It is unconscionable that dogs, the most popular companion animals in the country, are used as research subjects in laboratories, but that is the tragic truth. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) reports show that tens of thousands of dogs are used in research, testing, teaching, or experimentation in the U.S. every year by research facilities, including hospitals, schools, diagnostic laboratories and private firms in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.
Although the number of dogs used in research has declined over time, the most current USDA statistics show that 46,848 dogs were held or used for “research, testing, teaching, or experimentation” in 2023. The exact purposes for which these dogs were used remain unclear.
In 2022, NAVS published a scientific article on the use of dogs as experimental models in the U.S. which aimed to bring some transparency about the use of dogs in research, as U.S. institutions are not required to report the purpose of research using dogs (and other AWA-covered animals). The European Union, however, mandates detailed reporting. Reviews of published articles and grant proposals using dogs found that the most common invasive procedures using dogs were found to be translational research studies for cardiovascular, cancer, nervous/mental, and musculoskeletal disorders. Drug, device, and procedure development commonly utilized dogs. Information typically reported for experimental animals, however, was often missing or incomplete when dogs were used, which included the number, source, and fate of dogs, species justification, and pain management. Research publications rarely discussed consideration of non-animal models. In the majority of publications and grants examined, dogs were euthanized at the end of the research study they were involved in. [PO1] The study also revealed that of all dogs used in research, beagles remain the breed most often used in research. Because of their intermediate size and loving nature. Kevin J. Stafford, author of The Welfare of Dogs, speculated that “Their existence for some time as ‘the’ laboratory dog may make it easier for handlers and research scientists to use them without becoming too emotionally attached to them.” When experiments call for larger animals, hounds (mongrels) are commonly used. Although the U.S. does not collect information on the breeds of dogs used in research, our study revealed that golden retrievers, boxers, Australian labradoodles, American bulldogs, German shepherds, Hovawarts, miniature dachshunds, Irish setters, Labrador retrievers and other breeds of dogs were also used.
Most dogs used in research come from commercial breeders or private breeding colonies, though our study revealed that 40% of the publications and 12% of the grants reviewed did not indicate the source. Some studies involved client-owned companion animals as well. The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals recommends that dogs less than 33 pounds have a minimum floor area of eight square feet per animal; dogs up to 66 pounds have a minimum floor area of 12 square feet per animal; and dogs more than 60 pounds have a minimum floor area of 24 square feet per animal. The Guide also recommends that cage height be sufficient for the animals to be comfortable standing with their feet on the floor.
Dogs used in research in laboratory settings have been shown to display signs of stress, fear and anxiety. A number of common laboratory procedures can cause this response, including cage changing, the removal of a dog from a stable social group, changing of established maintenance routines, or restraint or confinement in a strange setting. While some dogs are able to adapt positively to stressors, other dogs are unsuccessful and can develop disorders and dysfunctions that can adversely affect their quality of life, in addition to significantly impacting the research in which the animal is involved.
Laboratory dogs that are exhibiting signs of short-term stress may shake, crouch, display signs of restlessness or oral behaviors (tongue out, licking muzzle, swallowing). Dogs that display signs of long term or chronic stress may be vocal, exhibit repetitive behaviors, have low posture, increase autogrooming and eat feces. It has been noted that dogs often stop such behaviors when their handlers enter the room, resulting in a serious underestimation of the true mental and physical condition of dogs used in research in laboratory settings.
Man’s best friend deserves better than this. Dogs are a poor model for human testing, and it is wrong to continue subjecting these amazing companion animals to unnecessary pain and experimentation.
Ward SL, Osenkowski P. Dog as the experimental model: Laboratory uses of dogs in the United States. ALTEX. 2022;39(4):605-620. doi: 10.14573/altex.2109101. Epub 2022 Apr 21. PMID: 35502626.
