Researchers to follow puppies through their lives
The Dogs Trust needs puppies under 16 weeks old to join its Generation Pup study, the first ever to follow dogs of all breeds for their whole lives.
Jane Murray, welfare project and grants deputy head of research at the Dogs Trust said the study hopes to better understand "how early life experiences influence the health and behaviour of dogs throughout their lives".
The charity said by collecting information about puppies such as their environment, family, health, behaviour and experiences, it can build a picture of a whole generation of dogs.
The charity added that it has almost reached its milestone of recruiting 10,000 puppies, but is still looking for a few hundred more to join the project.
Researchers could investigate whether aspects such as environment, social interaction, diet, exercise or daily routine may be important in the development of a range of health and behaviour conditions which impact on the welfare of our dogs.
Recent data submitted by owners when their dogs were six, nine, 12, 15 and 18 months old, found that the highest proportion of dogs showing one or more undesirable behaviours was for the 12-month-old dogs, with barking, recall issues, pulling on the lead and jumping up the most frequently reported behaviours.
Follow BBC Cornwall on X, Facebook and Instagram. Follow BBC Devon on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@bbc.co.uk.
Dog rescue charities call for government support
Puppy raisers sought to help train more guide dogs
Prince William celebrates birthday with puppy photo
Related internet links
Dogs Trust
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
a minute ago
- Yahoo
Shellfish bed is closed due to bacteria levels
An area where shellfish are harvested has been temporarily closed after bacteria levels were found to exceed "permitted" levels. Shellfish beds at Stubborn Sands, Heacham, have been closed to commercial harvesting, King's Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council said. The council also warned members of the public not to collect shellfish, in particular cockles, "as doing so may pose a risk to human health". According to a council spokesman, the high bacteria levels were detected during monthly sampling of the shellfish beds for The authority posted a notice on its website which said: "As part of the council's routine shellfish sampling programme for the classification of shellfish beds, a recent sample taken from the shellfish bed at Heacham known as Stubborn Sands INNER, has returned bacterial levels exceeding the permitted threshold." It said the beds would routinely reopen after "two consecutive satisfactory results" were taken, but would now remain closed until September. This was "at least", in part due to "a seasonal closure in August" which had taken place for the past two years due to "historic poor" test results in the summer month. The area affected impacts a private fishery and those with rights to the area. Most Wash fishing crews were "unaffected by this closure", the council spokesman said. Commercial harvesting of shellfish that occurs within the borough is regulated through the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and borough council's role is to ensure harvested shellfish come from areas monitored and classified in accordance with regulation. The beach at Heacham near Hunstanton has been classified as poor by the Environment Agency since 2021, with the cause of the problem being disputed among experts and locals. Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. More local stories Peta urges festival to fish for apples instead of crabs Woman died after lick from dog caused infection Sandringham Flower Show returns before 'pause' Related internet links King's Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Man's Deadly Brain Tumor Vanishes After Taking Breakthrough Drug: ‘Lucky Break in a Devastating Situation'
A man with one of the deadliest forms of brain cancer is now hopeful for the future after his tumor completely disappeared thanks to a breakthrough drug. In October 2022, Ben Trotman was 40 years old when he was diagnosed with glioblastoma, a rare form of terminal cancer that kills more than 10,000 Americans a year, according to the National Brain Tumor Society. Glioblastoma, also known as GBM, has no known cure. Standard treatment involves surgery to remove the tumor (if possible), followed by radiation and chemotherapy. The disease is considered a highly invasive tumor in the central nervous system because its cells reproduce extremely quickly. Those who are diagnosed with the malignant tumor have a median survival rate of about 14 to 14.5 months. Following his diagnosis, Trotman was referred by a friend to The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery at University College London Hospitals (UCLH). There, Dr. Paul Mulholland, a consultant medical oncologist, recruited Trotman to be the first patient in his clinical trial. The trial involved him receiving the immunotherapy drug ipilimumab to treat his glioblastoma before undergoing any standard treatment. Afterward, Trotman began radiation and chemotherapy. 'The crucial element of this trial is that patients will have their immune system boosted by the drug before they have any other treatment, when they are fit and well enough to tolerate the immunotherapy,' Mulholland said in a press release. The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now! Two years and eight months after being the sole participant in the clinical trial, Trotman, now 43, is tumor-free, and his scans have come back clear. 'It is very unusual to have a clear scan with glioblastoma, especially when he didn't have the follow-up surgery that had been planned to remove all of the tumour that was initially visible on scans,' Mulholland explained. 