The ACKCS Charitable Trust is excited to announce a brand new comprehensive study for Aging & Longevity being conducted by Dr. Natasha Olby of NC State University specifically for Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. The CAVALIER (Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Aging and Vitality: Assessment of Longevity, Inherited Disease, Exceptional Aging, and Resilience) Study is open to ALL PUREBRED CAVALIERS OVER THE AGE OF 8 YEARS.
The goal of this study is to better understand the genetic and biological factors associated with healthy aging and longevity in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. We hope to identify factors that contribute to successful aging, improve our understanding of disease processes, and ultimately help inform future prevention strategies, clinical management, and breeding decisions within the breed.
We are looking to attract older dogs from all over the United States. If you are local to NC State University or are willing to travel there for a 2 night stay, your dog will be able to undergo a comprehensive health assessment right there. This assessment includes blood collection, cardiac evaluation, hearing test, cognitive test, and mobility and strength assessment. If you are not local, Dr. Olby and her team have created questionnaires and instructions on how to do some of these health assessments right from your home.
The more we know about aging in our breed, the more we can do to help them live a longer, healthier life.
Dr. Natasha Olby
NC State University
Dr. Olby is a professor of Veterinary Neurology and Neurosurgery at NC State University in North Carolina. She has been pioneering aging research at NCSU since 2017 and is world renowned in the field of canine aging.
Back in 2015 & 2016 Dr. Olby worked on studies looking deep into Syringomyelia(SM) and Chiari-like malformation in Cavaliers. More Information on those studies can be found in our Health Funding Chronology section.
Most recently in 2025 Dr. Olby and 12 expert from across the globe developed guidelines for diagnosing Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (analogous to early Alzheimer’s in humans). She will now be able to use these newly developed guidelines to help further her current study looking into Aging in Cavaliers.