Corn Paw Pad Research
🧬 Advancing Genetic Research on Paw Pad Corns in Sighthounds
In August 2018, The Greyhound Health Initiative (GHI) partnered with Dr. Richard Doughty and Dr. Frode Lingass of the Norwegian University of Life Sciences to launch a groundbreaking research project investigating the genetic basis of paw pad corns in greyhounds.
As part of this collaboration, GHI collected and shipped approximately 200 swabs from greyhounds across the United States to Norway for analysis. These samples laid the foundation for what has become a multi-year, international effort to better understand this painful and often misunderstood condition. Early findings suggest that corn formation is highly polygenic—meaning multiple genes are involved—which makes identifying the specific genetic contributors more complex.
To strengthen the study and increase the contrast between affected and unaffected dogs, we are now expanding our sample collection to include greyhounds from the United Kingdom and hopefully Germany and Australia. Testing on whippets is already underway, and we hope to include lurchers in future phases of the research. This expansion is especially meaningful to Dr. Doughty, whose own whippet suffers from corns—a personal connection that fuels his commitment to this work.
Live in the US or UK? You can help advance this important research.Â
If you're interested in contributing to the study, please review the current eligibility criteria below.
To Request Swab in US
To Request Swab in UK
Participating is simple—and your contribution could make a real difference. Once you request and receive your swab kit, just follow the easy step-by-step instructions in the video below to collect a sample from your dog.
Your sample helps researchers like Dr. Richard Doughty and Frode Lingass uncover the genetic factors behind paw pad corns in greyhounds. Every submission brings us closer to answers—and better care for these incredible dogs.
Join the study today and be part of the solution.
Explore the research in depth by watching our webinar featuring Dr. Richard Doughty, recorded in August, 2023.
GHI is still accepting donations for the Corn Research Project to help offset ongoing costs, future testing and to support Dr. Doughty and Dr. Lingaas (Head of Section for Genetics) in their work. There is a possibility that the scope of this research project may be extended to examine the bleeding phenotype while the research team has the DNA samples. This new aspect of the project is still in the preliminary planning stage though, which is why continued donations are graciously accepted:
GHI would like to thank all donors and supporters of our ongoing mission to help sighthounds through education, outreach, and research programs. GHI would also like to thank Dr. Doughty and Dr. Lingaas for their unwavering drive and commitment. And a special thanks to Trina Stumpf, who took on GHI's role in this project with an unswerving dedication! If you have questions regarding this project, email trina@greyhoundhealthinitiative.org
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Published on
09/17/2025
Tags
corn / corn paw pad / corn research / corn treatment / corns / Frode Lingass / Greyhounds / research / Richard Doughty DVM / whippets
