science wire

The study reveals novel insights into the behaviour of Cockapoos, Cavapoos and Labradoodles which can support owners considering which type of dog to purchase A new study from the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) has revealed that three popular designer Poodle-crossbreeds (often generically called Doodles), Cockapoos, Labradoodles and Cavapoos, often display higher levels of undesirable behaviour than their purebred parent breeds.

Research from the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) has been shortlisted for the prestigious STEM for Britain 2026 award in recognition of its work applying artificial intelligence (AI) to improve fracture detection in animals. By successfully applying an advanced AI system to equine fracture cases and evidencing its cross-species capability, the findings identify opportunities to strengthen diagnostic accuracy and efficiency in veterinary practice and support animal welfare.

Scientists have identified a further twelve dog breeds as being at risk of Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome - a condition that can cause serious breathing problems - including the Pekingese,

Following new research, the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) has introduced guidelines to help veterinarians safely check feeding tube placement in dogs and cats.

New research from the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) has found that although dog owners can often accurately identify common canine health problems, they frequently underestimate how urgently to seek veterinary care.

New research from the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) has revealed divided public attitudes in the UK towards crossbreeding flat-faced (brachycephalic) dogs. The UK public disagrees on whether crossbreeding improves or worsens the health, appearance and temperament of flat-faced dogs, with preferences relating to cute appearance and companionship often outweighing health concerns when owners decide which dog to acquire.

A new study led by the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) has verified that lop-eared rabbits are more prone to hidden and potentially painful ear disease. The findings address evidence gaps from previous research and highlight the importance of routine veterinary otoscopic ear checks to help owners protect the health and wellbeing of pet rabbits.

Dogs that can recognise hundreds of objects by name alone are extremely rare.

New research from the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) has found that advising owners to behave calmly during their arrivals and departures helped puppies adjust to being left on their own.

A new study from the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) has identified that ageing causes a significant loss of blood vessels in the tendons of horses.

New research from the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) has revealed a 2075% increase in soft-tissue surgical referrals over the past 10 years for French Bulldogs at the RVC's Queen Mother Hospital for Animals (QMHA ) in London.

Dogs exhibited morphological differences from wolves around 11,000 B.C. Even at that time, there was a surprising range of variation among early dogs - long before the 19th century breeding practices that produced modern breeds.

A minimally-invasive treatment for severe intervertebral disc disease in small dog breeds is now available at the University of Cambridge's Queen's Veterinary School Hospital - the only place in the UK currently providing the procedure.

A new study from the Royal Veterinary College's (RVC) VetCompass programme has revealed the most common health challenges facing Ragdolls - one of the UK's most popular cat breeds.

Last Updated: 29 Oct 2025 10:36:30 Researchers from the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) have launched a major new study to improve the safety and welfare of Thoroughbred racehorses in training. The project will provide vital evidence to help reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injury, one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in racehorses worldwide.

Last Updated: 14 Oct 2025 01:00:03 A new study from the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) has found that the Boxer, English Springer Spaniel and Cocker Spaniel are the dog breeds most likely to have a tail injury.

New research from the Royal Veterinary College shows children gain comfort and companionship from dogs, but problem behaviours, unmet expectations and the maternal mental load create challenges for f

Born to run? New RVC study reveals link between early-life experiences and later-life performance in Thoroughbreds New research conducted by the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) has revealed that Thoroughbred foals that are given extensive turnout in larger pastures during their first six months of life, and those weaned later, are more likely to go on to race, compete more often, and earn more prize money.

New research conducted by the Royal Veterinary College (RVC)'s VetCompass programme, exploring the demography, clinical health and longevity of Yorkshire Terriers in the UK, has revealed they are largely healthy and long-lived dogs.

A new study by the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) VetCompass Programme has revealed that nail clipping in dogs in the UK is a highly common procedure and recommends additional training and education to further support veterinarians and owners to provide optimal nail care and support animal welfare.

New research from the RVC VetCompass Programme has provided fresh insights into survival rates for dogs diagnosed with haemangiosarcoma, one of the most aggressive cancers in companion animals. Despite an association with extremely poor survival rates, this study reveals that outcomes can vary more widely than previously understood, particularly based on tumour location and treatment pathway.

For nearly a decade, the health of horses has been better understood thanks to the work of Dr. Renaud Léguillette , DMV PhD, Calgary Chair in Equine Sports Medicine at the University of Calgary's Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (UCVM).

A new study from the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) has revealed that sensory monotony can induce boredom-like behaviour in rats, as happens in humans. These findings could have implications for animal training, animal welfare, and for understanding what happens when humans get bored of doing the same task.

New research from the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) has revealed that when given a choice, the UK prefers less extreme body shapes in flat-faced (brachycephalic) dogs.

RVC research highlights the potential gains from early conversations and treatment for newly diagnosed cats with diabetes New research from the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) has shed new light on the epidemiology, risk factors and outcomes for cats diagnosed with diabetes mellitus in the UK.

New research from the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) has revealed beak abnormalities, overgrown nails and shell abnormalities as the most common health disorders affecting pet tortoises, terrapins and turtles in the UK. As the largest study of its kind, these findings identify several key areas through which the welfare of these animals can be improved and highlight the value of greater awareness amongst owners and veterinary teams to ensure the wellbeing of these species is protected.

A team of researchers within the VetCompass Programme at the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) studying dental disease in rabbits under primary veterinary care have identified common clinical signs for rabbits experiencing dental disease and assessed veterinary diagnostic and treatment methods.

A new study from the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) has found there's no substantial link between popular conformation in rabbits, including floppy ears or flat faces, and an increased risk of dental problems.

New research from zoologists at Trinity College Dublin has pinpointed park entrances and playgrounds in Dublin as hotspots for roundworm eggs, with subsequent analysis strongly implying they have come from dog faeces. While unsavoury, the findings do pinpoint these locations for targeted interventions to reduce the risk of human infection.

New research from the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) has found electroacupuncture has good success in treating equine trigeminal nerve-mediated headshaking (TMHS), with nearly two-thirds of horses showing improvement after treatment.

New RVC research reveals improved outcomes over time for canine mitral valve repair surgery using a structured multidisciplinary approach A new publication from the Royal Veterinary College (RVC), re

New research from the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) pandemic puppies research programme has highlighted the negative impact of problem behaviours in young adult dogs on the strength of the owner-dog relationship.

New research from the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) has identified more than 100 genes that may contribute to bone fracture risk in Thoroughbreds. These findings will inform further research into genetic risk factors, contributing to health and well-being efforts and supporting the development of novel interventions to reduce fracture risk in horses.

A new study led by the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) has shown positive clinical outcomes and quality of life for cats suffering from severe heart conditions through the implantation of epicardial pacemakers (EPs). The use of EP implantation to facilitate artificial cardiac pacing (ACP) effectively resolved symptoms including abnormally slow heart rates (bradyarrhythmia) in cats.

One in seven owners of extreme brachycephalic dogs stated that 'nothing' could put them off buying a brachycephalic dog.

New research conducted by the Royal Veterinary College (RVC), in collaboration with Dogs Trust, has identified experiences in a puppy's early life that put them at the greatest risk of developing separation-related behaviours (SRBs) when left home alone. These include how much sleep a puppy receives and if they sleep in an enclosed space, the use of reward and aversive training techniques, the effectiveness of house training, the age of owners and how much owners fussed over their dog when reunited, in the first study of its kind.

Researchers from the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) have determined several factors that could reduce the risk of fatality in Jump racing and substantially improve racehorse welfare.