Breed Club Patella Testing Schemes Explained

For virtually every pedigree dog breed recognised by The Kennel Club in the UK, there are known hereditary health conditions that can affect breed welfare across generations. Some issues arise from gene mutations, while others relate to physical conformation that can predispose dogs to certain problems.

Among the health concerns, patellar luxation is a condition where a dog’s kneecap slips out of its normal position, causing pain, lameness, and potentially requiring surgery. Although there is no official UK Kennel Club scheme for patella testing like there are for hips and elbows, many breed clubs in the UK have established their own schemes to test for this condition and promote responsible breeding.

In this article, we explore the workings of these breed club patella testing schemes, which breeds they cover, and how you can get your dog tested.

What is Patellar Luxation?

Patellar luxation is an orthopedic condition primarily affecting the kneecaps of dogs. Normally, the kneecap (patella) is held securely in place by muscles and ligaments. In affected dogs, due to conformational faults, the kneecap may slip partially or entirely out of its groove.

Sometimes this causes occasional lameness where the kneecap slips but then self-corrects. In more severe cases, the patella dislocates fully and may require surgical intervention to restore proper joint function.

Which Breeds Are Most Affected?

This condition mainly affects smaller breeds but can be seen in any breed due to conformation issues. Several breeds have higher incidences and breed clubs actively encourage testing within these breeds as part of their health improvement policies. These include:

• Pug puppies
• Griffon Bruxellois puppies
• German Spitz puppies
• Cesky Terrier puppies
• Miniature Pinscher puppies
• Affenpinscher puppies
• French Bulldog puppies
• English Toy Terrier puppies

How Does Patella Testing Work?

Patella testing is typically organised and overseen by breed clubs or societies experienced with the condition. Testing usually involves a physical examination by an experienced veterinary surgeon who assesses the dog’s patella stability without sedation.

The grading is carried out using the Putnam Patellar Luxation Grading System, which scores the condition from 0 to 4:

• Grade 0: Normal healthy knees, no luxation
• Grade 1: Patella can be luxated but returns to normal position
• Grade 2: Patella luxates and remains luxated until manually replaced
• Grade 3: Patella luxates easily and remains luxated, difficult to replace
• Grade 4: Permanent luxation that cannot be manually corrected

While physical examination is most common, some owners and clubs may choose radiographs (X-rays) to further evaluate the condition.

How to Get Your Dog Tested for Patellar Luxation

Any dog owner can arrange testing with a qualified vet; however, for those owning breeds with breed club programmes, membership usually is required to have the test result officially recorded in the breed’s database.

Being part of a breed club not only contributes to breed health monitoring but also gives breeders reliable information to select healthy dogs for mating, reducing the chance of passing patellar luxation to puppies.

The test typically costs around £50, though prices vary depending on the vet and region, and this does not include any additional radiology fees.

Documented good patella scores can enhance the trust of prospective puppy buyers, as it shows breeders are proactively managing hereditary health issues.

Responsible Breeding and Patella Testing

Patellar luxation is considered mostly hereditary, so breeding dogs with moderate to severe luxation (Grade 2 and above) is generally discouraged to improve the breed’s future health.

Breed clubs play a vital role in encouraging responsible health testing and education of breeders to select dogs with better patella scores, contributing to overall improved breed welfare.

Getting involved in breed club patella testing schemes is a proactive step that supports ethical breeding practices and helps reduce the incidence of painful hereditary conditions in puppies.

Summary and Key Takeaways

• Patellar luxation is a condition where the kneecap slips out of place, impacting a dog’s movement and quality of life.
• Testing schemes are mostly managed by breed clubs in the UK, as no official Kennel Club scheme currently includes patellar scoring.
• Testing is done via physical exam using the Putnam grading system, which scores 0 (healthy) to 4 (severe luxation).
• Dogs scoring above Grade 1 are usually advised not to breed to prevent passing the condition on.
• Membership in breed clubs is typically needed to have the test results officially recorded and contribute to breed health knowledge.
• Testing helps breeders make informed decisions, assures puppy buyers, and supports sustainable breeding practices.

For more information about responsible dog breeding and health testing schemes, visit The Kennel Club Health Testing page.