Cancer Research & the Goldendoodle

About this Episode

One of the breeds at highest risk for developing cancer is the hugely popular Golden Retriever. About 60 percent of all Golden Retrievers will die from cancer – 57 percent of females and 66 percent of males. The two most common types of cancer in this breed are hemangiosarcoma and lymphoma.

Why is this relevant to doodle owners? Whatever is common in a golden retriever can be an issue for a goldendoodle. Sadly, a number of our Doodle Kisses members have lost goldendoodles to cancer.

Our guest is Dr Kelly Diehl, senior director of science & communication for the Morris Animal Foundation, which is the organization currently conducting The Golden Retriever Lifetime Study. The Golden Retriever Lifetime Study is a $32 Million study, an amazing comprehensive study of GR's through their lifetime. This study is collecting a huge amount of data on GRs: spay/neuter ages, swimming and water temp, how dog was obtained, health conditions, pedigree, exposure to certain environments/chemicals and more! The information collected will hopefully provide a ton of clues into cancer and other health issues that are common to Golden retrievers.

Episode Links

• The 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.
• Donate to the Golden Retriever Study — Consider a donation to this study to support golden retriever research that will benefit all dogs!
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