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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.
Reemergence of H1N1 Influenza Virus in Cats Raises Concerns for Humans and Pets March 1, 2011
The H1N1 influenza virus that caused great concern in 2009 has recently reemerged in cats who contracted the disease from humans.
Battling the Bulge February 18, 2011
Recent surveys suggest that 25 to 40 percent of dogs visiting veterinary clinics are overweight or even obese. This article provides healthy diet advice for overweight dogs.
Mean Seeds: A Threat to Your Sporting Dog? February 7, 2011
The most recent AKC Canine Health Foundation grant to benefit sporting dogs investigates “mean seeds” and the role they play in grass awn migration disease. In the sporting dog world, there is a perception among owners that there has been a dramatic escalation in the incidence of grass awn migration disease in the last 20 years.
Going on Offense Against "Mean Seeds" January 3, 2011
Approval of a grant request submitted by Professor William K. Lauenroth of the University of Wyoming for a study entitled “Assessment of CRP Plantings of Grasses with Barbed Seeds” constitutes a major step forward in addressing the escalation in recent years of illnesses (and sometimes fatalities) in dogs, generally viewed as attributable to infections resulting from barbed grass awns.
Major Histocompatibility Complex and Autoimmune Disease in Dogs September 13, 2010
The Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) can best be described as the factory floor of the immune system. An autoimmune disease is basically a condition where something “goes haywire” with the codes produced by the MHC, and the body basically turns on itself.
Canine Aggression August 30, 2010
How to recognize and handle canine aggression.
Canine Compulsive Behavior August 30, 2010
Canine Compulsive Disorder can be perplexing and frustrating for dog owners, but with some effort the behaviors can be prevented or treated.
Noise Phobia in Dogs August 30, 2010
Noise phobia is an excessive fear of a sound that results in the dog attempting to avoid or escape from the sound. There are ways you can ease your dogs fear and treat the condition.
The Importance of Purebred Dog Research August 24, 2010
Canine behavior and physical characteristics are endlessly fascinating for those who breed, show or trial dogs, but discoveries based on genetic research in individual breeds may ultimately have spin-off benefits for not only other dogs but their fellow mammals, too, including us humans.
Discovering Your Dog’s Hidden Health August 2, 2010
Genetic tests can uncover problems before they arise, or prevent them altogether. They are of great importance to breeders and to pet owners alike.
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.
