American Kennel Club and Canine Health Foundation Release Podcast about Responsible Breeding Practices [Thursday, December 17, 2009]

The American Kennel Club and the Canine Health Foundation are pleased to debut the next podcast in the Genome Barks series.

This week we welcome Dr. Jerold Bell, the Director of Clinical Veterinary Genetics Course at the Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. In this interview, Dr. Bell discusses why genetic testing is important, describes the different types of genetic tests and how to best use the test results.

The Genome Barks podcast series features lectures from the highly successful AKC-CHF Breeders Symposia and provides responsible breeders and pet owners an inside look at the work being done by the AKC and the Canine Health Foundation.

New podcasts are released every two weeks and can be accessed from either the American Kennel Club website at www.akc.org or the Canine Health Foundation website at www.caninehealthfoundation.org - click on "Podcasts." They are also available on Apple's iTunes® or directly at www.genomebarks.com.

Clubs are encouraged to add the Genome Barks Podcast link to their home pages. Contact the Canine Health Foundation to obtain graphics and links.

Click here to listen to the podcasts.

Click here to support important research at the Canine Health Foundation and please consider a recurring gift.

The Canine Health Foundation, founded in 1995, is the largest nonprofit worldwide to fund health research exclusively for canines. Our goal is to help dogs live longer, healthier lives. The Canine Health Foundation is the leader in non-invasive genetic health research, stem cell research, and biotherapeutics benefiting both canines and humans.  Through the generous financial support of the American Kennel Club and the Nestlé Purina PetCare Co., we’re proud to announce we have allocated nearly $24 million in canine health research through more than 75 schools and research institutions worldwide.

The American Kennel Club, founded in 1884, is a not-for-profit organization which maintains the largest registry of purebred dogs in the world and oversees the sport of purebred dogs in the United States. The AKC is dedicated to upholding the integrity of its registry, promoting the sport of purebred dogs and breeding for type and function. Along with its nearly 5,000 licensed and member clubs and its affiliated organizations, the AKC advocates for the purebred dog as a family companion, advances canine health and well-being, works to protect the rights of all dog owners and promotes responsible dog ownership. More than 20,000 competitions for AKC-registered purebred dogs are held under AKC rules and regulations each year including conformation, agility, obedience, rally, tracking, herding, lure coursing, coonhound events, hunt tests, field and earthdog tests. Affiliate AKC organizations include the AKC Humane Fund, AKC Canine Health Foundation, AKC Companion Animal Recovery and the AKC Museum of the Dog.

AKC, American Kennel Club, the American Kennel Club seal and design, and all associated marks and logos are trademarks, registered trademarks and service marks of The American Kennel Club, Inc.