Data Commons Frequently Asked Questions

What is Data Commons?

Morris Animal Foundation Data Commons is an open, free database available to the research and educational communities. Qualified individuals can gain access to data generated by the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study, one of the largest and most comprehensive longitudinal studies ever conducted in veterinary health research.

What kind of data is available?

Data Commons provides global access to historical data from the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study cohort, covering 11 key subject areas: activity, behavior, dental, disease diagnoses, diet, environment, grooming, geographical locations, medications, physical exams and reproduction.

How can I obtain a login?

Data Commons is freely available to academic researchers with approved credentials, which includes anyone with an affiliation with a university, nonprofit or government agency. After agreeing to the data use agreement, you’ll be guided through a series of steps to start the approval process. Anyone involved in commercial research must contact the Foundation directly if they want access to the data.

How many times can I log in with my credentials?

Your login credentials do not expire.

What are the terms of the data use agreement?

The agreement details publication requirements and how the data can and cannot be used. We encourage everyone to read the document closely and contact the Foundation with any questions.

What form is the data in?

When you define and download a data set, the data will be sent as a .csv file

If I have problems logging in or questions regarding the platform, who do I contact?

For login, password or other technical problems, contact us at [email protected]. We’ll respond to your email within 48 hours.

Once I download the data of interest can I get assistance with interpretation?

We cannot provide analytic help, but if you have general questions about the data you can contact us at [email protected].

Is it possible for a commercial entity to get access to data through Data Commons?

If you are involved in commercial research, you must contact us directly to discuss data access. These requests are handled on a case-by-case basis. Send your request and information to [email protected].

Is it possible to request additional data and/or biological samples?

Yes. If you’re interested in additional data sets or biological samples, contact [email protected] for more information.