Participate in Research
Canine health researchers throughout the country are looking for dogs to help them better understand disease. In some cases, you and your dog need to live close to the research institution. In other cases, you can participate no matter where you live. Learn more about the significant impact you can make on canine health research through your participation.
Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) DNA Repository
The CHIC DNA Repository, co-sponsored by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) and the AKC Canine Health Foundation (CHF), collects and stores canine DNA samples along with corresponding genealogic and phenotypic information to facilitate future research and testing aimed at reducing the incidence of inherited disease in dogs. DNA samples from any purebred dog may be submitted at any time. Researchers may then access these samples to be included in their canine health studies. Learn more at the CHIC website. |
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Clinical Trials
If your dog has recently been diagnosed with a disease, there may be a clinical trial in your area investigating a treatment for that disease. Enrolling in a clinical trial brings with it a commitment to follow through on therapies and testing. The benefits can include access to cutting-edge medicine and the chance to help future generations of dogs. Use the Individual Research Projects search engine below or review these resources for finding clinical trials.
Sample Submission
The AKC Canine Health Foundation funds canine health research, but does not directly accept samples on behalf of our funded researchers. Biologic sample submission and participation requirements vary by study, so please contact the study center directly to determine which, if any, opportunities match your current situation. Use the Individual Research Projects search engine below to review current opportunities.
Individual Research Projects
Search for a study by the below criteria to narrow the selection. More information may be obtained by selecting an individual project.
Do Dog Breeds Differ in Pain Sensitivity?
Duration of antibiotic therapy for canine superficial pyoderma: Is the one-week post resolution of clinical signs a valid rule-of-thumb?
Genetics of Idiopathic Epilepsy in Labrador Retrievers
Microbial and Cytokine Signatures of Periodontitis in Dogs
Characterization of Sensory Neuronal and Muscle Pathology in Canine Degenerative Myelopathy to Identify Targets for Therapeutic Intervention
Evaluation of Serum miRNA as a Diagnostic Tool for Canine Splenic Hemangiosarcoma
Optical Coherence Tomography for Margin Evaluation of Canine Skin and Subcutaneous Neoplasms
Identifying Early Stage Ultra-rare Mutations as Predictive Biomarkers of Lymphoma in High-risk versus Low-risk Breeds Within the Dog Aging Project
Genetic Contribution to Early-onset Osteosarcoma
The Pathologic Link between Lung and Gut: Diagnosis of Aerodigestive Disorders in Dogs
Immunoprofiling to Combat Canine Immune Thrombocytopenia
Genetics of adverse reactions to anesthetic and sedative drugs in Chow-Chows
Medical Resolution of Gallbladder Mucocele Formation in Dogs
Clinical and Molecular Genetic Analysis of Juvenile-Onset Laryngeal Paralysis in American Staffordshire Terriers
Assessment of Circulating Inflammatory Mediators in Dogs with Tracheal Collapse
The Impact of Lidocaine Administration on Natural Killer Cell Populations in Canine Sepsis
Searching for the Cause for Alopecia X by Whole Genome Sequencing
Genetic Basis of Canine Spinal Abnormalities
Evaluation of Gallbladder Motility in Dogs with Hyperlipidemia
Breed Specific Reference Ranges for Canine Thyroid Testing
*The AKC Canine Health Foundation ensures studies are Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) approved and provide standard informed owner consent information before publicizing requests for participation. Not all projects listed are funded by the AKC Canine Health Foundation and the inclusion of information about studies does not necessarily imply a recommendation for participation. This list is provided as a service to dog owners and breeders.
Help Future Generations of Dogs
Participate in canine health research by providing samples or by enrolling in a clinical trial. Samples are needed from healthy dogs and dogs affected by specific diseases.