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Dogs fight for dominance in the middle of the pack - study
The study observed 27 mongrels that wandered freely around the suburbs of Rome.
Study reveals new insight on canine hierarchy

Scientists studying a pack of wild dogs have observed high levels of aggression in the middle of the dominance hierarchy.

Top dogs in a pack are known to display dominance-related aggression. But researchers believe that dogs in the middle tier may also show this behaviour, as they try to work out their place in the crowded middle.

The study was carried out by researchers at the University of Exeter and the Veterinary Service of the Local Health Unit Rome 3 (Italy).

“Our results reveal the unavoidable costs of climbing a dominance hierarchy,” explains Dr Matthew Silk from the University of Exeter. “In the middle of the hierarchy – where it’s harder to predict which animal should be dominant – we see lots of aggression.”

Published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B, the study observed 27 mongrels that wandered freely around the suburbs of Rome. The dogs did not live with humans but did rely on them for food.

After a year, researchers concluded the group’s hierarchy was based on age and sex, with adults dominant over younger dogs and males dominant over females of the same age group.

“Although fights within a social group of free-roaming dogs are usually characterised by low-intensity aggression, the middle of the hierarchy is occupied by young males of similar size and age, among whom nothing is definitive and for whom the challenge is to gain rank,” explained Dr Simona Cafazzo, of the University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna.

Dr Eugenia Natoli, of the Veterinary Service of the Local Health Unit Rome 3 added: “Our results confirm that these dogs have an age-graded dominance hierarchy similar to that of wolves.”

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

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News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.