The scientists will assess the musculoskeletal health of different breeds.

Dog owners are being invited to sign up their pet for a new study that will look at the walking mechanics of different dog breeds.

Researchers from the University of Liverpool and the Natural History Museum want to assess the impact of selective breeding on canine anatomy and musculoskeletal health.

The team are looking for dogs from the following breeds: beagle, border collie, cocker spaniel, dachshund, French bulldog, German shepherd, Labrador, springer spaniel, and West Highland white terrier.

Dogs must be between one and eight years old, a healthy weight, and with no health problems that impact their movement.

Dogs taking part in the study will be invited to the ‘Gait Lab’ at the University of Liverpool, where they will be asked to walk while researchers measure how their joints move using skin markers, cameras, sensors, and x-rays.

The scientists will use this information to produce 3D animations of the dogs’ movements, combining it with the data to assess the demands that walking places on their musculoskeletal systems.

Findings from the long-term project will be used by The Kennel Club to guide breeding policies and inform breed societies.

Professor Anjali Goswami, research leader in life science at the Natural History Museum, said: “The variety of dog breeds is immense, far more than what we see in wild species.

“Over the past few years, we've been developing new approaches to capture and compare species in diverse species, from dinosaurs to whales, and we are now going to apply those methods to dog legs to better understand how they develop and function.”

Dr Karl Bates, who will be co-leading the project, added: “Our analysis will identify any mechanically unfavourable conditions that exist in particular breeds with a high prevalence of musculoskeletal health issues.

“Our long-term ambitions for the study is for this valuable data to be integrated into easily accessible guides and tools that pet owners and veterinary professionals could use to better understand the musculoskeletal health of their pets and patients.”

The full criteria and information on how to take part are available on the University of Liverpool website.

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