For thousands of years, people and dogs have gone hand in paw. The bond between canines and humans is undeniable.
That’s why it’s so hard when our furry friends become sick or succumb to disease at an early age.
As the third-most-popular dog breed in the United States, golden retrievers are beloved, known for their sweet temperament. But they are also among the breeds most susceptible to cancer.
Researchers at the University of California, Davis recently set out to better understand why.
What they discovered was a genetic variant in the dogs associated with increased longevity. The gene, known as HER4 [HERFOUR], is in the same family of genes as HER2 — a gene found in humans known for speeding the growth of cancer cells. Researchers also discovered a “bad” version of HER4, which led to shorter lifespans.
The golden retrievers possessing the “good” genetic variant lived almost two years longer than the dogs without it. That’s the equivalent of about 12 to 14 years in humans.
So, what does this all mean for our four-legged friends and their two-legged counterparts — us? It could mean a lot, as humans and dogs can develop many of the same kinds of cancers. Previous research related to the HER2 variant led to a breakthrough in breast cancer treatment in humans.
Researchers say their next steps include attempting to confirm the study results in a larger population of dogs. They also hope to better understand how the genetic variant can impact the expression of HER4.
Ultimately they hope to gain a better understanding of what makes some dogs — and humans — live longer than others.