Details about the disease
The condition is caused by a quantitative or qualitative deficiency of von Willebrand factor (vWF), a protein that plays a central role in blood clotting. Von Willebrand's disease vWD usually comes in three types, type I, type II and type III. Type III is a severe bleeding disorder with a high risk of spontaneous bleeding as well as a risk of serious bleeding from trauma and surgery. Type I is a less severe form.
Clinical signs
Dogs with vWD are prone to nose bleeds, bleeding from the gums, and prolonged bleeding during heat or after whelping. There may be prolonged bleeding from the umbilical cord at birth or when the pup sheds its baby teeth. Excessive bleeding after surgery or trauma is common, and may be the first sign of this condition in your dog. You may see blood in your dog's urine or stool. The clinical effects reported can range dramatically, with some dogs bleeding profusely, while others hardly showing any signs of bleeding at all.
How is it inherited?
The disease is described as an autosomal-recessive condition. This means that a dog must inherit two copies of an abnormal gene (one from its mother and one from its father) before its health is affected. A dog that inherits only one copy of the abnormal gene (from its mother or its father) will have no signs of the disease, but will be a carrier and may pass the gene on to any offspring.
Which laboratories test for this condition?
Two lists of laboratories that test for vWD can be found below.
Laboratories that send a copy of your dog's results straight to The Kennel Club, so you don't have to.
| Laboratories | Contact details |
|---|---|
| The Kennel Club DNA Testing Services (UK) Available as part of an all-in-one health test package for:
|
Read more about The Kennel Club DNA Testing Services |
| Animal DNA Diagnostics (UK) | Phone: 01223 395577 Email: Animal DNA Diagnostics Web: www.animaldnadiagnostics.co.uk |
| Animal Genetics (UK) | Phone: 01726 247788 Email: Animal Genetics Web: www.animalgenetics.eu |
| Laboklin (UK) | Phone: 0161 282 3066 Email: Laboklin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory Web: www.laboklin.co.uk |
| Pinmoore Animal Laboratory Services (UK) | Phone: 01829 781855 Email: Pinmoore Animal Lab Services Web: www.palsvetlab.co.uk |
Where will your dog's results be published?
DNA test results from these laboratories are sent directly to The Kennel Club and are recorded on to the dog's record in the registration database, and are published:
- in the next available Breed Records Supplement
- on our Health Test Results Finder
Laboratories that do not send a copy of your dog's results to The Kennel Club. You'll need to do this yourself.
| Laboratories | Contact details |
|---|---|
| Antagene (France) Not available for the Papillon. |
Email:
Anta gene
Web: www.antagene.com/en |
| DDC Veterinary (USA) Only available for the following breeds:
|
Email:
Vet DNA Center
Web: www.vetdnacenter.com |
| Genetic Technologies (Australia) Only available for the following breeds:
|
Web: www.animalnetwork.com.au |
|
Genomia (Czech Republic) |
Email: Genomia Genetic LaboratoryWeb: www.genomia.cz
|
| MyDogDNA (Finland) Only available for the following breeds:
|
Email:
My Dog DNA
Web: www.mydogdna.com |
| Paw Print Genetics (USA) | Email:
Paw Print Genetics
Web: www.pawprintgenetics.com |
| Van Haeringen (Holland) Only available for the following breeds:
|
Email:
Van Haeringen Genetics
Web: www.vhlgenetics.com |
How to submit DNA test results to The Kennel Club
The laboratories listed above do not send your dog's DNA test results to The Kennel Club. To have these results placed on your dog's record please submit them yourself by scanning and emailing them to our health results team.
What we require on the results certificate
Please note that we require at least two forms of identification on the result certificate. These must include the dog's microchip or tattoo number along with either the dog's registered name or registered number. Results without these details cannot be accepted by us.
Where will your dog's results be published once you have submitted them?
DNA test results received by The Kennel Club are recorded on to the dog's record in the registration database, and are published:
- in the next available Breed Records Supplement
- on our Health Test Results Finder
Breeding advice and what your dog's results mean
If, once your dog is DNA tested, you would like to find out what their DNA test results mean, or how to select the right mate to avoid producing affected puppies, then please read our breeding advice and DNA testing information.
How to find out if a potential mate has been DNA tested
The Kennel Club’s Health Test Results Finder allows you to find the results of DNA tests carried out as part of The Kennel Club's official DNA testing schemes for any dog on The Kennel Club’s Breed Register.