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?
Once genetic diversity is lost, it can be very difficult to recover, so understanding what diversity is present in the breed today can help us make the best use of it for future generations.
Reduced genetic diversity and increasing relatedness can be associated with poorer reproductive performance (less successful matings, smaller litters).
Some Sussex Spaniel breeders have reported some concerns around fertility. 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?
Unfortunately, we have a limited number of swabs, so the project is currently operating on an invitation basis only. As we are limited on which dog’s we can test, our Geneticist Dr J. Ilska has used our extensive pedigree database to select and rank dogs according to their impact and relevance to the wider Sussex Spaniel population.
As a result, those invited to participate will receive an email from our Health & Breeding Support Team with more information, and how they can provide their dog’s sample.
We are planning to swab as many dogs as possible in person at the Sussex Spaniel Association Championship Show. More information about the show can be found in the invitation as well our participant FAQs below.
If you have not received an invitation but own a registered Sussex Spaniel you would be happy to participate, you can register your interest with our online form here.
FAQs about the project
Who are the Roslin Institute?
The Roslin Institute is part of the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and the University of Edinburgh. It undertakes research on the health and welfare of animals and seeks to apply their findings in basic animal sciences to human and veterinary medicine and to improve livestock. It is best known for creating Dolly the sheep in 1996.
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 club encourages responsible ownership of the Sussex Spaniel and 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 pedigree database, our Geneticist Dr J. Ilska has collated a list of dogs (aged 0 to 10) and bitches (aged 0 to 6 ½) and ranked the dogs according to their impact and relevance to the wider breed population. We are aiming to swab as many dogs as possible at the SSA Championship Show, with remaining kits available for postage to those who are unable to join us.
Why are you selecting dogs from a specific age range?
This age range is the most likely to capture the current breeding age dogs, assessing what diversity is available in this gen
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 give breeders practical information to inform breeding decisions, and maintain a health, 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 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 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
We are planning to swab as many dogs as possible at the Sussex Spaniel Association Championship Show on 26th September 2026 at Sports Connexion, Leamington Road, Ryton on Dunsmore, Coventry, CV8 3FL.
If you wish to participate at the SSA Championship Show, you will need to indicate so on the swab kit registration form provided in the email invitation.
If your dog is not registered to show, you would also be required to register them prior to show entry.
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 participate, 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 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, and it is highly likely that we will have relatives in the UK who will be tested. If the dog is not resident in the UK, we will put them on a waiting list for any spare tests we may have.
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