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Background Measurement of plasma concentration of natriuretic peptides ( NPs) is suggested to be of value in diagnosis of cardiac disease in dogs, but many factors other than cardiac status may influence their concentrations. Dog breed potentially is 1 such factor. Objective To investigate breed variation in plasma concentrations of pro-atrial natriuretic peptide 31-67 (pro ANP 31-67) and N-terminal B-type natriuretic peptide ( NT-pro BNP) in healthy dogs. Animals 535 healthy, privately owned dogs of 9 breeds were examined at 5 centers as part of the European Union ( EU) LUPA project. Methods Absence of cardiovascular disease or other clinically relevant organ-related or systemic disease was ensured by thorough clinical investigation. Plasma concentrations of pro ANP 31-67 and NT-pro BNP were measured by commercially available ELISA assays. Results Overall significant breed differences were found in pro ANP 31-67 ( P < .0001) and NT-pro BNP ( P < .0001) concentrations. Pair-wise comparisons between breeds differed in approximately 50% of comparisons for pro ANP 31-67 as well as NT-pro BNP concentrations, both when including all centers and within each center. Interquartile range was large for many breeds, especially for NT-pro BNP. Among included breeds, Labrador Retrievers and Newfoundlands had highest median NT-pro BNP concentrations with concentrations 3 times as high as those of Dachshunds. German Shepherds and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels had the highest median pro ANP 31-67 concentrations, twice the median concentration in Doberman Pinschers. Conclusions and Clinical Importance Considerable interbreed variation in plasma NP concentrations was found in healthy dogs. Intrabreed variation was large in several breeds, especially for NT-pro BNP. Additional studies are needed to establish breed-specific reference ranges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]