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Dog DNA testing has become an essential part of modern breeding, preventive healthcare, and responsible dog ownership.
Across Europe, more breeders and owners are using genetic testing to screen for inherited diseases, confirm parentage, and make better long-term breeding decisions.
But which breeds are genetically tested most often?
The honest answer is that there is no single public pan-European database showing exactly how many DNA tests are performed for each breed.
Most of that information is held by commercial laboratories, while kennel clubs tend to publish breed registration figures and health-program reporting rather than direct breed-by-breed testing volumes.
That means the best way to answer the question is by looking at strong public data: breed popularity, kennel club registrations, the availability of breed-specific DNA panels, and published health-screening activity.
Not every breed is genetically tested at the same rate.
In Europe, the breeds most frequently tested tend to have a combination of three things: large population size, active breeding communities, and established health-testing programs.
Popular breeds naturally generate more demand because there are simply more dogs, more litters, and more breeding decisions being made.
Breeds with strong kennel club structures and health-conscious breed clubs also tend to show higher testing activity.
On top of that, when laboratories and kennel clubs offer breed-specific genetic panels, testing becomes easier to understand, easier to perform, and easier to adopt.
The Labrador Retriever stands out as the strongest candidate for the most genetically tested breed in Europe. Labradors rank highly across multiple countries in registration data, benefit from wide DNA panel availability, and show strong signals in structured health-screening programs.
That combination makes them a natural leader in canine genetic testing demand. Common Labrador DNA panels in Europe often include CNM, prcd-PRA, SD2, Stargardt disease, and macular corneal dystrophy (MCD).
For breeders and owners, Labradors are a classic example of why dog genetic testing matters: a large breed population combined with broad use in family, working, and sporting contexts creates consistent demand for health-focused DNA screening.
Golden Retrievers are another breed with very high genetic testing relevance across Europe. Their strong registration numbers in countries such as France, the UK, Sweden, and Finland, combined with robust health-screening culture and readily available breed-specific DNA offerings, place them near the very top of the ranking.
Because Golden Retrievers are so widely bred and owned, genetic testing has become an important tool for breeders seeking healthier lines and more informed mating decisions. For Golden Retrievers, the most commonly included genetic tests are usually GR-PRA1, GR-PRA2, and prcd-PRA, often grouped in one breed-specific package.
German Shepherd Dogs remain one of Europe’s most established and widely recognized breeds, and they also rank high in likely DNA testing volume. High registrations across several countries, combined with strong health-screening signals and dedicated DNA package availability, make them one of the most important breeds in the European testing landscape. German Shepherd testing most often focuses on degenerative myelopathy (DM), MDR1, haemophilia A, and pituitary dwarfism.
This is exactly the kind of breed where testing is often seen not as an optional extra, but as a core part of structured breeding practice.
Australian Shepherds have become exceptionally prominent in parts of Europe, especially in France, where registration numbers are particularly strong. Their combination of rising popularity and active health management gives them a very high likelihood of frequent DNA testing.
They are a good example of a breed whose testing demand is driven not only by long-term tradition, but also by modern popularity and an engaged breeder community. In Australian Shepherds, breeders most commonly look for MDR1, CEA, hereditary cataract (HSF4), DM, and bobtail/NTB-related variants.
The English Cocker Spaniel ranks highly because of its strong presence in both the UK and France, plus continued visibility in Nordic registration data. With breed-specific testing options available, it is one of the clearest examples of a breed where popularity and testing infrastructure reinforce one another.
The most common DNA tests for English Cocker Spaniels are AMS, familial nephropathy (FN), and prcd-PRA. Recently AON test has been gaining on popularity due to severety of symptoms of this disease.
AON- Adult Onset Neuropathy causes progressive weakness first in the hind limbs and later in the front limbs, along with difficulties in coordination, movement, and even swallowing. These challenges can severely affect a dog’s quality of life.
When all Dachshund varieties are considered together, the breed ranks among the most likely to be heavily genetically tested in Europe. Very high UK registrations, strong registration numbers in France, and breed-specific package availability all support its place near the top.
Because the breed exists in multiple varieties, Dachshunds also illustrate an important point in dog DNA testing trends: testing demand may be split across subtypes, but remain substantial in aggregate.
Dachshund panels frequently include cord1/crd4-PRA, other PRA forms, osteogenesis imperfecta, and neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL).
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier also appears as a high-confidence breed in proxy-based estimates.
Staffordshire Bull Terrier genetic screening commonly centers on L-2-hydroxyglutaric aciduria (L-2-HGA), hereditary cataract, and persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous (PHPV/PHTVL).
Strong UK and French registrations, combined with breed-specific package offerings, suggest that it is one of the breeds most likely to contribute significant DNA testing volume in Europe.
Poodles rank strongly, especially when all varieties are considered together. While registration volume alone is moderate compared with top retriever breeds, multiple breed-specific packages increase the likelihood of frequent testing activity.
Even if they are not always the single largest breed by registration count, they often have a very mature genetic testing ecosystem.
For Poodles, commonly used DNA tests often include prcd-PRA, neonatal encephalopathy with seizures (NEWS), degenerative myelopathy, and von Willebrand disease.
French Bulldogs remain one of the most commercially important companion breeds in Europe, and they also rank among the breeds most likely to be genetically tested. Their high registrations in the UK and France, along with a strong commercial testing ecosystem, support their position in the top tier.
French Bulldog panels often include CMR1, cystinuria, degenerative myelopathy, hereditary cataract, RLS and IVDD/chondrodystrophy-related variants.
For many veterinary and breeders, French Bulldogs are one of the clearest examples of a breed where health awareness and demand naturally drive testing uptake.
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has long been associated with health-focused breeding discussions, and public proxy data suggests it remains one of the more commonly genetically tested breeds in Europe. High registration figures in both the UK and France, along with breed package availability, support that conclusion.
The most common Cavalier DNA tests are episodic falling syndrome (EFS), dry eye curly coat syndrome (DECCS/CKCSID), and often DM or prcd-PRA. Special note for MMVD test as it's been one of the most requested for Cavaliers in last couple of years.
Just below the leading group are several breeds that also appear highly relevant in European dog DNA testing: Rottweiler, Beagle, Shetland Sheepdog, and Border Collie. These breeds combine meaningful registration presence with breed-specific offerings and, in some cases, notable health-screening activity.
It is important to be precise here: this is not a direct count of every DNA test performed in Europe. Public breed-level testing volumes remain scarce. Even major kennel clubs and laboratories typically publish service information, health reports, or registration numbers rather than exact testing totals by breed. France’s LOF Select dashboard is one of the closest public indicators because it reports large numbers of recorded genetic-test results, but even that is not a full Europe-wide lab-volume database.
Understanding which breeds are most commonly genetically tested helps explain where canine health management is heading in Europe.
For breeders, it shows where health planning is already well established. For veterinarians, it highlights breeds where DNA information is increasingly relevant in preventive care and breeding advice. For owners, it shows that genetic testing is becoming part of mainstream dog health decision-making, especially in popular and heavily managed breeds.
Dog DNA testing continues to grow with each year passing.
So, which dog breeds are most commonly genetically tested in Europe?
Based on the strongest public indicators currently available, the leaders are Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, German Shepherd Dog, Australian Shepherd, English Cocker Spaniel, Dachshund, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Poodle, French Bulldog, and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, with Rottweiler, Beagle, Shetland Sheepdog, and Border Collie also ranking highly.