Golden Retriever Lifetime Study
The Golden Retriever Lifetime Study is one of the largest, most comprehensive prospective canine health studies in the United States. The Study’s purpose is to identify the nutritional, environmental, lifestyle and genetic risk factors for cancer and other diseases in dogs. Each year, with the help of veterinarians and dog owners, the Foundation collects health, environmental and behavioral data on 3,000+ enrolled golden retrievers.
Connecting researchers with dog lovers and veterinarians to advance animal health.
The Golden Retriever Lifetime Study will help identify nutritional, genetic and environmental risk factors for cancer and other important diseases in dogs. Results will provide comprehensive data on diseases and other health challenges, including cancer. Findings will be used as a launching point for multiple health studies in dogs.
Golden Retriever Lifetime Study Request for Proposals
Qualified individuals may gain access to Golden Retriever Lifetime Study data and/or samples including but not limited to whole blood, urine, hair and toenails. These projects will contribute to the understanding of nutritional, environmental, lifestyle and genetic risk factors for cancer and other diseases in dogs.
Data Commons
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. New data resources are available now.
Golden Retriever Lifetime Study Publications
- Cohort Profile: The Golden Retriever Lifetime Study
- Environmental Exposures and Lymphoma Risk: A Nested Case–Control Study using the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study Cohort
- Endoparasitism of Golden Retrievers: Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Associated Clinicopathologic Changes
- Variation in Biochemistry Test Results between Annual Wellness Visits in Apparently Healthy Golden Retrievers
- The Golden Retriever Lifetime Study: Assessing factors associated with owner compliance after the first year of enrollment
- Age at Gonadectomy and Risk of Overweight/Obesity and Orthopedic Injury in a Cohort of Golden Retrievers
- The Golden Retriever Lifetime Study: Establishing an Observational Cohort Study with Translational Relevance for Human Health
- Population Characteristics of Golden Retriever Lifetime Study Enrollees
- Inbreeding Depression Causes Reduced Fecundity in Golden Retrievers
- Hemangiosarcoma in the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study Cohort: Morris Animal Foundation's Great Challenge (Poster)
Golden Zoomies
Have you had a chance to watch Golden Zoomies? The webinar series features presentations on a variety of canine health topics including cancer, nutrition and more. Watch all the webinars in the playlist on our Youtube Channel!
Golden Retriever Lifetime Study Embedded Projects
- Training Pathologist to Support Golden Retriever Lifetime Study (Active)
- Examining the Fecal Microbiome in Golden Retrievers (Complete)
- Assessing Risks Related to Genomic Estimation of Inbreeding (Complete)
- Updating Normal Blood Testing Ranges (Complete)
- Looking for Links between Lifestyle, Gut Microbiome and Obesity (Active)
- Looking at Diet and Heart Disease in Golden Retrievers (Complete)
- Gauging Parasite Risk in Golden Retrievers (Complete)
- Identifying Genetic Factors Associated with Obesity in Golden Retrievers (Active)
- Assessing Blood Testing for Early Detection of Lymphoma (Complete)
- Investigating Transmission and Disease Risk of COVID-19 in Dogs (Active)
- Identifying Commonly Used Antimicrobials for Infectious Disease (Active)
- Understanding Heartworm Medication Use (Active)
- Assessing Pet Owner Influence on Multi-Year Study Success (Active)
- Studying Toxin Exposures and Canine Lymphoma (Active)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Have additional questions about the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study? Whether you're a participant or just interested in learning more, find answers to commonly asked questions about the Study.
Golden Retriever Lifetime Study
Foundation Announces Call for Golden Retriever Lifetime Study Proposals

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