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Largest former Dogs Trust dog wins award
Galahad weighs the same as a heavyweight boxer, or a baby elephant!

Giant Galahad crowned Dog of the Year 2021. 

Galahad, the largest dog ever to be rehomed by Dogs Trust, was crowned the Dog of the Year at The People's Pet Awards on Friday 10 December.

Weighing an incredible 100kg, Galahad the mastiff made global headlines in May 2021 when an appeal to find him his forever home went viral on the internet.

Galahad's new owners the Dimmock family adopted him in June, and are thrilled that he is being celebrated in this way: “It feels quite surreal that he’s won this award, but he’s a really special dog and we’re thrilled. We’re so grateful to Dogs Trust for bringing him into our lives,” said Colin Dimmock.

“Galahad is the fourth really big dog we’ve had and is the biggest of them all. Every one of them has been so loveable and loyal.

“He’s absolutely brilliant with Matthew, who is autistic. They have such a great relationship. He loves everything about Galahad, apart from the slobber and his snoring that’s so loud we can hear him from our bedroom!”

Galahad was crowned Dog of the Year at a ceremony at the Grosvenor Hotel in London on Friday 10 December, and Dogs Trust chief executive Owen Sharp, who was among the judges who chose Galahad as the winner, said: “I’ve heard so much about Galahad and it was brilliant to finally have the chance to meet the lovable giant.

“The entire judging panel were touched by the gentle giant’s journey to finding his forever home.

“The stories behind the award winners are all so heart-warming and inspirational - from campaigners who are working to change the law to help animals, to animals who have changed the lives of the people they share theirs with, just like Galahad.”

Images (C) Dogs Trust

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Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NSA webinar explores sheep tailing and castration

The National Sheep Association (NSA) is to host a free webinar on the castration and tail docking of lambs.

The webinar, 'Understanding the tailing and castration consultation: A guide for sheep farmers', will be hosted online on Monday, 2 March 2026 at 7.30pm.

It comes during a government consultation into the methods used for these procedures. Farmers are encouraged to engage before the consultation period closes on Monday, 9 March 2026.

The webinar offers clear and actionable guidance to support farmers to contribute meaningfully to the consultation and prepare for potential changes.

On the panel will be former SVS president Kate Hovers, farmer and vet Ann Van Eetvelt and SRUC professor in Animal Health and Veterinary Sciences Cathy Dwyer. Each panel member will utilise their own specialism and expertise to evaluate risks and outcomes to sheep farming.

Find out more about the webinar on the NSA website.