Our Funding Strategy

The Foundation supports research projects that focus on diseases and conditions benefiting Portuguese Water Dogs, primarily through collaboration with the Canine Health Foundation (CHF) and Morris Animal Foundation (MAF).

Additionally, we actively fund health research projects specific to the needs of Portuguese Water Dogs. These dedicated Portuguese Water Dog research opportunities must go through a peer-review process to ensure the quality and relevance of research, and to help maintain the objectivity and credibility of the funded project.

Our Process

Research funded through the CHF and MAF adheres to established deadlines for researchers to submit their projects for review and acceptance. These deadlines occure throughout the year and are regularly a part of a particular health concern initiative. Upon request, CHF and MAF provide a comprehensive list of approved projects that have successfully undergone scientific review.

The Foundation’s selection process involves identifying CHF and MAF projects that address diseases or conditions of concern to the Portuguese Water Dog. Although some research may involve other breeds, it is important to note that the outcomes benefit all dogs with that particular condition. Our goal is to focus on the research and how it applies to health concerns within the Portuguese Water Dog breed, aiming for improved outcome in the health and longevity of our dogs.

We typically meet to review and fund grant proposals in the spring and fall of each year. If you have a specific interest or further questions about our review process we welcome your questions.

Recently Funded Research

 

Research GrantYearHealth Area
Protective Role for Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1) in Canine Cognitive Dysfunction2026Aging/Longevity
Combining Therapies to Improve Osteosarcoma Treatment2026Cancer
Mitochondrial Dysfunction and mtDNA Mutations in Canine Hemangiosarcoma: Novel Biomarkers for Early Diagnosis and Personalized Therapy2026Cancer
A combined sensor approach to examine volatile organic compounds as potential markers of canine hemangiosarcoma2026Cancer
Engineering a monoclonal antibody therapy for canine mast cell tumors2025Cancer
Canine Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation Residency Program-UPENN2025Orthopedics
The prevalence of Heterobilharzia americana in Portuguese water dogs in the United States2025Parasitology
Building a Portuguese Water Dog Reference Genome to Unlock Breed-Specific Health Insights2025Genomics
Studying Hemangiosarcoma Subtypes and Treatment Response2025Cancer
Advancing Canine Health: Liquid Biopsy for Early Relapse Detection and Improved Treatment of Mast Cell Tumors2025Cancer
Identification of Bartonella henselae Immunodominant Epitopes for Diagnosis and Prevention of Canine Bartonelloses2025Tickborne/Cancer
Towards Curative Outcomes in Canine Hemangiosarcoma2025Cancer
Canine Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation Residency Program2024Sports Medicine
Artificial Intelligence-based Image Analysis of Lymph Node Mast Cell Burden in Canine Cutaneous Mast Cell2024Cancer
Probiotic Prevention of GI Hyperpermeability and Metabolome Disturbances in Dogs with Multicentric Lymphoma Undergoing Multi-drug Chemotherapy2024Cancer
A Blueprint to Develop Next-Generation CAR T Therapy for Canine Lymphoma2024Cancer
Comparison of Clorazepate and Levetiracetam as Pulse Therapy for the In-Home Management of Cluster Seizures in Dogs with Idiopathic Epilepsy: A Pilot Study2024Epilepsy

Complete Funded Research