Genetic diversity is important to maintain healthy dog populations and produce healthy dogs.  Genetic diversity is the range of genetic material available - it can refer to diversity within a species, breed or within an individual dog.

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Within a breed, some dogs are more genetically diverse than others. Genetic Diversity is essential to maintaining soundness, vigor, reproductive fitness and longevity in a breed. Research has linked a lack of genetic diversity to increasing genetic health problems in dog breeds.

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Higher Genetic Diversity in a population  = Increased health, longevity and reproductive fitness (larger litter sizes and increased puppy survival)

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Higher Genetic Diversity in an individual  = Reduced risk of diseases being expressed

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Our current-day Flat-coated Retriever population has a low level of genetic diversity for a variety of reasons which include:

• The breed being originally developed from a handful of founding dogs

• Genetic bottlenecks, especially after WWII

• “Popular sires”, and “popular lines” that produce a larger percentage of puppies

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Genetic Diversity Testing

The good news is that we have some new tools for measuring diversity in individual dogs that can help us retain the diversity that we have. Genetic diversity testing is available through UCDavis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory (VGL) and other companies, such as Embark and Wisdom Health. BetterBred is a database and analytical tool that uses the results of the UCDavis genetic diversity test to provide an analysis of the results for individual dogs and compare them with other flat-coats in the database. The FCRSA supports and recommends BetterBred/UCDavis for genetic diversity testing in flat-coats because of the tools and analyses that it offers to breeders. As of  late 2024, there are over 750 flat-coats in the BetterBred database.

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Selecting for genetic diversity does not mean that breeders cannot also select for breed type, working ability, temperament and all of the aspects that we love about the breed. One of the most genetically diverse dogs in the database is a National Specialty Best of Breed winner!

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How to Test Your Dog

• Order your test from the UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory website ​

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• The cost is $85 USD.

•  After receiving your kit in the mail, swab your dog according to the instructions, and return the swabs to the Veterinary Genetics Lab. A simple cheek swab is used to collect DNA. You will receive a certificate with your dog’s results.

• After receiving your certificate please go to                                 create a free public membership and Submit Your Dog to be included in the database.

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Status of Genetic Health in Flat-Coats UCDavis report 

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Check out the most recent genetic diversity statistics of the Flat-Coated Retriever

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FCRSA Genetic Diversity Team

Liz Saunders, Aubrey Harris, & Barb Krieger

If you have any questions about genetic diversity or need help ordering tests or interpreting your dog’s results, please contact the team at 

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