About the Rottweiler Health Foundation
The Rottweiler Health Foundation (RHF) was founded March 1, 1997 as a free standing charitable organization with the objective of improving the health status of the Rottweiler. It is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) Public Benefit Corporation. The mission of the RHF is facilitated by officers and directors on a strictly volunteer basis. RHF raises money through membership dues, charitable donations from individuals, estates and corporation, fund raising efforts, and memorial contributions. It then makes grants to worthy projects which will benefit dogs in general and the Rottweiler in particular.
The membership of RHF is comprised of individual members, including Charter Members, and local and regional Specialty clubs, as well as the National Parent Club for Rottweilers, The American Rottweiler Club. A newsletter “HealthNotes” is mailed to the national based membership on an annual basis with quarterly web and email updates.
COED Study Update
Nov 2023
In this study, we aim to identify blood biomarkers that can be used to assign a probability of developing osteosarcoma to otherwise healthy dogs at risk for this disease. We have a large set of samples and are also collecting new samples for this project.
The control (old and new)samples include healthy dogs and dogs with cancer. These samples are used to identify the patterns that are exclusively present in dogs with cancer, and specifically in dogs with bone cancer. The experimental group includes healthy dogs at risk for development of bone cancer. This risk is based on age (older than 4.5 years) and on size. Dogs from six breeds are receiving preference in recruitment, although large dogs of other breeds and mixed breeding are also eligible to enroll. A gift from the Irish Wolfhound Foundation in advance of this project was instrumental in helping us to finalize the infrastructure. It also allowed us to pilot enrollment of 25 dogs to make sure the protocols were efficient and reasonable. Recruitment for the experimental group was launched at the end of August of 2022 and we began enrolling dogs and receiving samples, in random order, in October 2022. As of October 31st, 2023, we have
collected 434 new samples for both parts of this project. We estimate enrollment will be complete by the end of 2023 or in early 2024, at which time follow-up will continue for the duration of the project (and ideally for the lifetime of the dogs) and analysis of the data will begin to construct
the metrics of the test. Such a test for predicting the occurrence of bone cancer in dogs would be extremely valuable to veterinary medical community and dog owners world-wide. Our approach will use artificial intelligence technologies to describe patterns that are associated with
the formation of these cancers.
We have also used this project as a training vehicle to engage young scientists and encourage them to pursue careers in canine health research. Courtney Labe, Meagan Wojtysiak, and Emily Myers are veterinary students who completed Summer Scholar projects in the lab and have continued work on this program as they progress through veterinary school. These students have each expressed an interest in continuing on a path that includes research, and specifically research that aims to improve the health and wellbeing of companion dogs, as a major component of their future careers.
Your Story
Do you have a REAL STORY to share about your Rottweiler’s Health?
Please email your story, along with photos to us. Please indicate your approval to include your email address with your story if you don’t mind others contacting you. Your story may help others going through similar circumstances.
Thank you for sharing your story.
Goals and Objectives
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To foster and promote the public’s knowledge and appreciation of dogs in general and Rottweilers in particular.
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To further the understanding of the diseases, defects, injuries and other ailments that afflict dogs and Rottweilers in particular.
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To support and promote study of and research on the history, character, breeding, genetics and particular health problems of Rottweilers.
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To establish a national database of resource materials about Rottweilers.
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To produce, publish and distribute to the general public educational materials about the proper care, treatment, breeding, health development and training of Rottweilers.
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Identify the types and prevalence of health problems affecting the Rottweiler.
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Identify quality researchers in major disease focus areas.
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Direct the organizations efforts to fund appropriate research projects.
In the year 2000, the RHF Health Survey Committee sponsored an inclusive general health survey to determine the frequency of specific health problems affecting the breed. This national survey was conducted and reported on by Dr. Margaret Slater, Dept. Veterinary Anatomy and Public Health, Texas A & M University.
Funded Research
View our Active and Closed Grants to see how your donations fund vital research for the Rottweiler breed.
Circle 2000
The Circle 2000 Registry was established by the Rottweiler Health Foundation to memorialize or honor nominated Rottweilers, as well as special friends of the breed. The registry, at the same time, provides an opportunity for lovers of the breed to support health research to enable longer and healthier lives for all Rottweilers.
RHF Store
Purchase a printed or embroidered Rottweiler shirt, sweatshirt, or blanket. Check out the Rottweiler food bowl, treat jar, and dish towel. More items added seasonally, so check back!
