Introduction
Bone cancer, also known as osteosarcoma, in dogs is an aggressive cancer that typically affects the leg bones of middle-aged to older large dogs. Some breeds, such as the Irish Wolfhound, have a high rate of bone cancer at a younger age (less than five years old), suggesting a significant genetic influence. With funding from the AKC Canine Health Foundation (CHF Grant 02782: Genetic Contribution to Early-onset Osteosarcoma) and in collaboration with the Irish Wolfhound Foundation and Irish Wolfhound Club of America, investigators at the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine are studying the genetic basis of early-onset bone cancer in the Irish Wolfhound. Results will hopefully lead to a genetic test to guide selective breeding decisions for this breed.
Key Points
- Bone cancer (osteosarcoma) is highly aggressive and often fatal in dogs.
- Irish Wolfhounds are genetically predisposed to early-onset bone cancer.
- Researchers found a high heritability score of 0.65 for bone cancer in this breed.
- Four genes have been identified as potentially linked to the disease.
- A genetic test may help guide breeding decisions to reduce cancer risk.
Challenge Background
Osteosarcoma is a fast-moving and deadly cancer that primarily affects the leg bones of large, older dogs. By the time it’s diagnosed, it has often already spread throughout the body. Even with surgery and chemotherapy, the average survival time is only 8–11 months. Irish Wolfhounds are especially vulnerable, with some developing the disease before age five—suggesting a strong genetic component. This alarming trend prompted researchers to investigate the genetic factors behind early-onset bone cancer in this breed.
The Breakthrough
With support from the AKC Canine Health Foundation and collaboration with Irish Wolfhound organizations, researchers at the University of Wisconsin studied over 5,000 Irish Wolfhounds. They found that bone cancer in this breed is highly heritable, with a heritability score of 0.65, meaning genetics play a major role in disease risk. Building on previous studies that identified four genes potentially linked to osteosarcoma, researchers are now sequencing these genes in greater detail to pinpoint the exact mutations responsible.
Impact & Next Steps
This research could lead to the development of a genetic test that helps breeders make informed decisions to reduce the risk of bone cancer in Irish Wolfhounds. While bone cancer is complex and influenced by many factors, identifying key mutations in this breed is a major step forward. Future research will focus on refining these genetic findings and exploring how they can be applied in breeding programs and veterinary care. The ultimate goal is to decrease the incidence of this painful and deadly disease in dogs. Learn more about our work at akcchf.org/caninecancer
- Momen, M., Kohler, N. L., Binversie, E. E., Dentino, M., & Sample, S. J. (2021). Heritability and genetic variance estimation of Osteosarcoma (OSA) in Irish Wolfhound, using deep pedigree information. Canine Medicine and Genetics, 8(1), 9. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40575-021-00109-y
- Karlsson, E.K., Sigurdsson, S., Ivansson, E. et al. Genome-wide analyses implicate 33 loci in heritable dog osteosarcoma, including regulatory variants near CDKN2A/B. Genome Biol 14, R132 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1186/gb-2013-14-12-r132
