The American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation (AKCCHF), established in 1995 by the American Kennel Club, raises the funds and awareness necessary to support non-invasive, innovative research benefiting primarily canines, but often humans as well. The largest nonprofit worldwide to fund health research exclusively for canines, our goal is to help dogs live longer, healthier lives. Through the generous financial support of the American Kennel Club and the Nestlé Purina PetCare Co., we’re proud to announce we have allocated more than $20 million to canine health research at universities and research institutions worldwide in areas such as the genetics of disease, clinical applications and educational programs. We’re confident that the research and studies we support will be of benefit to the veterinary community.

Courtesy CHF

Researcher Keith Murphy of Texas A&M and his two Golden Retrievers.

Our “three pronged approach” – that is, prevention, through the identification of the genes that cause disease; treatment to help the next patient in the door; and ultimately the cures that will come from biotherapeutics and advances in stem cell techniques – will be made possible by the collaborative efforts of researchers, veterinarians, breeders, and owners.

Since 1995, the AKCCHF has been instrumental in ground-breaking and pioneering efforts in issues affecting our dogs. Just over $2 million in funding to support the sequencing of the canine genome leveraged a $50 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to complete the project – the result: a revolutionary tool that’s now available to all investigators that leads to faster, more economical results, definitive tests, and applicability to breeders.

Research efforts in kidney and eye disease, as well as several neurological disorders, have proven effective in the prevention of disease. Once genetic markers are identified and genetic tests are developed, breeders can use these tools to “breed around” certain diseases and ailments – thus eliminating the problem while maintaining genetic diversity in the breed.

Courtesy CHF

Researcher Matthew Breen of North Carolina State University was instrumental in the mapping of the dog genome.

Because the canine and human genome is so closely related (we share over 80% of our genetic makeup and many diseases with our dogs) and we share the same environment, work in canine health research crosses over to human research as well – so, when you help our dogs, you are also helping your neighbors!

For example, the AKCCHF funded the original study that identified a missing gene in blind Briard puppies’ eyes, leading to further research supported by other organizations that developed a therapy to enable the blind puppies to see! The first puppies to receive this therapy are happy, healthy adults today and see as well as any dog. This disease, called congenital stationary night blindness, is similar to a disease that humans inherit, and investigations are currently underway to determine applicability in human medicine.

So, why is this important to you as a veterinarian? Ultimately, AKC CHF-funded research will allow you to provide your clients with faster, more accurate diagnoses, better, tailored treatments and hopefully cures to the debilitating diseases that not only affect your patients but their families as well. We encourage you to visit our website, www.akcchf.org, to learn about ongoing efforts to determine the causes of disease, and to share this information with your clients.

Other than financial support, the biggest roadblock to genetic discovery is participation! Therefore, we would love to have your contact information so that we can share these research innovations with you. Give our office a call – toll free at 888-682-9696 or email caninehealth@akcchf.org, and, we’ll provide you with a free Poisonous Plant Guide suitable for display in your clinic – just our way of saying thank you for your efforts to keep our canine companions happy and healthy. We look forward to working with you!