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Welcome
About Dogslife
The Dogslife Launch
Why are studies like Dogslife important?
Labradors at work: guide dogs
Taking dogs abroad
Welcome
Welcome to the first addition of the Dogslife Newsletter! We hope you will find the newsletter informative and enjoyable. Thank you for your interest and contribution to the project. We are extremely grateful to the Kennel Club Charitable Trust who are generously funding the project and without whom; we would not be able to undertake such an important and ground breaking study. Until next time, we wish you and your dogs a very happy and healthy summer! For now, happy reading…
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About Dogslife
Dogslife aims to collect information (e.g. feeding, exercise and general health care) from owners of Kennel Club registered Labrador Retrievers born after the 1st January 2010. Owners are asked to complete a short questionnaire about their dog every month for the first year and three monthly thereafter. With continued interest and support, we will be able to evaluate which factors contribute to the health of dogs in the study. This research is vital to help us identify risks for dogs developing disease in the future.
As well as a monthly newsletter we will be updating the website with the latest results, giving you the chance to win prizes for your dog and encouraging you to keep a scrapbook with all your dog’s photos and memorable events. Most notably, you will be able to keep a clear and simple record of your dog’s health to see how your dog develops throughout its life.
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The Dogslife Launch
Dogslife launched on the 1st July. The project was on the BBC Scotland news and also in many newspapers the following day. Articles were written in The Times, The Scotsman, The Sun, The Herald, The Press and Journal, the Yorkshire Post, the Courier and Advertiser, the Metro, the Daily Express and on the BBC News website.
If you would like to see the footage of the project, please go to: http://www.ed.ac.uk/news/all-news/puppies-010710.
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Why are studies like Dogslife important?
Longitudinal studies, which follow the health of a group of individuals over a period of time, have identified many of the factors which affect our own health. Their results allow measures to be taken which can reduce the risks of individuals developing disease within a population. We take much of this information for granted, but where did it all come from? For example, what factors affect our risks of developing heart disease as we grow older?
A number of studies have followed groups of people over many years to try and identify the lifestyle or genetic risks for developing heart disease. One of the most famous longitudinal studies is the Framingham Heart Study. The study started in 1948 with a group of over 5000 men and women aged between 30 and 62 from the town of Framingham, Massachusetts in the USA. At the start all the participants were screened to ensure that they had no signs of cardiovascular disease (disease of the heart or blood vessels). Every two years they returned for extensive medical tests and analysis of their lifestyles (such as what they ate, where the lived and how much exercise they did etc).
Over the years the information collected allowed researchers to identify major risk factors (the things which increased or decreased the risk) for cardiovascular disease. For example we now know that high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, smoking, obesity, diabetes, and physical inactivity all increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Furthermore a great deal of valuable information on the effects of related factors such as age, gender, and psychosocial issues was found. Results from the Framingham Heart Study led to the development of effective treatment and preventive strategies for clinical practice. For example we know that encouraging people to stop smoking, eat more healthily and exercise regularly will reduce their risk of heart disease. The study has therefore contributed to the health of all people, not just those in Framingham, through the collection of detailed and accurate records of the health of group of individuals for more than 60 years. Dogslife is aiming to do the same for dogs.
For more information on the Framingham Heart Study, visit www.framinghamheartstudy.org
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Labradors at work: guide dogs
Over the coming months we will be looking at the different roles Labrador Retrievers play in our society. This month we will be looking at the role of Labrador Retrievers as guide dogs. Labrador Retrievers make up approximately one third of guide dogs in the UK.
The first four British guide dogs were trained in 1931, by a member of The Seeing Eye. Three years later, The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association was founded in Wallasey, Cheshire. In 1940, the first training centre was set up in Leamington Spa and in 1956 the ‘puppy walking scheme' was launched. The 1960s saw the start of a breeding programme which was based at Tollgate House, near Warwick.
Today, Guide Dogs has over 30 sites to serve every part of the UK. There are 4 Dog Training Schools, 1 Breeding Centre and 28 District Teams. Guide Dogs has a network of 10,000 volunteers and 1,200 staff in UK and they are the world’s largest breeder and trainer of working dogs. Last year, Guide Dogs was responsible for around 8,000 dogs: 300 ‘mums & dads’ breeding the next generation, 1,100 in puppy walking, 550 in specialist training, 4,500 in a working partnership and 1,500 in retirement. It takes 10-12 months of puppy walking and over 8 months of specialist training until the dogs are ready guide a visually impaired person. A guide dog’s career is between 6 and 7 years and they usually retire around 10 or 11 years of age.
At Guide Dogs, 31% of dogs are pure bred Labrador Retrievers, with a further 47% being Labrador/Golden Retriever crosses. Labradors at Guide Dogs are bred and selected for their gentle characteristics. Their calm temperament is what makes them good guide dogs. Their owners rely on these calm, loyal animals to provide independence in their life.
Guide dogs empower visually impaired people by giving them the ability to get around and live a full life. The charity campaigns for the rights of people with visual impairment, educates the public about eye care and funds eye disease research. The charity receives no government funding so is dependent on voluntary donations.
For more information please visit http://www.guidedogs.org.uk/
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Taking dogs abroad
It’s holiday time! Did you know that dogs are now allowed to travel with you? The Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) enables dogs to travel abroad without having to be quarantined. In order to travel, your dog must be micro chipped, vaccinated against rabies and have a blood sample taken. Your vet will record these procedures in a PET passport and talk to you about whether you need to protect your dog against other diseases depending on your destination. You will need to organise these measures 7 months before your travel date. Homeward bound, your dog must be treated by an authorised vet against ticks and tapeworm 24-48 hours before you travel back to the UK. For more information visit http://www.pethealthinfo.org.uk/travelling_abroad.html
When choosing your holiday, note that PETS only applies to travel between the UK and certain other countries and on particular sea, air and rail routes. If you want your dog to travel, you must arrange the journey with an approved transport company on an authorised route. For more details on the companies and routes, visit http://www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-pets/pets/travel/index.htm
If you are planning to take your dog with you abroad double check that their microchip can be read and ensure that their paperwork is in order so that you meet all the rules and regulations of PETS. Don’t forget to get pet travel insurance before you go! A fact sheet giving information and advice on planning your trip and protecting the welfare of your dog on your travels can be found at: http://www.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/farmanimal/welfare/documents/dogs-cats-welfare.pdf
Since PETS was introduced 10 years ago, over 475,000 pets have travelled across the channel with Eurotunnel alone. That’s a lot of pet friendly holidays not including all those who have travelled by sea and air! We hope that if you choose to take your dog abroad you have a safe and happy holiday!
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Don't forget to come back to Dogslife each month to update your puppy's record www.dogslife.ac.uk
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