Scheme launched to help combat dental hypomineralisation in the breed
The Kennel Club has approved a new, official DNA test reporting scheme, to help combat inherited disease in the border collie.
The new scheme is for reporting dental hypomineralisation – or Raine’s syndrome – in the breed and has been approved following a consultation with the breed health coordinator.
Raine's syndrome is described as an autosomal-recessive condition that is known to affect border collies- with signs often appearing at an early age. Dogs affected by the condition have weaker teeth than is normal. Leading to pain and tooth decay.
Border collies that have been tested will be recorded on the Kennel Club system as one of the following:
- Clear: The dog is highly unlikely to be clinically affected as it does not have any copies of the abnormal gene associated with the disease. It will only pass on a normal copy of the gene to offspring
- Carrier: The dog is very unlikely to be clinically affected but it has one copy of the normal gene and one copy of the abnormal gene associated with the disease. It may pass either of these genes on to puppies
- Affected: The dog has two copies of the abnormal gene and is likely to be clinically affected by the disorder. It will also pass one copy of the abnormal gene on to any potential offspring.
Test results will be added to the dog’s registration details. This will lead to the publication of the test result in the next Breed Records Supplement, as well as on the Kennel Club's online Health Test Results Finder.
For more information, please visit the Kennel Club Website.
The latest 
