This study was done to establish the correct relationship between protein concentration and plasma colloid osmotic pressure in the dog and to determine the possible influence of the relative albumin and globulin content (A:G ratio). Plasma samples from dogs, rats, and humans were evaluated for total protein concentration, globulin concentration, and colloid osmotic pressure. Samples were concentrated and diluted by ultrafiltration to provide a range of total protein concentrations from 1 to 12 g/dl. Rat and human plasma samples had A:G ratios of 1.4 and 2.1, respectively, and the relationship between protein concentration and colloid osmotic pressure was in agreement with the Landis-Pappenheimer equation. In contrast, dog plasma samples consistently exhibited lower colloid osmotic pressures for any given protein concentration. Two forms of empirical equations were derived to relate these parameters in the dog. Dog plasma samples had higher concentrations of globulin and the A:G ratio averaged 0.59 +/- 0.35 SD. There was a significant relationship between the A:G ratio and the plasma colloid osmotic pressure. Analysis of the possible effect of this altered relationship on glomerular filtration dynamics predicted that efferent plasma colloid osmotic pressure was not specifically affected and was dependent only on the filtration fraction and the plasma colloid osmotic pressure.