A new website has been created covering the genetics of the dog, www.doggenetichealth.org. This new easy to use website has been developed by the Kennel Club and Publitek, and funded by the John MacDougall Educational Resource and is aimed at dog breeders and owners.

The site covers the fundamental aspects of genes, what they are, how they work and how they are inherited. Central to the new site is the Canine Genetics Laboratory. Based on the inheritance of coat colour in the Labrador Retriever, the genetics laboratory allows visitors to breed virtual litters of Labradors and in so doing better understand the inheritance of coat colour and the role of chromosomes as the vehicles that carry genes from one generation to the next. This virtual breeding concept is further expanded on the site to include the inheritance of diseases, using progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) as an example.

Said Dr Jeff Sampson, Canine Geneticist and founder of the website "This new innovative site will not only be a great learning tool to anyone interested in genetics and how genes work, it will also be of great value to GCSE students who are studying the genetic aspects of their syllabus."

Dr Sampson continued; "The Kennel Club’s main aim is for the general improvement of the dog. It is hoped by developing a website which makes the genetic makeup of the dog easy to understand, those with an interest in dogs can learn more about the dog and help ensure the healthy breeding of pedigree dogs."

The Kennel Club would like to encourage links to and from this site to other relevant websites. If you are aware of a website that would be suitable and of interest, please contact Ahilan Navaratnam, The Kennel Club, 1-5 Clarges Street, London W1J 8AB or email anavaratnam@the-kennel-club.org.uk