The question isn't whether he'll end up in your lap, but how long it'll take him to get there.
Darwin's Dogs participant Balto doesn't seem to understand the idea of personal space. In his home, the Tennessee rescue dog has a habit of slowly sneaking onto people's laps until he's sitting on top of them, earning him the nickname "the creeper."
But his owner, Kerry, hopes Balto can help answer much bigger questions. That's why she joined Darwin's Dogs.
"I want to better understand how we can improve the lives and longevity of our dogs," she said.
Kerry isn't alone. Most Darwin’s Dogs participants aren't just curious about their own dogs. They hope their surveys, DNA samples and health histories will give researchers new insights that could lead to healthier futures for dogs everywhere.
That shared commitment has allowed Darwin's Dogs to grow into an international community of dog owners and researchers. Now, with DNA sequencing returning, the initiative is entering an exciting new chapter.
What's Next for Participants?
Beginning this fall, participants can expect to see the first of several updates as DNA sequencing resumes for dogs.
During the sequencing pause, Darwin's Ark scientists updated the organization’s breed reference panel that powers ancestry results. By adding more breeds and strengthening the reference data behind existing ones, the team is working to provide participants with even more accurate ancestry results.
Participants also can expect to see new surveys in their Laboratory. After all, dogs don't stop changing, and neither do the questions we want to ask. Some surveys will explore topics like dogs' environments, while others will ask participants to revisit the same survey throughout their dog's life. Following dogs over time, from new homes to gray muzzles and everything in between, gives researchers a better understanding of how health and behavior change as dogs age.
Why Every Contribution Matters
But the next chapter of Darwin's Dogs depends on something even more important than new tools: the people who use them.
Today, more than 50,000 dogs are part of Darwin's Dogs, making it one of the world's largest canine-focused community science efforts. But many of the questions researchers hope to answer, from the causes of complex diseases to the factors that shape behavior, require even larger and more diverse groups of dogs. Unlike studies that may involve only a few hundred animals, community science makes it possible to study thousands of dogs in homes across the country. That scale allows researchers to uncover patterns they couldn't see otherwise while creating a resource that's difficult to build anywhere else.
"Some of the most important questions in dog genetics simply can't be answered without large numbers of participants. Every dog that joins gives us another opportunity to understand something we couldn't before," said Darwin's Ark Co-Founder and Chief Scientist Dr. Elinor Karlsson.
Every completed survey gives researchers a clearer picture of a dog's life. Every saliva sample adds another piece to the genetic puzzle. Together, those contributions create a scientific resource that no laboratory could build on its own.
Studying one can help us better understand the other,” said Chief Scientist Dr. Elinor Karlsson.
Turning Data Into Discovery
Now, Darwin's Ark is beginning to put that resource into the hands of more scientists after recently inviting researchers from around the world to access its tools and data to advance pet and human health. Investigators from academia, government, nonprofits and the private sector can now apply to use the growing research resource, opening the door to discoveries that could benefit pets and people alike.
One area of growing interest is canine compulsive disorder, a condition that shares many similarities with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in people. By combining genetic information with years of health, behavior and environmental data shared by dog owners, researchers hope to better understand why some dogs develop these behaviors while others don't. Those discoveries could eventually lead to more targeted treatments for both dogs and people.
The same approach could also shed light on other complex conditions, including cancer, where genetics, environment and lifestyle all interact in ways scientists are only beginning to untangle.
"Dogs and people share many of the same biological pathways, and some of the biggest advances can come from studying those similarities. Studying one can help us better understand the other,” said Karlsson.
Beyond current studies, Darwin's Ark research affiliates are also exploring new ways to expand the utility of initiative's data. One promising approach is using two DNA sequencing methods to allow working dog organizations to screen for inherited disease risk while also contributing new data to find new risk factors. This new tool could provide a path towards healthier and higher performing future generations of working dogs, alongside new data in these populations that fuels scientific discovery.
The organization is also excited to explore questions about the gut microbiome and how it interacts with genetics, diet and overall health. Questions like these may reveal how the trillions of microorganisms that live in and on dogs influence health throughout their lives.
The Next Decade Starts Now
Whether you've been with Darwin's Dogs since the early days or are just getting started, there's never been a better time to get involved.
Log in to your account and see if there are new surveys waiting for you. If your dog hasn't been sequenced yet, consider contributing a saliva sample when DNA sequencing resumes this fall. And if you know another dog owner who's curious about their pet or wants to contribute to science, invite them to join our community.
The future of Darwin's Dogs won't just be about collecting more information. It will be about turning that information into discoveries that improve the lives of dogs and, perhaps, people too.
Who knows? The next breakthrough might begin with a guide dog, frisbee fanatic... or a dog that's convinced every lap is their potential seat.
The next decade of discovery starts now.
