An open science study of ageing in companion dogs

Abstract

The Dog Aging Project is a long-term longitudinal study of ageing in tens of thousands of companion dogs. The domestic dog is among the most variable mammal species in terms of morphology, behaviour, risk of age-related disease and life expectancy. Given that dogs share the human environment and have a sophisticated healthcare system but are much shorter-lived than people, they offer a unique opportunity to identify the genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors associated with healthy lifespan. To take advantage of this opportunity, the Dog Aging Project will collect extensive survey data, environmental information, electronic veterinary medical records, genome-wide sequence information, clinicopathology and molecular phenotypes derived from blood cells, plasma and faecal samples. Here, we describe the specific goals and design of the Dog Aging Project and discuss the potential for this open-data, community science study to greatly enhance understanding of ageing in a genetically variable, socially relevant species living in a complex environment.

Fig. 1 ∣. Structure of the DAP cohorts.

a, Dogs become members of the DAP Pack once owners complete the HLES. From the Pack, a size-, age-, sex- and location-balanced population of dogs is selected to join each of the sample collection cohorts (Foundation, Precision and TRIAD). Dogs may be selected to join the Centenarian cohort (dogs in the top 0.1% of their size-specific age distribution) through the Pack or through independent outreach. Data and samples collected from each cohort are tailored to address specific research goals. b, DAP Pack members have enrolled from all 50 US states. On this map, one dot represents five participants, and dots within a given county are randomly placed. c, Age distribution of DAP Pack members, stratified by size: 0–4.9 kg, 5.0–9.9 kg, 10.0–19.9 kg, 20.0–29.9 kg, 30.0–39.9 kg and ≥40.0 kg.

Fig. 2 ∣. DAP integration.

Information flow through the DAP begins when an owner signs up to participate with their dog on the DAP website (upper left). Owner information and survey data flow through the DAP customized REDCap platform. After completing the HLES, participants join the DAP Pack. DAP Pack members whose owners upload qualifying veterinary electronic medical records (VEMRs) are eligible for all other nested cohorts, including those from which samples are collected. Deep and broad participant support is made available at every step to promote adherence to study protocols. Samples flow from owners, primary care veterinarians and participating veterinary teaching hospitals to the sequencing facility or the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory and, from there, to DAP investigator laboratories and the Biobank. Guidance and monitoring are provided by advisory boards and volunteers. As an Open Science study, the DAP provides curated, de-identified raw data to the research community through the data centre, and shares discoveries and results with DAP participants to promote retention. The DAP cohorts will also serve as the foundation for ancillary studies by DAP team members and the broader research community.

Fig. 3 ∣. Biospecimen and environmental measures.

a, Dogs in all sampled cohorts provide a cheek swab for low-pass whole-genome sequencing (n = 10,000). From each dog enrolled in the Precision cohort (n = 1,000) or TRIAD cohort (n = 350), veterinarians will collect peripheral blood, urine, faeces and hair and ship these samples to the DAP team for immediate processing or storage in the DAP Biobank. b, Environmental data are collected from publicly available sources and associated with each participant, based on the primary address of the dog. All biological and environmental data will be stored in the DAP data repository and made publicly available.