Dog Health & Welfare

The welfare of our dogs is paramount. As a charity we have a 'no-kennel' policy which means that all our dogs live in homes and lead normal, happy lives with our fantastic volunteer socialisers and fosterers.

The welfare of our Medical Detection Dogs is an important issue from the time the puppy comes into our care and this continues throughout the lifetime of the dog.

The Five Freedoms below outline the basic requirements for all animals:

Freedom From Hunger and Thirst
Freedom From Pain, Injury and Disease
Freedom From Discomfort
Freedom From Fear and Distress
Freedom To Express Normal Behaviour

Latest

Job Vacancies

Working for Medical Detection Dogs is an exciting and rewarding experience. We are at the cutting edge of British innovation and collaborate with institutions and healthcare organisations around the world.
Volunteering with Medical Detection Dogs
Rehoming a Medical Detection Dog

The welfare of our dogs is of paramount importance to us; whilst they are training and working, but also when they are retired or withdrawn. Dogs that are ending their career with Medical Detection Dogs make wonderful pets, and we take care to ensure their individual needs are met when finding them a new home. Click on the link to find out more about this rewarding opportunity.
Bowel Cancer
Anatomy of the Dog’s Nose
Our Projects

We research how trained dogs can detect diseases through volatile compounds, building a strong evidence base in collaboration with UK and international partners. While continuing our research, we're now also exploring real-world applications.
Dogs informing technology

Electronic Nose to Detect Cancer at our Centre in UK first
About our Dogs - FAQ

Frequently asked questions about our dogs.
Request a Speaker

Would you like a Medical Detection Dogs Speaker to come to your club, organisation or group to talk about the amazing work we do?
Urinary Tract Infection

A UK project is training dogs to detect UTIs by scent, offering faster, non-invasive diagnosis—especially beneficial for elderly and vulnerable patients. Backed by strong research, dogs show over 90% accuracy in identifying UTI-related bacteria. Following a successful pilot, the program will expand, aiming to support NHS efforts and improve wellbeing through community-based detection and assistance services.

Bowel Cancer Urgent Appeal

Medical Detection Dogs has launched its first ever urgent fundraising appeal to support a pioneering project that could transform how bowel cancer is detected — using specially trained dogs. Read more

Donate Fundraise

Freedom From Hunger and Thirst

Freedom From Pain, Injury and Disease

Freedom From Discomfort

Freedom From Fear and Distress

Freedom To Express Normal Behaviour