, you will need to register for a testing kit via the registration form provided in the invitation email. You can request a postal kit, rather than attending the show and a member of our Health & Breeding Support Team will be in contact.
Do I have to take part?
It is up to you to decide whether or not you wish your pet to take part in this research study. Even if you agree to participate, you are still free to withdraw your pet at any time and without giving a reason.
What are the possible benefits of taking part?
Your dog’s DNA will contribute to a much better understanding of genetic diversity within the Sussex Spaniel population. The more dogs that take part, the more complete and useful that picture will be.
The information collected will help the RKC and Roslin Institute to:
- understand how much genetic diversity remains within the breed and how it is distributed across the population
- identify genetically valuable or under-represented dogs and families
- develop practical breeding recommendations to help conserve genetic diversity and manage inbreeding
- explore how DNA information can complement pedigree records when planning for the breed’s future
- support the long-term health and sustainability of the Sussex Spaniel
- contribute to scientific research that could help develop better approaches to managing genetic diversity in other dog breeds in the future.
There may not be a direct benefit to your individual dog from taking part. However, by contributing their DNA, your dog can help support the future of the Sussex Spaniel while also contributing to research that may ultimately benefit many other breeds.
Will the data from my pet be kept confidential?
Yes. Before samples or data are shared with the Roslin Institute, the RKC will replace your dog’s identifying information with a unique study identifier. Roslin researchers will therefore work with anonymised study data and will not receive your name, contact details or other owner information.
At Roslin, access to the study data will be limited to researchers involved in the project. No owner personal data will be shared with Roslin or with any other third party as part of the project.
The RKC will retain the information needed to link the study identifier back to your dog so that the genetic results can be combined with relevant RKC pedigree information and used for the purposes described in the project.
What if I change my mind and don’t want to participate?
You can withdraw your pet from the study at any time. You can do this by emailing us via health@royalkennelclub.org.uk.
Does my dog need to have been bred to participate?
No, all dogs whether they have been bred from or not can take part subject to the criteria and enough tests being available.
My dog is imported. Can they be tested?
Yes, provided they meet the criteria and are registered with the RKC. We want a wide selection of dogs but at this time, we are limiting ourselves to dogs resident in the UK.
I live abroad but my dog was bred in the UK. Can they be tested?
We are currently focusing on dog’s residing in the UK. If the dog is not resident in the UK but represents potentially valuable lineages, we will add them to a waiting list and may be able to include them if additional tests become available.
Can my neutered dog be tested?
Although we are particularly interested in dogs who could potentially breed, we will offer testing to neutered dogs if there are enough tests available as they may still be relevant to the wider population.
Who should I contact if I have any questions?
You can contact our Health & Breeding Support Team via health@royalkennelclub.com