Puppies needed for Dogs Trust research
Data could contribute to preventative measures against common health issues.
Dogs Trust is calling for puppies aged under 16 weeks to join its generational study into dogs’ health and behaviour.
Generation Pup is seeking a few hundred puppies to join the project, as it aims to recruit 10,000 dogs across the UK and the Republic of Ireland.
The project is the first of its kind to follow dogs of every breed throughout their entire lifetimes, tracking their development. It will seek to understand how different factors influence the dogs’ health and behaviour.
Researchers are collecting information about the puppies’ environment, family, health, behaviour and experiences.
Dogs Trust will investigate how important specific factors, such as social interaction, diet and daily routine, are to the welfare of dogs. The data will enable the charity to examine how these factors contribute to a range of health and behaviour conditions.
This could help the charity look into more preventative measures against common dog health issues.
The ‘basic level’ of involvement asks puppy owners to complete questionnaires regularly throughout their dog’s lifetime. However Dogs Trust hopes that some participants will offer to share their dog’s veterinary records, as well as mouth swabs or urine, to give them a better understanding.
Generation Pup’s latest paper, ‘Owner-perceived Undesirable Behaviours in Young Dogs and Changes with Age’, examined data from dogs aged from six months to 18 months old.
The highest proportion of dogs showing undesirable behaviours were those aged 12 months old. Owners reported issues including barking, recall issues, pulling on the lead and jumping up.
Dogs Trust say this might be the ‘sassy teenager’ phase in dogs’ lifetimes.
Jane Murray, welfare project and grants deputy head of research at Dogs Trust, said: “This important research study aims to deepen our understanding of how early life experiences influence the health and behaviour of dogs throughout their lives.
“Your participation will make a valuable contribution to improving the welfare of dogs now and in the future.”
For more information about Generation Pup, or to sign up, visit their website.
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