A test for a common genetic disorder that affects Britain's most popular dog breed has been developed by scientists, providing a potential way for the condition to be controlled or even eliminated.

Between 3 and 5 per cent of labradors suffer from an inherited syndrome called exercise-induced collapse (EIC), in which the dogs lose control of their hind legs after strenuous activity.

Dogs with the condition, which was first observed in the 1990s, start to develop a wobbly gait after between five and fifteen minutes of exercise. Their body temperature rises, and they eventually lose almost all strength in their hind legs.

The collapsing episodes that follow last typically for five to ten minutes, and dogs usually recover completely within half an hour. Nevertheless, it is painful and distressing for the dog, and in rare cases it can be fatal.

It especially affects working dogs, during hunting and retrieving, as these animals are more likely than pets to engage in the prolonged bouts of exercise that can trigger EIC.

Labradors are easily the most popular pedigree dogs in Britain, with approximately 45,000 registered with the Kennel Club every year. The next most popular breed, the cocker spaniel, attracts about 20,000 registrations each year.

The recessive gene that causes EIC has been identified by researchers at the University of Minnesota, who have also developed a reliable test to detect it.

When dogs inherit two copies of a mutated version of a gene called dynamin 1, they develop EIC. About 37 per cent of labradors have a single defective copy; while they do not suffer from the condition, they have a one-in-four chance of producing affected puppies if they are mated with another carrier dog.

The test will allow breeders to determine whether their labradors are carriers, before deciding which dogs to mate with which bitches. “The test can not only help confirm the diagnosis but it can also help dog breeders ensure that no dogs inherit two copies of the mutated gene,” said Ned Patterson, one of the leaders of the study.

The procedure costs $65 (£35) and is available to British breeders and owners through the University of Minnesota veterinary diagnostic laboratory. The scientists, who have a patent pending, are in talks to license the test to British laboratories.

The research, which is published in the journal Nature Genetics, comes amid increasing concern at the prevalence of inherited disorders among pedigree dogs.

Last week, both the RSPCA and the Dogs Trust ended their associations with the Crufts dog show, after a BBC documentary that highlighted the dangers of inbreeding.

The programme alleged that highly inbred dogs suffering from known genetic diseases had won prizes at the dog show and at other Kennel Club events.

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