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Your Dog’s Health
We know that your dog's health is important to you. The information here will be helpful whether your dog is healthy or affected by a disease. Please remember that the AKC Canine Health Foundation does not have a veterinarian on staff, and this information cannot substitute for the advice of your veterinarian.
Disease Descriptions: general overviews of canine disease including prevention, symptoms, diagnosis, treatments and care.
Caring for Your Dog: information about dog training, safety, healthy weight, pet loss and much more.
Dog Health Articles: the articles below contain more detailed information on canine health issues. They can be filtered by research area.
Cranial Cruciate Ligament Rupture in Dogs April 22, 2013
CHF-funded researcher, Dr. Jeffery Biskup, discusses CCL rupture in dogs and the surgical treatment for this common orthopedic injury.
CHF is Committed to Groundbreaking Regenerative Medicine Research April 1, 2013
Regenerative medicine is chaning the landscape of modern medicine. Diseases that were once thought to be incurable are no longer hopeless, and injuries that were once debilitating are now treatable.
Update on Mitral Valve Disease Research January 31, 2013
Dr. Mark Oyama provides information on mitral valve disease and his on-going research to treat the condition.
Vigilance Key in Overcoming Mitral Valve Disease January 31, 2013
Two dog owners share their personal experiences with dogs diagnosed with mitral valve disease including participating in research on the disease. Mitral valve disease is a condition where, over time, the mitral valve of the heart degrades.
Keeping Dogs' Paws Healthy November 19, 2012
Since dogs spend so much time running, jumping, fetching and generally romping indoors and outside, is it any wonder that having healthy paws is so important for a dog's well being? A few simple steps will keep your dog's paws in good shape and help you recognize common ailments of the foot.
Beyond the Genome October 1, 2012
Beyond the genome, much progress has been made in our understanding of the regulation of health and disease. Developing a greater understanding of all of these mechanisms of disease development in the dog is critical and will likely help solve some of our most complex health problems – not just in dogs, but in humans too.
Supraspinatus Tendinopathy October 1, 2012
In the dog, supraspinatus tendinopathy is similar to rotator cuff injury in humans. The supraspinatus muscle is responsible for extension of the shoulder joint. Injury to the tendon of the supraspinatus muscle causes inflammation.
It's More than Just Bite! October 1, 2012
Part four of the four Series on Posture: Skull shape is one of the most biologically important variations in the dog, because changing the “default” cone-shaped head will change the size and shape of the brain case, the eyes, nose, teeth and airway. There are some health risks that are suspected to have associations with the size and shape of the dog’s head.
Brachycephalic Research Shows Body Condition Is Key to Thermoregulation September 19, 2012
Recent research by Michael Davis, D.V.M., professor of physiological sciences and director of the Comparative Exercise Physiology Laboratory at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, showed that a dog’s body condition score has an even greater impact on thermoregulation, or the ability to maintain a steady body temperature, than does being a brachycephalic breed. The AKC Canine Health Foundation and several parent clubs helped to fund the research.
Feet on The Ground July 1, 2012
Part 3 in a four-part Series on Posture: Our brains, and those of our highly intelligent companion animals, are hard wired to interpret critical information through the soles of our feet, and the sensory nerves in our leg joints, tendons and muscles.
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.
Learn How to Help
Browse our Research
Search our research portfolio to see what research we are funding on a particular disease.
Make a Tribute
When you make a memorial donation we will post a photo of your dog to our Celebration Wall gallery.
Tell Us Your Story
Why do you support canine health research? What motivates you in the fight against canine disease? We want to hear from you.
