Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Shih Tzu becomes 8,000th dog to join welfare study
Daphne Rose will be part of Dogs Trust's research into dog health problems.

She will help Dogs Trust to understand dog health issues.

A Shih Tzu has become the 8,000th dog to join Dogs Trust’s Generation Pup welfare study.

Twelve-week-old Daphne Rose, from Darlington, will play a part in the welfare charity’s longitudinal research into canine health problems across different breeds and age groups.

The study, called Generation Pup, aims to record the behavioural and health problems of dogs across their lifetime, from 16 weeks to adulthood. This includes collecting information such as health, environment, behaviour and family experiences.

The project aims to discover how a dog’s early life, genetics and environmental factors contribute to its health throughout its lifetime.

Generation Pup, formed through a partnership between Dogs Trust and the University of Bristol, began in 2016 and is believed to be the first longitudinal study to include all breed and crossbreeds of dogs.

They are inviting any dog breeds under 16 weeks of age from the UK and Republic of Ireland to sign-up. Dog owners can decide how much they would like to take part in the project.

The study is aiming to reach their target of recruiting 10,000 dogs by the end of 2024.

Amber, Daphne Rose’s owner, said: “I had seen Generation Pup pop up on social media platforms. The fact that the reputable name of Dogs Trust were working alongside Bristol University gave me the confidence to sign up.

“Daphne has brought boundless joy and happiness to our family, if you are a dog lover, then what better way to improve outcomes and give advice to future owners.”

Dr Jane Murray, deputy head of research at Dogs Trust, said: “We are very proud to have welcomed our 8,000th puppy into the Generation Pup study. This incredible achievement could not have been done without the help of the committed owners and their wonderful dogs.

“We are so close to reaching our landmark goal of recruiting 10,000 puppies, and we are urging for owners to sign up. The more puppies enrolled into this study, the more likely we are to have a better understanding of our furry canine friends.”

To learn more about the Generation Pup study, visit the website.

Image (C) Dogs Trust

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."