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  • Cancer & Bio Detection Dogs
  1. About Our Dogs
  2. Cancer & Bio Detection Dogs

Cancer & Bio Detection Dogs

The dog’s nose is the most sophisticated biosensor on the planet and is capable of detecting odour far beyond human and technological capacity.  Dogs have approximately 300 million scent receptors in their noses, compared to around 5 to 6 million in humans.

Dogs have the ability to detect tiny traces of odour down to parts per trillion; the equivalent of a teaspoon of sugar diluted in two Olympic-sized swimming pools of water. In addition, they can also isolate an odour amongst background odours of other, similar diseases.

Our pioneering work is focused on how our highly trained Cancer and Bio Detection dogs could help expand the world of diagnosis through the recognition of volatile patterns associated with disease.

We have trained dogs to detect 9 different diseases including Cancers, Malaria and Parkinson's disease

18 dogs currently work in our Cancer and Bio Detection team

11 different breeds have worked as Cancer and Bio Detection dogs

Our Projects

What Do Our Dogs Do?

What Do Our Dogs Do?

It's a commonly known fact that dogs have an incredible sense of smell. Interested in how we learn 'what the nose knows?' Read on! Read more

Published: 27th June, 2025

Updated: 5th September, 2025

Author: John Akehurst

Determining Accuracy

Determining Accuracy

From the dog to the data - explore how we measure a dogs ability to detect disease. Read more

Published: 26th June, 2025

Updated: 5th September, 2025

Author: John Akehurst

What Makes a Good Cancer and Bio Detection Dog?

What Makes a Good Cancer and Bio Detection Dog?

Interested in what makes a super sniffer? Find out what we look for in our Cancer and Bio Detection Dogs. Read more

Published: 25th June, 2025

Updated: 5th September, 2025

Author: John Akehurst

Cancer & Bio Detection Dog Roadmap

Cancer & Bio Detection Dog Roadmap

Road map of the journey to becoming a Bio Detection Dog. Read more

Published: 17th June, 2025

Updated: 15th August, 2025

Author: Kaye Johnson

Medical Detection Dogs Guinness World Records

Medical Detection Dogs Guinness World Records

We’ve always known Medical Detection Dogs are special but it’s now official – they are record breakers according to the global authority on all things record-breaking, Guinness World Records. Read more

Published: 17th June, 2025

Updated: 26th January, 2026

Author: Kaye Johnson

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  • Her Majesty The Queen is shown electronic cancer detection nose

    Her Majesty The Queen is shown electronic cancer detection nose

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  • Job Vacancies

    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

    Volunteering with Medical Detection Dogs

  • Rehoming a Medical Detection Dog

    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

    Bowel Cancer

  • Anatomy of the Dog’s Nose

  • Our Projects

    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

    Dogs informing technology

    Electronic Nose to Detect Cancer at our Centre in UK first

  • About our Dogs - FAQ

    About our Dogs - FAQ

    Frequently asked questions about our dogs.

  • Request a Speaker

    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

    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.

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In Memory Sponsor a Puppy
Bowel Cancer Urgent Appeal

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

Published: 2nd June, 2025

Updated: 29th September, 2025

Author: John Akehurst

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Medical Detection Dogs is a registered charity in England and Wales No. 1124533 and in Scotland No. SC044434

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