'We hope that the immunotherapy and follow-up treatment Ben has had will hold his tumour at bay, and it has so far, which we are delighted to see.' Mulholland added that his goal is to find a cure for the 'devastating disease' that is glioblastoma, and he's hoping to move forward with additional patients. Trotman is now married to wife Emily, and the couple welcomed daughter Mabel in April. The couple told the hospital that the clinical trial gave Trotman his life back. 'Getting this diagnosis was the most traumatic experience,' Emily said. 'We were grappling with the fact that Ben had gone from being apparently perfectly healthy to having months to live. Had we not met Dr. Mulholland, that would have been it for us. We felt we had a lucky break in an otherwise devastating situation.' 'We obviously don't know what the future holds, but having had the immunotherapy treatment and getting these encouraging scan results has given Emily and I a bit of hope,' Trotman added. 'We are focused on rebuilding the life we thought we had lost and enjoying being parents.' The new father said he's hoping that his brain cancer journey will give others hope and inspire more patients to participate in the next clinical trial. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. is now available in the Apple App Store! Download it now for the most binge-worthy celeb content, exclusive video clips, astrology updates and more! Dame Siobhain McDonagh — member of parliament of the UK who lost her sister from glioblastoma in 2023 — led a fundraising campaign and raised more than €1 million to cover the costs of the next trial. 'My beloved sister Margaret was appalled to discover that there had been no advances in brain cancer treatment for decades when she was diagnosed with glioblastoma,' McDonagh said. 'Changing this was Margaret's final campaign and one that I have continued in her memory. I am so grateful to the many people who knew and respected Margaret who have come together and helped to raise funds and campaign for this new trial that we are calling Margaret's Trial.' Mullholland recalled meeting Margaret. 'When I met Margaret, she said to me, 'What can I do to support you to cure this disease?'" 'I am incredibly grateful to her and to Siobhain, whose campaigning and fundraising in her sister's memory has led to this new clinical trial opening for patients with this most aggressive form of brain cancer that has such a poor prognosis.' Read the original article on People
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Retired banker hits halfway mark in bid to run 200 marathons around coast
A retired banker who is striving to become the first man over the age of 60 to run the entire coastline of mainland Britain completed his 100th consecutive day of running. Steve James, 65, has reached the halfway point of his goal to run 200 marathons in 200 days, while researchers at the University of Exeter monitor the impact on his body. Mr James set off from Topsham, Devon on April 16 and will end his feat there after running anticlockwise around the coast for seven months. He currently runs for around six hours each day, occasionally staying with his wife in their camper van, or in various accommodation. 'Reaching the halfway stage is a milestone I could only have dreamed of when I set off 100 days ago,' he said as he marked the milestone by running from Oban to Craobh Haven . 'There have been points where I didn't know if I'd make it, but I've proved to myself I'm capable of pushing beyond my limits, both physical and mental. 'It's overwhelming looking back on what I've achieved. 'I feel so proud of myself and hope I can inspire others over 60, that you are never too old to attempt the impossible no matter how ridiculous it seems.' Mr James, a father of five, has already faced his share of hardships on his journey, running through harsh weather conditions, closed footpaths, severely blistered feet, and a gout flare-up resulting in a trip to hospital. The Exeter research team assessed him before his departure and continue to monitor him throughout this challenge. They are studying his calorie intake, blood, oxygen and muscle measurements to examine the effect of such an extreme sport on the body. 'By the end of this challenge, the scientists will have more insight into how far a 65-year-old person can push their body,' Mr James, who lives and trains on Dartmoor, said. 'Of all the challenges I've done, this is the most extreme and the biggest stretch.' At this stage the team has seen no adverse effects of this high-endurance challenge in the blood samples which are being used to measure hormone fluctuations, inflammation and overall health. Mr James has lost weight although this was a likely result the researchers anticipated because of his extreme calorie output. Dr Freyja Haigh, nutritional physiology researcher at the University of Exeter, said: 'Having reached this point would be an incredible achievement for anyone, but doing it in your 60s is a whole different ballgame. 'What Steve is doing really challenges the stereotypes of ageing and redefines what's possible later in life. 'It's also fascinating in terms of the science; Steve gives us a real insight into how this type of endurance affects the body of an older person. 'It's been such a privilege to work with him so far and I can't wait to see how he gets on in this next stage. 'We're currently tracking Steve's energy intake and expenditure in order to assess any changes in body mass, which is to be expected with this very physical challenge. 'We're unsure at the moment if Steve's weight loss is from fat or muscle mass. I'm hoping to visit him in the near future to take muscle thickness measurements at multiple points on the body to compare with those we took before he left.' Throughout his life, Mr James has loved physical challenges, from taking part in Ten Tors hiking challenge while at school, to cycling around the world in 220 days in 2019. The record for running the British coastline is held by Nick Butter, who completed the feat in 128 days at the age of 31. But Mr James is the first person over 60 to attempt the feat.
