Description: New Guinea Singing Dogs are a rare type of dog that hail from the highlands of Papua New Guinea. Given their genetic isolation and unique evolutionary history, NGSDs are a living link to early domestic dogs. Yet despite their scientific importance, virtually nothing is known about their brains. The Canine Brains Project hopes to fill this gap in our knowledge with our New Guinea Singing Dog Brain Study. Through non-invasive MRI brain imaging, we are investigating the organization of the NGSD brain and how it relates to temperament and behavior.
Study Details: The study takes place in the Canine Brains Project’s laboratory suite at Harvard University’s Center for Brain Science in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Funding for travel and lodging is available for participants who travel from out-of-state. Free parking is available. Dog brain scans are supervised by experienced veterinarians on the Canine Brains Project team. A member of our veterinary team will confer with the dog’s attending vet prior to participation and will perform an additional physical exam on the day of the brain scan. Genetic data will be collected using a cheek swab and behavioral data will be drawn from questionnaires.
Eligibility: The study is open to purebred New Guinea Singing Dogs who are at least one year of age and in good health. They should have no metal anywhere in or on their body (microchips are fine).
Scheduling: We are currently enrolling New Guinea Singing Dogs. Enrollment will end August 1st of 2024.
Enrollment: To enroll your NGSD in this study, please fill out the pre-registration form and/or email Sophie Barton at sbarton@g.harvard.edu. If you’re interested in the study but not sure yet if you’d like to participate with your NGSD, please reach out to Sophie for more information.