Murray Jane Katherine, Kinsman Rachel Heather, Lord Michelle Susannah, Da Costa Rosa Elizabete Pinto, Woodward Joshua Luke, Owczarczak-Garstecka Sara Cecylia, Tasker Séverine, Knowles Toby Grahame, Casey Rachel Alison
Dogs Trust, London, UK.
Co-Evolve, Bristol, UK.
BMC Vet Res. 2021 Jan 4;17(1):1. doi: 10.1186/s12917-020-02730-8.
Despite extensive research, many questions remain unanswered about common problems that impact dog welfare, particularly where there are multiple contributing factors that can occur months or years before the problem becomes apparent. The Generation Pup study is the first longitudinal study of dogs that recruits pure- and mixed-breed puppies, aiming to investigate the relative influence of environmental and genetic factors on a range of health and behaviour outcomes, (including separation related behaviour, aggression to familiar/unfamiliar people or dogs and obesity). This paper describes the study protocol in detail.
Prior to commencing recruitment of puppies, the study infrastructure was developed, and subject specialists were consulted to inform data collection methodology. Questionnaire content and timepoint(s) for data collection for outcomes and potential predictors were chosen with the aim of providing the best opportunity of achieving the aims of the study, subject to time and funding constraints. Recruitment of puppies (< 16 weeks, or < 21 weeks of age if entering the United Kingdom or Republic of Ireland through quarantine) is underway. By 23 January 2020, 3726 puppies had been registered, with registration continuing until 10,000 puppies are recruited. Data collection encompasses owner-completed questionnaires issued at set timepoints throughout the dog's life, covering aspects such as training, diet, exercise, canine behaviour, preventative health care, clinical signs and veterinary intervention. Owners can elect to submit additional data (health cards completed by veterinary professionals, canine biological samples) and/or provide consent for access to veterinary clinical notes. Incidence and breed associations will be calculated for conditions for which there is currently limited information (e.g. separation related behaviour). Multivariable statistical analysis will be conducted on a range of outcomes that occur throughout different life stages, with the aim of identifying modifiable risk factors that can be used to improve canine health and welfare.
The Generation Pup project is designed to identify associations between early-life environment, genotypic make-up and outcomes at different life stages. Modifiable risk factors can be used to improve canine health and welfare. Research collaboration with subject specialists is welcomed and already underway within the fields of orthopaedic research, epilepsy, epigenetics and canine impulsivity.
尽管进行了广泛研究，但关于影响犬类福利的常见问题仍有许多疑问未得到解答，特别是在存在多种促成因素的情况下，这些因素可能在问题显现前数月或数年就已出现。“幼犬世代”研究是第一项针对犬类的纵向研究，招募纯种和混种幼犬，旨在调查环境和遗传因素对一系列健康和行为结果（包括与分离相关的行为、对熟悉/不熟悉的人或犬的攻击性以及肥胖）的相对影响。本文详细描述了研究方案。
在开始招募幼犬之前，建立了研究基础设施，并咨询了主题专家以确定数据收集方法。在时间和资金限制的前提下，选择了问卷内容以及结果和潜在预测因素的数据收集时间点，目的是为实现研究目标提供最佳机会。目前正在招募幼犬（年龄小于16周，如果通过检疫进入英国或爱尔兰共和国则小于21周）。截至2020年1月23日，已有3726只幼犬登记，登记工作将持续到招募到10000只幼犬为止。数据收集包括在犬的一生中按设定时间点由主人填写的问卷，涵盖训练、饮食、运动、犬类行为、预防性医疗保健、临床症状和兽医干预等方面。主人可以选择提交额外数据（兽医专业人员填写的健康卡、犬类生物样本）和/或同意获取兽医临床记录。将针对目前信息有限的病症（如与分离相关的行为）计算发病率和品种关联。将对不同生命阶段出现的一系列结果进行多变量统计分析，目的是确定可用于改善犬类健康和福利的可改变风险因素。
“幼犬世代”项目旨在确定早期生活环境、基因型构成与不同生命阶段结果之间的关联。可改变风险因素可用于改善犬类健康和福利。欢迎与主题专家开展研究合作，目前在骨科研究、癫痫、表观遗传学和犬类冲动性等领域已经在进行合作。
