Knowledge Hub
Access valuable information to help pet owners and veterinarians improve canine health and quality of life.
Heart Health Research
The AKC Canine Health Foundation (CHF) supports research into canine heart health, focusing on heart development, structural disease, arrhythmias, diagnostics, therapeutics, surgery, and enabling technologies.
Read MoreResearch Updates from the 2019 AKC Canine Health Foundation National Parent Club Canine Health Conference
The AKC Canine Health Foundation (CHF), a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the health of all dogs and their owners, hosted the 2019 National Parent Club Canine Health Conference in St. Louis, MO on August 9 – 11, 2019. The biennial event, sponsored by Purina, brought together researchers, American Kennel Club (AKC) Parent Club members, […]
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Hearts to Heal: Advancing Care at the Final Stage of Canine Heart Disease
In some forms of heart disease, the most severe stage progresses to congestive heart failure. At this point, the heart can no longer pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs. Fluid begins to accumulate in the lungs or abdomen, breathing can be difficult, and daily life grows harder for both dogs and the people […]
Read MoreUpdate on Mitral Valve Disease Research
Mitral valve disease (MVD) is a condition where, over time, the mitral valve of the heart degrades. The heart is separated into 4 chambers; top and bottom, left and right. The upper chambers are the atria (singular atrium) and the lower chambers are the ventricles. There are valves which are in place between each of […]
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Hemangiosarcoma Research
The AKC Canine Health Foundation (CHF) funds research to better understand hemangiosarcoma, an aggressive cancer, with a focus on developing advanced diagnostics and more effective treatments.
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Hearts to Heal: Canine Research with the Power to Impact the Heartbeat of Every Dog
February is a month filled with hearts – on cards, in shop windows, and wrapped in ribbons. At the AKC Canine Health Foundation (CHF), February is also a time to reflect on the hearts that matter most to us: the hearts of dogs. This month, we’re shining a spotlight on research that goes beyond symbols […]
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Philanthropy Improves the Health of Golden Retrievers
MEDIA CONTACT:Sharon AlbrightManager of Communications and Veterinary OutreachAKC Canine Health FoundationPhone: 919-334-4019Email: Sharon.Albright@akcchf.org News Release For Immediate Release RALEIGH, NC (September 16, 2019) – The AKC Canine Health Foundation (CHF) has a long-standing relationship with the Golden Retriever Foundation (GRF) to support their dedication to improving the health of Golden Retrievers. The Golden […]
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Hearts to Heal: Improving How We Measure Canine Heart Disease
For families living with a dog diagnosed with heart disease, the hardest moments are often the quiet ones. A follow-up appointment. A new test. A conversation that ends with the words, “Not yet, but we need to watch this closely.” Knowing when to act can be just as important as knowing how to treat it. […]
Read MoreAKC Canine Health Foundation Announces Semifinalists for Inaugural Canine Health Discovery of the Year Award
MEDIA CONTACT:Trent BrownCommunity & Public Relations DirectorAKC Canine Health FoundationE-mail: trent.brown@akcchf.orgPhone: (919) 334-4029 News Release For Immediate Release Raleigh, NC (October 14, 2025) – The AKC Canine Health Foundation (CHF), a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of all dogs through research and discovery, is excited to announce the discoveries, and the researchers […]
Read MoreDonor-Originated Grants
Go Back Donor-Originated Grants (DOGs) Join the AKC Canine Health Foundation (CHF) by directly supporting groundbreaking research that addresses the health needs you care about most. Inquire Now × Donor Originated Grants Advancing Canine Health Together We value collaboration in advancing canine health. Through our Donor-Originated Grant (DOG) program, organizations can partner with us to […]
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Diet-Related Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Dogs
Introduction When Trisha Brenner’s energetic Weimaraner, Charlie, suddenly collapsed during a walk, she was devastated and confused. Charlie had always been healthy, aside from some early skin issues that were resolved with a special diet. But that same diet was later linked to a serious heart condition. This breakthrough in canine health research explores the […]
