Overview

The Breed Relevance Rating (BRR) indicates the level of available evidence supporting the application of a specific genetic test, or clinical health assessment, for a specific breed/type. Currently, the relevance rating is based on a wide variety of evidence sources. This includes peer-reviewed research papers, recommendations from the original researchers/test developers, input from additional experts including veterinary specialists, and breed experts. It is hoped that, by being more informative about what we currently know or do not know about a specific test for a specific breed, that dog health advisors and owners can make more informed decisions. Remember, this Breed Relevance Rating is not everything we need to know about the disease or characteristic; it is focused on the test or assessment.

Direct-to-consumer genetic tests have provided greater access to many different breed-specific and general genetic tests for dogs. This has raised concerns from owners and breeders who need more guidance and direction in making informed testing decisions. To help with this, the Health Library database includes a simplified rating, indicating the amount of available evidence supporting the relevance of a specific genetic test for a specific breed/type. Introduced in 2026, we are now expanding this to include clinical health assessments and programs.


It is important when considering the ratings to understand that this effectively indicates how much we currently know or do not know about a specific test/assessment for a specific breed. This BRR rating does not necessarily indicate how “good”, or “bad” a test is. It also does not indicate the clinical importance of a test. Genetic tests and clinical programs should be used as tools within the Big Picture of health for any breed.

Ratings Description

Green = Some, moderate or strong breed-specific evidence from available research. The test is likely to be meaningful or recommended for this breed. As more research or other evidence supports the relevance and usefulness of the test/assessment, the rating may increase. A "some" rating indicates that there is breed-specific (or dog type) evidence supporting the use of the test/program.

Yellow = Currently no evidence of relevance for the use of this test in this breed, or the test is not known in this breed. This rating should be expected to change as evidence becomes available.

Orange = All current available evidence has been reviewed, but relevance is inconclusive, and/or the clinical form of the disease has never been seen in this breed.

Red = All current evidence indicates that the test is not meaningful or recommended in this breed.


What does it mean when there is a BRR for "ALL"?
Most tests were originally developed and offered for specific breeds. With the advent of panel testing, many Genetic Test Providers (GTPs) now offer some/many tests for 'All' dogs. Understandably, relevance may not be the same across all breeds. Where a BRR is assigned for "ALL" it is taking into account the research/relevance as it refers to dogs as a whole - breeds, crosses, and mixed dogs. Where the BRR is known to vary across breeds, the BRR may be assigned a yellow "unknown..." to indicate no consensus. If there are breeds within the "All" where the BRR would indicate that the test should not be used or is irrelevant, the "All" may be assigned an orange, "warning/caution" to indicate that there is no consensus, and usage in some breeds or types may be disadvantageous. Any green, "relevant..." BRR normally indicates a test that is understood to be universal across all dogs - such as genetic identification or parentage. It is important to note that where there is research/information for the test within a specific breed, that test will generally be listed as a breed-specific test, not simply under 'additional tests for All Dogs".

What is considered when estimating BRR?
The BRR rating is described as being an estimation. This best reflects the possibility that BRRs may change over time, as more evidence emerges and there is better understanding of the likely relevance of the test.

Currently there are 3,000+ combinations of specific breeds x specific test/clinical programs. Each of these has to be considered on a breed-by-breed (or type) basis. A yellow BRR in a breed occurs where a test is new and not yet reviewed, still in a research phase, or where all current evidence indicates that relevance is unknown. Any red, orange, or green BRRs arise from an evaluation of peer-reviewed scientific papers and consultation with experts - where possible including the original researchers behind the mutation discovery, as well as, additional geneticists, veterinary experts, and breed specialists.

A test is normally considered to have achieved a green BRR when it meets some basic levels of relevance to a breed/type. If there is a peer-reviewed paper, it should make a correlation between the genetic variant/assessment tested for and the description of the clinical disease/trait in the specified breed, at a minimum. This rating should give the user some confidence that what is being evaluated should be relevant to the breed. The green ratings get "stronger" as the strength of evidence increases; e.g. for genetic disease/disorder tests the likelihood of the variant being causal increases, as there may be additional research, genetics expert information, larger dog populations tested, variant frequencies estimated, evidence that using the test reduces the disease, etc.

The reverse is true as well. If a test is available and there is evidence that what is being evaluated is not causal for the disease/trait, or even that using the test may give false or inaccurate results or is simply not recommended by the original researchers for testing in the breed, then an orange or red BRR could be assigned. For example, in some breeds it is possible for a variant to exist in the breed, but it has been demonstrated repeatedly that for some reason the variant does not cause the condition being tested for, and/or the disease/condition has never been reported in the breed.

How do BRRs apply to my Breed?
The BRR is an estimate of the currently known research and understanding as it applies to specific breed(s)/types. If you are considering using the BRRs as a breed club, health adviser, or veterinary professional, one practical way to interpret it is as a scale of prioritization. For example, if a test has a green BRR rating of any level, it has likely been established that screening for this disease/phene is reasonable, and the results are relevant and could be used in breeding plans or strategies. A yellow BRR test may or may not be relevant, so finding out more about the test could be important in deciding if it's appropriate or should be prioritized. Orange and Red tests indicate that there is a recommendation of caution from the research community, and the test may not be applicable to the breed. Any clinical or genetic results should be considered in balance with the overall health of the dog, and in balance with many other breed-wide priorities, such as genetic diversity and conformation.

How do BRRs apply to my dog?
The BRR is an estimate of the currently known research and understanding of a disease/phene as it applies to specific breed(s)/types. Which tests should be prioritized for an individual dog, or how important a test result may be will vary depending on other factors - such as differences in global breed populations, individual dog risks (e.g. if a family member has a disease being tested for), and the reasons for testing (e.g. diagnostic, breeding plans, general screening...). No permanent or irreversible decision should be made about a dog based on a genetic test result alone. It is important to discuss any concerns with a veterinary professional and, if possible, a canine genetic advisor. Genetic test results in particular can apply primarily to breeding decisions and have no real impact on or meaning for the individual dog in its lifetime, such as a "carrier" result.


If you are a researcher or other expert, and believe a rating is inaccurate, or if you have data or test information you would like to share, please contact aimee.llewellyn-zaidi@ipfdogs.com.