Puppies needed in Northern Ireland for ground-breaking canine research

Northern Ireland residents who have recently welcomed a new puppy into their home are being urged to take part in an ambitious and unprecedented research project designed to revolutionise our understanding of dog health and behaviour.

Dogs Trust, the UK’s largest dog welfare charity, is calling for owners of puppies under 16 weeks old to enrol in Generation Pup — a comprehensive long-term study that is the first of its kind in the UK and Republic of Ireland.

With almost 10,000 puppies already signed up, researchers are looking for just a few hundred more to complete the generation-spanning cohort.

The study is managed by Dogs Trust, which has a rehoming centre in Ballymena, and aims to follow dogs of all breeds throughout their lives.

By gathering data on each dog’s environment, lifestyle, health, behaviour, and daily experiences, Generation Pup hopes to identify which early-life factors influence the development of both physical health issues and behavioural traits.

‘Sassy teenager’ phase in dogs highlighted

One of the latest peer-reviewed studies from the Generation Pup project, Owner-Perceived Undesirable Behaviours in Young Dogs and Changes with Age, has provided valuable insights into canine behaviour.

Researchers examined data from owners when their dogs were aged 6, 9, 12, 15, and 18 months, and found that dogs at 12 months old were most likely to exhibit undesirable behaviours.

The most common issues reported included:

• Barking

• Poor recall

• Pulling on the lead

• Jumping up

This phase has been dubbed the ‘sassy teenager’ stage, suggesting a critical period in behavioural development where guidance and training are essential.

Call to action for Northern Ireland dog owners

Jane Murray, Welfare Project and Grants Deputy Head of Research at Dogs Trust, emphasised the significance of the project:

“This important research study aims to deepen our understanding of how early life experiences influence the health and behaviour of dogs throughout their lives. Your participation will make a valuable contribution to improving the welfare of dogs now and in the future.”

With its Ballymena centre serving Northern Ireland, Dogs Trust is particularly keen to see more local puppy owners join the study and help shape the future of dog welfare research.

How to take part

Eligible owners with puppies under 16 weeks old can find full details and register to take part in the study by tapping the butting below.

Register Here