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UK’s Dogs Help Break the Ice
A recent UK-wide survey of over 1,000 dog owners found that 81% of respondents find their dog the ideal ice breaker when meeting new people.

61% of those surveyed stated that they feel more confident when approaching a potential partner when they’re out walking their canine companion.
 
Most respondents felt their dog gave them more confidence with potential partners because it made them seem more sociable (32%) and caring (30%).
 
And despite what some people say, dogs are very well-behaved on dates with only 14% of those questioned confessing to embarrassing incidents caused by their dog. And of these, the majority found inappropriate sniffing to be the number one situation which caused red faces all round.
 
TV vet Matt Brash said: “Dogs, like humans, are very sociable animals whose natural instinct is to hunt in packs, so dogs are always going to be interested in other dogs when out walking and this will naturally prompt conversations and bonding between their owners. Research has shown that owners can actually look like their dogs, and this could be a further reason for owners who already have a common interest to be attracted to each other.
 
“It’s heartening to think that romances could blossom across the country thanks to the confidence boost owners get from man’s (& woman’s!) best friend,” concludes Matt.
 

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Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NSA webinar explores sheep tailing and castration

The National Sheep Association (NSA) is to host a free webinar on the castration and tail docking of lambs.

The webinar, 'Understanding the tailing and castration consultation: A guide for sheep farmers', will be hosted online on Monday, 2 March 2026 at 7.30pm.

It comes during a government consultation into the methods used for these procedures. Farmers are encouraged to engage before the consultation period closes on Monday, 9 March 2026.

The webinar offers clear and actionable guidance to support farmers to contribute meaningfully to the consultation and prepare for potential changes.

On the panel will be former SVS president Kate Hovers, farmer and vet Ann Van Eetvelt and SRUC professor in Animal Health and Veterinary Sciences Cathy Dwyer. Each panel member will utilise their own specialism and expertise to evaluate risks and outcomes to sheep farming.

Find out more about the webinar on the NSA website.