Genetic Disorders of Portuguese Water Dogs: Changing Dog Healthcare

The Portuguese Water Dog is working in the field of genetic research; Efforts could shed light on the nearly 300 genetic disorders shared by dogs and humans.

For 15 years, Portuguese Water Dogs have been part of an unprecedented collaboration between owners, breeders, and scientists to build a valuable bank of information on genetic disorders.

“The goal is to be able to know which diseases the dogs are predisposed to in advance,” says Dr. Karl G. Lark, a biologist at the University of Utah who spent his career studying soybeans before turning his attention to Portuguese Water Dogs. “Personalized medicine for dogs is not a fantasy. It will occur in the next few decades, and as it occurs it will drive new drugs for humans. If there are pharmaceutical means to prevent the dog from getting sick or dying, they’re going to be developed.”

The research might not have happened without Karen Miller, a breeder concerned about Addison’s disease, an autoimmune disorder found in dogs and humans.

After Lark’s Portuguese Water Dog died, he asked Miller for a new puppy. “I’m giving you a very expensive dog for free so you’ll feel guilty and work on dog genetics,” he recalls her urging.

Lark was skeptical—until Miller sent him the lineage of 5,000 dogs. The breed’s small genetic variation but vast physical variation proved ideal, and The Georgie Project, named for Lark’s deceased dog, was launched.

Studies on Genetics and Genetic Disorders Begin

Lark, now 80, had the advantage of having a successful career behind him. “One of the things you can do when you’re old is take risks that a young person in science simply can’t afford to do,” he says.

While Lark bit, granting agencies questioned his intentions: Dogs?  Why not work with mice? 

“I guess people didn’t think you could work dogs the same way as with human genetics,” he says.

When funding came through, Miller spread the word to fellow breeders. X-rays and blood samples started rolling in.                                                                                               

A few years later, Lark would have questions of his own. “I began wondering, what about the spleen, stomach, lungs? What can we learn about them? I was curious about the state of health at the time of death.”

But would owners send their deceased dogs for autopsy?

Dog Necropsy: Sad, but a Huge Help in Studying Genetic Disorders

“It’s one thing to recruit dogs for x-rays, quite another when you’re waiting for dogs to die and hoping that their owners aren’t so repulsed by the idea that they won’t do it,” he says.

But the initiative has been a success. The Georgie Project receives between 50 and 70 dogs a year from all over the country, and has performed more than 250 necropsies to date.

With a kit ordered in advance, pet owners wrap the deceased dog in plastic, put it on ice, and over-night it to the university. The cremated remains are returned in a brick-sized cedar box with a thank-you note.

“It was a little gross, but I was amazed that everything was included—a cooler, directions, a shipping label, tape and plastic bags,” says Leslie Arner, who’s sent four dogs, representing three generations, for necropsy from San Diego where she works in biotech sales. “You know you’re going to lose your dog sooner or later, but you feel like you’re contributing something. It makes it a little less painful.”

Genetic Disorders and Future Treatment

Addison’s has turned out to be genetically complex.  “Even if we knew everything about it, it’s not something a breeder could breed away from,” laments Lark.

But the dog autopsies are proving valuable. Ultimately, what they’re uncovering could lead to human-style healthcare so that disease and ailments could be thwarted through changes in diet, lifestyle, and pharmaceuticals.

Another 250 dog autopsies are needed to complete The Georgie Project. 

The hope is that other breeds will follow suit.

“I’ve done my best to contribute,” says Arner, “though I hope not to do much more any time soon.”

Learn more about enrolling a Portuguese water dog in The Georgie Project.

Would you ever consider donating your dog's body to science?