The energy expenditure study has now finished. The University of Cambridge have also temporarily paused their DNA collection so they can study the many samples that they do have.
The GOdogs project studies the genetics of metabolic disease in dogs.
They are investigating the genetics of obesity in dogs, and in particular a change in a gene they identified in Labradors and Flatcoated Retrievers which is associated with them being particularly food-motivated dogs.
FCR owners took their dogs along to Cambridge vet school to take part in a test of their dogs’ metabolic rate. From the dog’s point of view, this involved resting in a transport kennel for a couple of hours allowing them to measure how their genes affect metabolic rate and perhaps can predispose them to weight gain.
There’s lots more information on their website http://www.godogs.org.uk
Jodie Wainwright
Research Assistant GOdogs Project
Institute of Metabolic Science
University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories
Level 4, Wellcome Trust-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science
Box 289, Addenbrooke’s Hospital
Cambridge, CB2 0QQ
United Kingdom