Are dogs used in research today more common than in the 1970s?

• A. Yes
• B. No
• C. About the same
• D. Data unclear

Answer: (B)

Trends in the use of dogs in research over time are shaped by regulation and the push for alternatives. The reason this is the best answer is that, since the 1970s, regulatory oversight and welfare standards have become much stronger, encouraging researchers to minimize animal use and seek substitutes when possible. The Animal Welfare Act and related regulations require humane care and housing, along with IACUC review for most vertebrate studies, which increases scrutiny and often leads to reductions in animal numbers. In parallel, the 3Rs framework—Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement—promotes using non-animal methods when feasible, using fewer animals, and improving procedures to minimize pain and distress. As a result, scientists increasingly rely on other species such as rodents or on in vitro and in silico methods for many research questions, reserving dog use for cases where it is scientifically justified. While dogs are still used in some areas, their overall presence in research has declined compared with the 1970s, so the statement that they are not more common today is accurate.