New research from the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) has identified that research into behaviour, clinical practice, shelter welfare and breed-related diseases are amongst the highest research priorities for experts in canine health and welfare – highlighting the impact of human decisions on dogs’ lives. These future insights will support ongoing efforts to enhance dog welfare by helping to improve the research and funding process.

Conducting the study, the RVC convened almost 60 stakeholders in the canine health and welfare sector linked to animal charities, universities and other associated organisations, such as veterinary practices and The Kennel Club. Participants individually identified issues of concern regarding canine health and welfare and related research processes and infrastructure, and then collectively prioritised a list comprising 200 issues.

Of those issues ranking the highest priority, eight research categories were identified – many of which demonstrate the complexity of interrelated factors that impact both people and the welfare of dogs. These included issues relating to canine behaviour, ownership, societal factors, breeding and supply, breed-related diseases, importation, clinical practice and shelter welfare. In identifying these topics, the participants also prioritised research areas designed to have the greatest impact, with a strong focus on matters that investigate the human factors in canine welfare.

Additional findings included:

• The top three ‘relatively underfunded issues’ were increasing the supply of healthy well-bred dogs, dog bite attacks and the impact of human lifestyle on canine behaviour. Additional issues also identified as ‘relatively underfunded’ included common chronic medical disorders of dogs such as, patellar luxation, overgrown nails, otitis externa, periodontal disease and anal sac problems - making them high priorities for increased future research funding.
• Research topics identified as previously ‘most underfunded’ all concerned real-world canine welfare issues, particularly emphasising the breeding and supply of dogs.
• Animal-directed funders, such as animal charities, provided most or all the past research funding (2012-22) for six of the eight highest-priority research topic categories.
• Participants recommended improving transparency of the funding processes and increasing collaboration between stakeholder groups throughout the funding sector.

The RVC team leading the research comprised Dr Alison Skipper, Postdoctoral Researcher in Canine Research Funding; Dr Rowena Packer, Lecturer in Companion Animal Behaviour and Welfare Science; and Dr Dan O’Neill, Associate Professor of Companion Animal Epidemiology. Taking these findings, the team analysed and compared the data with past research funding, developing guidelines for future research priorities and suggesting ways to improve research funding processes. This will help future research funding to be allocated more effectively, maximising its value for improving canine lives by investigating the highest priority issues that affect dogs and their caregivers today.

Dr Alison Skipper, previously Researcher in Canine Health Research at the RVC and lead author of the paper, said: “This new study reveals the top priorities for future research in canine health and welfare, which are mostly concerned with investigating real-world problems with the human-canine relationship, such as the impact of poor breeding practices and poor understanding of dogs’ needs. We hope this research can help funders and researchers to develop future research projects that will make a real difference to canine lives.”

Dr Dan O’Neill, Associate Professor in Companion Animal Epidemiology at the RVC and co-author of the paper, said: “This new study from the RVC offers a wake-up call for researchers and funders to focus more on what matters most to dogs and humans at a population level. Commonplace disorders affecting ears, teeth, anal sacs and nails blight the lives of huge proportions of dogs but are shown here to be woefully underfunded and under-researched. Researchers and funders now have the evidence that should shape the next decade of funded research for dogs.”

Simona Zito, Grants and Programmes Manager at Battersea, said: “At Battersea we are committed to exploring societal issues and deepening our understanding of the vital human-canine relationship and we are proud to have contributed to this important work by the RVC, which provides valuable insights into our sector. The findings highlight key thematic priorities in research, along with the structural reforms necessary to improve future funding processes, all of which will ultimately help the sector and its shared mission to improve animal health and welfare.”

Jennifer Millard, Chair of The Kennel Club Charitable Trust, said: “This project, supported by The Kennel Club Charitable Trust, provides vital insights into the gaps and priorities for the future in our sector. We remain dedicated to supporting research which makes a real difference to dog health and welfare and look forward to continuing to work with others to tackle some of the most pressing issues outlined and create better outcomes for both dogs and those who care for them.”

This study was commissioned and jointly funded by Battersea, Dogs Trust, The Kennel Club Charitable Trust (KCCT), and the Waltham Foundation.