Read More Orapup and the AKC Canine Health Foundation Announce Partnership to Raise Awareness and Funds for Pet Health
Orapup, the first tongue cleaner to beat bad dog breath, and the American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation, Inc. (CHF) today announced a strategic partnership to advance canine health by raising awareness and funding scientific research. As part of the partnership, Orapup will contribute a portion of sales from www.orapup.com to CHF and help increase […]
Read More02046: Using a Novel Combination of Drugs to Treat Arrhythmia and Heart Failure in Dogs
Grant Status: Closed Grant Amount: $33,060 Janice McIntosh Bright, DVM, BSN; Colorado State University January 1, 2014 – June 30, 2018 Sponsor(s): American Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club Charitable Trust, Chihuahua Club of America, Saluki Health Research, Inc., Irish Wolfhound Club of America, Inc., Staffordshire Terrier Club of America Breed(s): -All Dogs Research Program Area: […]
Read More AKC Canine Health Foundation Announces New Executive Leadership
MEDIA CONTACT:Sharon M. Albright, DVM, CCRTManager of Communications & Veterinary OutreachAKC Canine Health FoundationPhone: 919-334-4019E-mail: sharon.albright@akcchf.org News Release For Immediate Release RALEIGH, NC (October 18, 2021) – The AKC Canine Health Foundation (CHF), a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the health of all dogs, announces new executive leadership. Dr. Darin Collins is the Foundation’s new […]
Read MoreOak Grants
Oak Grants These grants support large-scale research projects requiring more than $30,000 in funding, with an emphasis on scientific discovery to address canine health priorities. Request for Proposal Application Guidelines Selection Process Funding Eligibility Grant Reporting Requirements Purpose of this Grant The Oak Grants – named after Raleigh, NC, the “City of Oaks” and headquarters […]
Read MoreAKC Canine Health Foundation Announces Finalists for Inaugural Canine Health Discovery of the Year Award
MEDIA CONTACT:Trent BrownCommunity & Public Relations DirectorAKC Canine Health FoundationE-mail: trent.brown@akcchf.orgPhone: (919) 334-4029 News Release For Immediate Release Raleigh, NC (December 3, 2025) – The AKC Canine Health Foundation (CHF), a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of all dogs through research and discovery, is excited to announce the discoveries, and the researchers […]
Read More01866-A: Enhancing Treatment of Mitral Valve Disease through the Identification of Biological Markers of Disease
Heart disease, specifically chronic valvular disease (CVD), is a common disease in aging dogs. All dogs can develop this disease, but small breed dogs and especially the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel have a higher risk. Typically, all Cavaliers over the age of 10 years of age are affected. The disease is easy to diagnose, because […]
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AKC Canine Health Foundation Celebrates $3.4 Million in Awarded Research in 2022
MEDIA CONTACT:Sharon M. Albright, DVM, CCRTManager of Communications & Veterinary OutreachAKC Canine Health FoundationPhone: 919-334-4019E-mail: sharon.albright@akcchf.org NEWS RELEASEFor Immediate Release RALEIGH, NC (December 28, 2022) – The AKC Canine Health Foundation (CHF), a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the health of all dogs, announces another successful year awarding canine health research grants and educational programs. […]
Read MoreEarly Career Investigator
Go Back Early Career Investigator Program This program supports individuals in the first stage of their career as independent investigators focused on improving health outcomes for dogs. This award is designed to foster research that advances the health of dogs while also investing in the careers of the next generation of veterinary scientists. Request for […]
Read MoreInvestigating Diet-Related Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Dogs – It’s Complicated
In July 2018, the FDA alerted pet owners and veterinarians about increased reports of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs. Affected dogs were not breeds or mixes thereof known to have a genetic predisposition for DCM and they were often reported as eating diets with peas, lentils, other legume seeds (pulses), and/or potatoes in various forms […]
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