Topic description and stories

Four Boston Terrier study participants with (from left to right) Dr David Sargan, Dr Fran Tomlinson and Dr Jane Ladlow, from the Cambridge Veterinary School

Pekingese, Shih Tzu and Staffordshire Bull Terrier among twelve dog breeds at risk of serious breathing condition

18 Feb 2026

Scientists have identified a further 12 dog breeds as being at risk of Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome – a condition that can cause...

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Dachshund receiving treatment

New treatment for severe spinal cord injury in small dogs achieves exceptional success rate

07 Nov 2025

A minimally-invasive treatment for severe intervertebral disc disease in small dog breeds is now available at the University of Cambridge’s Queen’s...

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Dog eating raw meat

Dogs may be at risk from high levels of lead from shotgun pellets in raw pheasant dog food, study finds

03 May 2023

Researchers tested samples of raw pheasant dog food and discovered that the majority contained high levels of lead that could put dogs’ health at...

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Dog in hay barn

Preventing genetic diseases in dogs, our best friends

20 Apr 2023

How genetics and DNA testing can pave the way for more puppies to be born free from hereditary illnesses.

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Gone to the dogs

25 May 2021

A story of finding unexpected companionship at the site of the worst nuclear accident in history, Chernobyl.

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The curious tale of the cancer ‘parasite’ that sailed the seas

01 Aug 2019

A contagious canine cancer that conquered the world by spreading between dogs during mating likely arose around 6,000 years ago in Asia and spread...

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French bulldog

Scheme launched to improve health of French Bulldogs, Pugs and Bulldogs

04 Feb 2019

A new screening scheme aims to provide breeders of French Bulldogs, Pugs and Bulldogs with more information about the health of their dogs, helping...

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Ancient American dogs almost completely wiped out by arrival of European breeds

05 Jul 2018

The arrival of Europeans to the Americas, beginning in the 15th century, all but wiped out the dogs that had lived alongside native people on the...

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No simple way of predicting breathing difficulties in pugs, French bulldogs and bulldogs from external features

01 Aug 2017

As many as a half of all short-nosed dogs such as pugs, French bulldogs and bulldogs experience breathing difficulties related to their facial...

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Opinion: How to save inbred, short-faced dogs such as pugs and bulldogs from poor health

02 Aug 2016

David Sargan (Department of Veterinary Medicine) discusses the health implications of breeding the perfect pets.

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Claire Pesterfield and Magic

Diabetes sniffer dogs? ‘Scent’ of hypos could aid development of new tests

27 Jun 2016

A chemical found in our breath could provide a flag to warn of dangerously-low blood sugar levels in patients with type 1 diabetes, according to new...

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A shaggy dog story: The contagious cancer that conquered the world

17 May 2016

A contagious form of cancer that can spread between dogs during mating has highlighted the extent to which dogs accompanied human travellers...

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