Blog | Darwin's Ark

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A picture of Balto, one of Darwin's Dogs, walking toward the backyard in his backyard.

What’s Next for Darwin’s Dogs?

Published on September 2, 2026

DNA sequencing is back, and the next chapter of discovery is just beginning.

The questions that unite pet owners

Published on August 19, 2026

From ancestry to aging, the mysteries that fascinate pet owners are the same ones that scientists are working to answer.

What dogs have been teaching us for 10 years

Published on July 9, 2026

From cancer research to canine behavior, here's how community scientists have helped move dog research forward.

A picture of Brodie, a border collie, and a member of Darwin's Dogs, looks on

Darwin's Dogs: Preparing for the next decade of discovery

Published on June 17, 2026

A look back at the project that started it all

A picture of DNA sequencing with the letters ACTG

How and why Darwin’s Ark studies pet DNA differently

Published on May 13, 2026

How community science, whole genome sequencing, and large datasets help researchers uncover new insights about cats and dogs

Women in Science Q&A: Dr. Frances Chen

Published on March 16, 2026

From sneaking out of anatomy lab to study Hox genes to raising 15 guide dog puppies, Dr. Frances Chen explains how canine genetics is the missing link in solving complex health challenges for both dogs and humans.

Women in Science Q&A: Dr. Kathryn Lord

Published on February 9, 2026

Kathryn Lord talks about her career exploring canine evolution and behavior, and offers advice for aspiring scientists.

The Darwin’s Dogs Cancer Project

Published on January 21, 2026

Darwin’s Ark scientists bring a comparative genomics approach to cancer research that aims to improve care for both canine and human patients.

Yellow Labrador Retriever tilts head to the left against a blue-grey background.

Debunking doggie DNA behavioral tests

Published on November 26, 2025

A new study from Darwin’s Ark reveals that genetic tests claiming to predict dog behavior don’t hold up to scientific scrutiny.

Toys and titans: exploring extreme dog size

Published on November 12, 2025

Darwin’s Dogs community scientists were invited to enroll their dogs in a new study exploring the genetic drivers of extreme size in dogs.

Pounce! into the wild world of puppies

Published on September 16, 2025

Darwin’s Ark scientists unveil a new community science platform for studying puppy play behaviors.

Inside your dog's personality profile

Published on August 20, 2025

Darwin’s Dogs personality profiles showcase your dog’s behavioral traits and tell you how they stack up to other pups.

Darwin's Ark on display at the pet science fair

Published on August 19, 2025

Cambridge's community comes together for cats, dogs, and scientific discovery.

A golden retriever with a red cast on its front right paw lays on an examination table at the vet's office.

A breakthrough in bone cancer

Published on July 23, 2025

A study led by Darwin’s Ark researchers is the first to uncover the genomic landscape of canine oral osteosarcoma.

Dog with a brown and tawny brindle coat rests its muzzle in a human's hand.

Defining domestication

Published on June 13, 2025

Scientists have long debated what it means to be “domesticated.” Darwin’s Ark researchers propose a clearer, more practical definition.

Australian shepherd dog herding a sheep in a field

Open science study reveals genomic evidence of herding dog behavior

Published on May 15, 2025

You herd it here first! New study used Darwin’s Dogs data to uncover genetic drivers of herding dog behavior

Two wolf-dog hybrids stand on a wooden overlook in a forest at a wolf sanctuary

The Wolf-Dog Hybrid Project

Published on May 13, 2025

Darwin’s Ark scientists are studying wolf-dog hybrids to map the genetic journey of dogs’ behavioral evolution from wolves.

A working dog with white fur wearing a red service dog harness is lying on a paved surface outside.

Dogs with jobs—backed by science

Published on February 17, 2025

The Working Dog Project: A nonprofit partnership building better breeding selection tools

brown and white collie with its ears perked up lies next to an open laptop on a desk.

The role of research surveys in genetic discoveries

Published on January 21, 2025

Community science surveys help scientists untangle genetic and environmental drivers in dog behavior

Close-up of a grey dog with blue eyes set against a blurred grey and green background.

The silent impact of chemical exposures on pets

Published on December 16, 2024

Darwin’s Ark researchers use canine community science to explore how chemical exposures contribute to cancer development.

A human unleashes a dog with white and brown fur.

Unleashing the power of comparative genomics

Published on November 15, 2024

Our bond with dogs may be the missing link to discovering the genetic basis of neuropsychiatric disorders.

A cover of the magazine Science composed of a grid displaying the faces of seven different dogs with distinct features: a Great Dane, Dachshund, Collie, pug, and three mutts. Beneath the dog grid is text reading "JUST LOOKS?"

We made the cover of Science!

Published on April 28, 2022

Breed doesn't define a dog's behavior—but their genetics and environment do.

Eight black and grey graphics showcasing dog behaviors and expressions of canine personality, including human sociability, excitability, playing with toys, biddability, agnostic threshold, dog sociability, curiosity, and proximity-seeking behaviors.

Personality tests for your dog

Published on April 28, 2022

Do you enjoy taking personality tests and wish your pup could join in the fun?

Graphics of eight distinct dog breeds (Entlebucher, Bearded Collie, Chinook, English Shepherd, Tibetan Mastiff, Belgian Malinois, Saluki, and American Pit Bull Terrier) stand in two rows of four.

An update to Genomic Breed Mix results

Published on February 14, 2020

Darwin's Dogs' expanded breed reference panel can detect eight additional breeds

Brown dog sitting on a sandy mound by a rocky seashore under an overcast sky.

What is a dog breed?

Published on October 2, 2018

Understanding the origins and evolution of modern dog breeds

Silhouettes of a human, mouse, and dog connected by blue arrows arranged in a circular fashion suggestion a relationship among them. In the center of the circle reads, "Shared neural circuitry?"

New paper shows how dogs can help advance OCD research

Published on November 17, 2017

Darwin's Ark affiliate scientists published a study in Nature that identifies genetic variants associated with compulsive disorders in humans and dogs.

Golden Retriever lies on a veterinary examination table. The dog is comforted by two veterinarians.

Studying cancer in dogs

Published on October 5, 2017

Understanding cancer in dogs can also teach us about cancer in people

A dog pup stands in a grassy area and holds a yellow leaf in its mouth.

Dog vs wolf critical period

Published on August 3, 2017

Raising a wolf pup is no walk in the park. Genetics may drive differences in socialization between wolf and dog pups.

Ten working dogs wearing service dog harnesses lounge on a set of steps in an outdoor area.

Introducing the Working Dog Project

Published on July 16, 2017

Why do only half of dogs graduate from working dog programs? Darwin’s Dogs’ Working Dog Project is studying the complex traits that shape a dog’s success in these roles.

Evolution & artificial design of dogs

Published on May 29, 2017

Discover the differences between wolves, the first domesticated dogs, and modern dog breeds.