http://www.manchester.ac.uk/aboutus/news/display/?id=7597

University of Manchester researchers have launched one of the largest studies into the relationship between man and his 'best friend' to explore how humans have influenced the characteristics of domestic dogs through breeding, feeding, training and socialising.
Professors Michael Worboys and Matthew Cobb with Meesha the Catalan sheepdog

The study, entitled 'Pedigree Chums: Science, Medicine and the Remaking of the Dog in the Twentieth Century', will include an exploration of the controversial role humans have played in the rise of dogs that are pure bred, which three years ago resulted in the RSPCA and BBC pulling out of dog show Cruft's over concerns about the health of pedigree dogs.

"It is a cliché that the dog is 'man's best friend' and given its modern position as a domestic companion and use in various types of work there is obvious validity to the claim," said project lead Professor Michael Worboys, from the Centre for the History of Science, Technology and Medicine in the Faculty of Life Sciences.

"Despite their importance in many people's lives, dogs have been neglected by social scientists, while in medical history, the limited number of studies we have of animals are mainly on livestock and their diseases. Yet the dog and other companion animals now dominate modern veterinary practice - think how the portrayal of television vets has changed over time from All Creatures Great and Small to Rolf Harris's Animal Hospital.

"Furthermore, the dog was transformed in the 20th century by the application of science and medicine: no animal species has been more altered in size, shape, colour or temperament by human selection; no species has a closer relationship with humans; no species is fed a more processed, industrialised diet, and no species has their health treated in a manner so close to what humans enjoy.

"We will study how changing ideas and practices with breeding, feeding, training and treating have essentially remade the modern dog, whether as pet, show dog or working animal."

The research, funded by a £500,000 Wellcome Trust grant, will also investigate the interactions between, and influences of, humans on stray and dangerous dogs, as well as the use of dogs in the laboratory for health and medical research, both for the benefit of humans and canines.

Matthew Cobb, Professor of Zoology in Manchester's Faculty of Life Sciences and a co-investigator on the project, added: "Veterinary medicine and animal health has been poorly served by researchers despite the subject being given priority funding for many years.

"We will also explore how aspects of human-dog relations have been increasingly medicalised, to the point where dogs are called 'patients' and vets' records list them by their names, not those of their owners."

Sounds interesting, although it sounds as though a large chunk of their research has already been done by Coppinger and the like.

no species is fed a more processed, industrialised diet

That's quite a claim, is it really true or just a little bit of hyperbole creeping in there? What about hens?

and Rabbits.

Not to mention cats -so many people feed them just dry food which contains lots of cereal and little meat -to an animal that needs meat more than anything. In fact I'd say cats were fed far worse than dogs. Then there's all the small pets, birds fed on coloured kibble as vets claim that is the best -and shall I mention people living on take aways?!

Ill probably get slammed for saying this but wellcome (who I think might have been glaxo- wellcome) over the years, have cut up a lot of dogs.
So I find it a bit strange they want to do a study like this,and I dont trust them.

I'm pretty sure Cattle are fed an industrialised diet on many farms - isn't this where BSE came from?

Rabbits, Guinea Pigs, Chinchillas and small rodents fed on Pellets and coloured granules - nothing natural there!

And what about the Smoking Beagles, and all the other dogs used for similar purposes?

We will study how changing ideas and practices with breeding, feeding, training and treating have essentially remade the modern dog, whether as pet, show dog or working animal."

Hmmm, Vets have almost no idea of how caring responsible breeders work, so exactly what are they going to be studying here?   Licensed breeders?  Show Breeders?   Back Yard Breeders who haven't a clue?  

I've a feeling this isn't as innocent as they would have us believe :(

I know I can be a cynical old whatsit sometimes, but what a waste of money!!!

What an absolute waste of money, they seriously need to do research on how the dog is doing in the 21st century and look into everything from relationships, to the medical treats and the fact they are now called patients too, to food. Another £500,000 thrown down the toilet, you don't need to do a study, can't they just use their eyes, who needs this information, what good is it?

Now, if they want to use that money to help with research in sorting out some breeds with medical issues, if they want to do research on making better foods, or tightening up over-breeding that may well be a service to the dog.

But spending half a million on telling everyone what we already know, what a waste......... why don't these people do something useful instead of surveys and studies, it's as if these people just think of random things to do in an effort to keep their over-paid jobs.

And after they have finished their study, who will be interested in their findings? Not the GP who are the biggest influence on any breed of dog and it's role of the domestic dog today, those people won't care what studies and surveys show...........

I really wish these hundreds and thousands of pointless studies to do with absolutely everything today would stop,  in doing so this country would save millions and they might all go and get a proper job which benefits the people on the planet. 

Off my soapbox. Just fed up with the waste of funds. :-(

> I really wish these hundreds and thousands of pointless studies to do with absolutely everything today would stop,  in doing so this country would save millions and they might all go and get a proper job which benefits the people on the planet. 
>

My total agreement on your whole post

>My total agreement on your whole post

Absolutely!

It looks a bit far ranging for half a million quid but I do think the social science aspect is interesting.  Evidence of the impact of dogs and pets on our lives should be of interest to politicians, social housing management etc etc.

In generally I would support any research even when we think we already know the answers :).  I feel I know a lot about my dogs and even something of the breeds I am involved with but I don't know what goes on in the country as a whole.

It can also be helpful to have evidence to support our theories.  For instance we may know from instinct and personal experience that reward bases training methods are preferable but how much better to be able to support that with evidence when presented with a differing arguement.

At the end of the day they are not using public funds so are free to use their own money, of which I am sure they have plenty, how ever they wish.

We all know how to evaluate the issue of funding on research evidence but Manchester University is a prestigious one not run out of a trailer park in Texas so I personally think it will be interesting to see what comes out of it.

Just wondering, does research, studies and surveys come under expenses? Do companies do these things to alleviate tax especially on a £500,000 scale?

Stooge in total agreement. Things change and so continual assessment is always needed in many areas to assess and verify or report on deviations which could have significant value.  Until you do the research only assumptions can be made.

£500K is a mere drop in the ocean on the range of research done in the uk as well as globally.

It is a vital part of the forever changing world we live in :-)

> Just wondering, does research, studies and surveys come under expenses?

Of course. Research and development is part of any large companies expenditure I am sure.

> Do companies do these things to alleviate tax especially on a £500,000 scale?

Possibly but maybe they just think the answers will be useful to them :)

http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/cevm/paws-4-pedigrees/paws-4-pedigrees.aspx

This is another research project that I was emailed about this morning via email.

It says they obtained my details from Champdogs.

That looks interesting too. 

Yes it does but do think they should try and target more less 'reputable' dog breeding sites to may get the other side of 'breeder' thoughts on the merits of health testing to get the balance on where the bigger issues are maybe ?

>Yes it does but do think they should try and target more less 'reputable' dog breeding sites to may get the other side of 'breeder' thoughts on the merits of health testing to get the balance on where the bigger issues are maybe ?

Maybe they have :) Champdogs is not the only fruit :)