July 24, 2023 – As the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study turns 11 years old, it’s a great time for some updates on our Study cohort as well as additional Study-related research initiatives underway.
Study Cohort (As of April 2023)
- Of 3,044 dogs initially enrolled in the Study, 1,725 remain.
- Of the dogs no longer in the study, 830 are deceased, 365 are inactive, and 124 were withdrawn.
- The leading cause of death in our hero dogs is cancer, with approximately 70% of all cancer deaths attributable to hemangiosarcoma.
- The Study compliance rate is an astonishing 85%, far better than most longitudinal studies conducted in human medicine (thank you, Study participants!).
New & Ongoing Research Highlights
- More than 60 research collaborations are underway, with 14 complete and nine in exploratory conversations.
- In October 2022, the Foundation announced our Hemangiosarcoma Initiative to investigate the genetics of this devastating cancer, as well as potential treatments and cures.
- The Neuropathology Initiative, in collaboration with the Mayo Clinic in Arizona, is conducting initial pathophysiology scans of donated tissue and connecting those scans to the behavior questionnaire in the Study.
- More than 1,000 of our Study dogs also are enrolled in the adjunct Golden Age study, looking at canine cognition as well as osteoarthritis as Study dogs age.
The Study would not be possible without the dedication of our wonderful participants. THANK YOU!
