Updated January 28, 2026 – Dogs bring us joy year in, year out, and offer a lifetime of companionship and love. Too often, that time is cut short by disease, cancer and chronic health conditions. Through the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study, researchers are answering critical questions about canine health at a scale and depth never before possible, accelerating discoveries that can help dogs live longer, healthier lives.
The Study’s primary goal is to identify the incidence and risk factors for four major canine cancers: hemangiosarcoma, osteosarcoma, lymphoma and high-grade mast cell tumors. But the depth and breadth of data gathered have far greater potential to answer many more questions about canine health.
Beginning in 2017, the Foundation launched special calls for research proposals, inviting scientists to use Study data for projects that advance all areas of canine health. To date, 34 researchers have been granted access to the data and samples, though they typically must secure their own funding.
In 2025 alone, six new studies began (with more under review), and nine scientific publications were released using Study data. Here’s a look at some of the remarkable progress made possible by Hero dogs, their families, researchers and supporters like you, just last year.
NEW STUDIES USING DATA AND SAMPLES
Awarded on a rolling basis throughout the year, 2025 saw several exciting projects get off the ground, including:
- Researchers at Colorado State University will use Study data to validate an innovative tool for measuring chronic stress in dogs. They’ll then develop a model to predict stress-related health risks, helping improve well-being and extend dogs’ healthy years through early detection and prevention.
- Using biological samples from the Study, a team at Lincoln Memorial University will search for new biomarkers that enable early diagnosis of hemangiosarcoma. If successful, these results could point toward biomarkers in other breeds and provide the basis for a future diagnostic test.
- In the first longitudinal study of PFAS (“forever chemicals”) in dogs, researchers at North Carolina State University are investigating how exposure to PFAS affects the development of hypothyroidism in golden retrievers. Findings could benefit both canine and human health.
- Building on the Study’s neuropathology initiative, researchers at the University of California, Irvine, are examining brain tissue from Angel Hero dogs to identify indicators of cognitive decline, work that may also inform Alzheimer’s research in people.
- Virginia Tech researchers are using Study data to explore how diet type influences cognitive health in dogs. Poor diet quality has been linked to cognitive decline in people, and this project will help determine if the same holds true for dogs.
- Using Study data, researchers will examine how environmental exposures such as household chemicals, lawn treatments, and air pollution may influence the risk of hemangiosarcoma in golden retrievers. By identifying exposures linked to higher risk, this work could point to practical prevention steps and help reduce cancer risk over a dog’s lifetime.
2025 PUBLICATIONS
Publications in peer-reviewed journals represent the highest level of scientific rigor and allow Study findings to reach veterinarians, researchers and animal lovers around the world. In 2025, nine publications included findings based on Study data and samples.
- Significant changes in blood counts and biochemistry were observed during the first two years of life and throughout aging in Study dogs. Using these data, researchers developed a biological aging clock to predict age and mortality risk, highlighting the value of blood analysis in canine aging research. (Aging Cell, January 2025)
- Measuring urinary concentrations of herbicides in Study dogs with and without lymphoma, researchers found that all dogs had detectible levels of the herbicides, however there were no differences in exposure levels between groups. (Veterinary and Comparative Oncology, March 2025)
- A genome-wide association study for body condition score identified the gene DENND1B, linked to greater body fat in both Labrador and golden retrievers. The same gene is also associated with obesity in humans. (Science, March 2025)
- In Study dogs, key predictors for cancer development included time in the study, exercise frequency, pace, and duration – especially swimming – underscoring the role of exercise intensity in cancer risk. (Veterinary Oncology, May 2025)
- In this observational cohort study, researchers found certain household factors affect dog health and behavior. Dogs from single-dog homes had increased odds of dog-directed fear and poorer trainability. Sleeping in an owner’s bed increased the likelihood of a dog’s aggression toward strangers and reduced their trainability. Living in more densely populated neighborhoods also raised aggression risk. (Preventive Veterinary Medicine, June 2025)
- Researchers found associations between diet and behavior: high-protein diets correlated with increased dog-dog rivalry, while low-protein diets were linked to more separation-related behaviors. (Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association, July 2025)
- At the time of diagnosis, dogs with lymphoma were found to have increased breakage of DNA strands as compared to those without lymphoma. DNA strand breaks were also found to be positively correlated with volatile organic compound (VOC) exposure and herbicide concentrations. These findings suggest that environmental chemical exposure may contribute to DNA damage preceding lymphoma. (Veterinary and Comparative Oncology, August 2025)
- Researchers identified rates of ear infections in the Study cohort and documented antimicrobial and topical ear product use. Nonprescription treatments were used five times more often than prescriptions, underscoring the importance of owner education and complete medical histories. (Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association, August 2025)
- A genome-wide analysis linked specific genetic regions to behavioral traits such as trainability, activity level and fearfulness in golden retrievers. These same regions have also been associated with emotional and cognitive traits in humans in past research. (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, November 2025)
A FUNDED STUDY
In April 2025, for the first time, a project using Golden Retriever Lifetime Study data and samples was selected for funding through Morris Animal Foundation’s competitive Scientific Advisory Board review process.
Researchers at Colorado State University are examining how exposure to wildfire smoke affects the health and longevity of golden retrievers. While smoke inhalation in animals is well studied, little is known about the unique impacts of wildfire smoke. The findings from this research could inform future legislation, veterinary curricula, and health practices benefiting pets, livestock, wildlife, and people alike.
STUDENT PROJECTS
The impact of the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study even goes beyond the veterinary research community. In summer 2025, two Master of Public Health students at the Colorado School of Public Health used Study data to complete graduate projects, improving our knowledge about canine health, while also preparing them for future research careers.
One project found that there was no association between water source (well versus municipal) and cancer risk in the cohort. The second project provided an overview of canine cognitive dysfunction in the cohort. Of note, dogs with mild cognitive dysfunction symptoms averaged 9.7 years of age, while those with moderate symptoms averaged 11.4 years.
WHAT’S NEXT
Thanks to the dedication of the Study team, participants, veterinarians, supporters, and Hero and Angel Hero dogs, the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study continues collecting data, awarding research access, publishing findings and training future scientists to improve the health of dogs everywhere.
Your support powers this work. Honor the dogs who give you a lifetime of love with your gift for National Golden Retriever Day on February 3 (or any day of the year!). Donate to the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study today to help advance the science that gives the dogs we love longer, healthier lives.
