Scientists looking into how dogs age could be about to pave the way for breakthroughs in helping our four-legged friends live longer.
The Dog Ageing Project hopes to uncover the secrets to canine longevity.Researchers are going to study hundreds of ‘super dogs’ who’ve reached an exceptional age in a bid to figure out why they’ve lived so long.
Academics have poked holes in the concept of ‘dog years’, saying multiplying their age by seven doesn’t work as bigger canines tend to die younger than their littler cousins.
Growing up. While the Chow Chow dogs are well known for their distinctive blue-black tongues, they’re actually born with pink tongues. They turn blue-black at 8-10 weeks of age.
The project was founded in 2018 and studies tens of thousands of dogs of all sizes, breeds and backgrounds.
Experts want to take a particularly close look at the DNA of the 300 oldest dogs in ‘the pack’ to see if they can figure out what lies behind their long lives.
‘One part of the project that I am super excited about is a “super-centenarian” study, comparing the DNA of exceptionally long-lived dogs to dogs that live to the average age for their breed,’ says Prof Joshua Akey, a Princeton University geneticist.If you have an older dog with tooth troubles, add a little water or chicken broth to his or her kibble and microwave for 20 to 30 seconds.
‘This is the first study of its kind in dogs (to my knowledge), and I think it’s a clever way of trying to find genetic differences that contribute to exceptional longevity.’
The researchers explained their project and its potential implications for both human and veterinary medicine in an article published in the journal Nature.
Breathe easy. In addition to sweating through their paw pads, dogs pant to cool themselves off. A panting dog can take 300-400 breaths (compared to his regular 30-40) with very little effort.
‘Personally, I find this project exciting because I think it will improve dog, and ultimately, human health.’
He added: ‘We are sequencing the genomes of 10,000 dogs.
‘This will be one of the largest genetics datasets ever produced for dogs, and it will be a powerful resource not only to understand the role of genetics in ageing but also to answer more fundamental questions about the evolutionary history and domestication of dogs.’
The project, also known as the DAP, is expected to run for at least a decade, with more than 32,000 dogs having joined the so-called ‘DAP Pack’ so far.
No, it’s not just to make themselves look adorable. Dogs curl up in a ball when they sleep due to an age-old instinct to keep themselves warm and protect their abdomen and vital organs from predators.
They’re still ‘recruiting’ dogs of all breeds and ages – particularly puppies and youngsters up to three years old.
Owners will take annual surveys and some will need to collect cheek swabs for DNA sampling.
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