Canine Welfare Science

The Canine Welfare Science website provides carefully curated educational resources to make the science of dog welfare accessible to all and to promote the best animal care and management practices.

 

Resources are specially tailored to the needs of dogs living in breeding kennels, shelters and rescues, as pets in homes, or in research facilities.

Together, with knowledge and effort, we can improve the welfare of dogs in our care. We hope you will join us in our mission.

 

Canine Welfare Science Curriculum

The resources on this site provide evidence-based information to support dog breeders and caretakers in their efforts to meet the needs of the dogs in their care. The information is organized into three areas: behavior, health, and environment. Convenient and easy to use, the curriculum makes the science of dog welfare readily available to everyone.

Behavior Environment Health

Graphic Navigation

Learners can also use the Canine Welfare Science Curriculum graphic to quickly navigate between the three areas of the curriculum. Click  Behavior, Environment, or Health to go directly to the category’s resources in the Library.

Do You Have a Resource to Share?

We are always growing and welcome your submissions. Please contact us!

behavior

Behavior

Ensuring the welfare of dogs requires supporting normal behavioral development and positive mental and physical stimulation through socialization, enrichment, exercise, and social interactions.

environment image

Environment

Well-managed environments promote dog welfare by providing adequately sized spaces that are clean, comfortable, and designed to promote behavioral, mental, and physical health.

Health Image

Health

Addressing the health of dogs by providing optimal nutrition, disease and parasite prevention, reproductive care, and treatment for injury and illness promotes their welfare and ensures that dogs function well and thrive.

What is Animal Welfare?

Animal welfare is how an animal is coping with the conditions in which it lives. ​

How do we know how well an animal is doing?
“An animal is in a good state of welfare if (as indicated by scientific evidence) it is healthy, comfortable, well-nourished, safe, able to express innate behavior, and if it is not suffering from unpleasant states such as pain, fear, and distress.” -OIE  This can be assessed through internal and external physiological measures as well as behavioral measures.

 

 

“The welfare of an individual is its state as regards to its attempts to cope with its environment.” 
– D. Broom

About Us

The Canine Welfare Science Resource Site is a product of the Croney Research Group at Purdue University.  The research group promotes the welfare of dogs through innovation in research, education, and outreach.  

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