US – Friday, July 30

Water dog aids disease studies

Scientist explains why it’s a unique breed

The water dog, a Portuguese breed famously chosen by the first family as their pet, just happens to be the dog most studied in the world — and that was before Bo Obama came along.

Not only are the dogs hypoallergenic, but scientists also expect to extract from the dogs’ genes clues to help fight diseases such as cancer, osteoarthritis and hypothyroidism.

“All dogs come from an initial group of around 30 animals,” explains Kevin Chase, the main researcher from Utah University’s Georgie Project, which studies Portuguese water dog genetics.

“When we look to the water dogs’ genetic markers, they separate into a few big groups instead of many small ones. If they had separated into many small groups, we would not be able to see the effect of genes so easily.”

So far, the research has shown insights into canine genetics as well as if certain animals are prone to certain diseases. Breakthroughs include finding “a locus [the exact place where the gene is found] to osteoarthritis, for hip dysplasia and also for Addison’s disease [chronic adrenal insufficiency],” Chase says. And because humans and dogs get many of the same diseases, it’s hoped this research can one day be used on humans.

The Georgie Project has used about 1,000 water dogs for its study, to no detriment to the dog; a kit is sent to owners to collect blood and hair samples and a vet takes a full-doggie X-ray. But there have been others used from outside of the U.S. as well.

“We have some that came from Portugal and others that are direct descendants from Portuguese animals,” Chase says.