Canine Athlete & Performance Dogs

Canine sports medicine is an established veterinary specialty and field of study. Since the early days, the AKC Canine Health Foundation (CHF) has been committed to being at the forefront of this field - providing grants for cutting-edge research into orthopedic concerns, proper nutrition and conditioning to achieve maximum performance while preventing injury, and innovative rehabilitation techniques.

Since its founding in 1995, CHF and its donors have invested more than $2.8 million to advance the study of canine orthopedic disease and topics related to the health of performance and working dogs.

Why Study It?

• All dogs are athletes. Whether they chase squirrels in the yard, compete in agility, hunt with their owner, or enjoy neighborhood walks, they deserve the best care and treatment to help maximize their enjoyment in life.

• Physiologic adaptations for exercise and sport are often species-specific. Techniques adapted from human and equine sports medicine must be validated and tailored to the canine athlete.

• Cruciate ligament rupture is one of the most common orthopedic diagnoses in small animal practice and represents a significant financial burden for owners of affected dogs. A better understanding of the risk factors and preventive and treatment strategies for this condition will significantly impact quality of life for these families.

• Recovery from neurologic or orthopedic surgery is faster and more complete when rehabilitation therapy is added to the treatment plan. Additional study will refine and augment these treatment techniques.

• Breeding, raising, and training service and working dogs requires a significant financial investment. Studying ways to breed healthier dogs and keep them working longer benefits everyone - including the dogs.
  
  

Grants

Current CHF-Funded Studies

Articles