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Gene study into aggressive canine behaviour
A study at the University of Lincoln hopes to establish a genetic link to impulsive aggression in dogs.
A study at the University of Lincoln hopes to establish a genetic link to impulsive aggression in dogs.

Project aims to develop method for identifying high risk dogs

A DNA study is to be carried out to see if there are genetic causes for impulsive aggressive behaviour in some dogs.

Life Sciences PhD student Fernanda Fadel from The University of Lincoln is carrying out the research.

She says some dogs may be predisposed to act aggressively with little warning, which can lead to people being injured and the dogs being rejected and euthanised.

Fernanda hopes to identify the genetic risk factors of dog aggression.

“While aggressive behaviour is a normal part of every animal’s make up, it is important to identify individuals who represent a higher risk, in order to manage this risk effectively," she said.

“A central theme to this work is the recognition that we all have the same core traits; we just tend to express them to a greater or lesser degree as individuals. Thus anyone can be aggressive, but some may be more likely to show this in a given circumstance than another.”

The project aims to develop a method for identifying at-risk dogs, who can then be treated to reduce the risk to others. 

For the study, Fernanda is recruiting dogs based on components of their personality, measured using a questionnaire developed at the University of Lincoln called the Dog Impulsivity Assessment Scale (DIAS).

She will then collect DNA samples by taking a saliva swab from those dogs that match a certain profile, either as lower risk or higher risk subjects. Fernanda will then compare the genomes of both the low and high risk dogs.

When the relevant genes have been identified, researchers aim to develop a genetic test to identify dogs with a tendency towards aggressive behaviour.

To take part in the survey click here.

If you are looking for help with managing your dog’s behaviour, you can contact the university’s Animal Behaviour Clinic

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.