Greyhounds' blood type matches all breeds of dog

The blood-giving session was arranged for 20 dogs at kennels belonging to the Retired Greyhound Trust in Meopham, Kent.

Dogs across the South East could benefit from the project, established by the veterinary group Medivet, which hopes to establish a reserve of canine blood.

Greyhounds are ideal donors because they have a blood type that can be matched to all breeds.

Asher Teper, senior partner at Medivet, said: "On the basis of the success of this initial trial, we hope to roll out similar donations more widely at other branches of the Retired Greyhound Trust.

"Greyhounds, unlike other breeds, do not get blood-transmitted diseases, which is yet another reason why they make great donors."

Ivor Stocker, chairman of the Retired Greyhound Trust, said the dogs' calm natures also made them good donors.

He said: "We were really proud of the way the greyhounds behaved, they were all very brave - though I have to admit that the girls were more so than the boys."