AKC Canine Health Foundation, Inc.

Helps dogs live longer and stronger. Sponsors innovative, non-invasive genetic research that helps conquer canine diseases including cancer, degenerative myelopathy, heart and eye disease (helps people, too).

Why do we exist?

The American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation (CHF), established in 1995 by the American Kennel Club, raises the funds and awareness necessary to support non-invasive, innovative research benefiting both canines and humans.  Our goal is to help dogs and their owners live longer and stronger.

The AKC Canine Health Foundation, is the largest nonprofit worldwide to fund health research exclusively for canines. Our goal is to help dogs live longer, healthier lives. The AKC Canine Health Foundation is the leader in non-invasive genetic health research, stem cell research, and biotherapeutics benefiting both canines and humans.  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 $18 million in canine health research through 74 schools and research institutions worldwide. 

At the AKC Canine Health Foundation (CHF), our efforts center around a “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 the cures that will come from the collaborative efforts of researchers, veterinarians, breeders, and owners.

Research efforts in cancer, thyroid and eye disease, and epilepsy have proven effective in the prevention of disease.  Once genetic markers are identified and genetic health tools are developed, breeders can use these tools to “breed around” certain diseases and ailments – thus eliminating the problem in their line. 

What have you accomplished?

Since 1995, the CHF has been instrumental in ground-breaking and pioneering efforts in issues affecting our dogs.  $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 genome – the result:  a revolutionary tool that’s now available to all investigators that leads to faster results, definitive tests, and from the CHF led to the sequencing of the canine genome (a $2 million grant from the CHF led to $50 million in funding from the National Institutes of Health), in the fight against von Willebrand’s Disease (a rare bleeding disorder),

We funded the original study that identified a missing gene in blind Briard puppies’ eyes, leading to further research 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.

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