Pet Blood Bank UK, a charity that provides canine blood to vets across the country, is appealing for the owners of dogs with DEA 1 Negative blood to donate. 

DEA 1 Negative is the closest to a universal blood type that is possible for dogs, meaning it is often in demand. 

Around 70 per cent of dogs are DEA 1 Positive, while 30 per cent are negative. 

The charity’s research has shown that certain breeds are more likely to have negative blood.  

These include weinmaraner, German wirehaired pointer, Italian spinone, flat coated retrievers, pointers, dobermans, greyhounds, boxers, German shepherds, Airedale terriers, lurchers, American bulldogs and English bull terriers. 

Wendy Barnett, clinical director of Pet Blood Bank UK, said: “A dog really is part of the family. 

“If we were unwell and needed a transfusion you would expect the blood to be available. 

Why should it be any different for a dog? “We want to encourage anyone with a dog that fits the criteria to come forward.  

“A lot of people don’t know we exist until they need us, so we need people to know about us.” 

Donors must have a good temperament, be aged between one and eight years old and be fit and healthy. 

They should also not have travelled abroad and be up to date on vaccinations. 

Victoria Taylor, 28, told how her pet springer spaniel Charlie, two, was saved in July when blood from a greyhound named Ranch was given to him.  

She said: “Charlie is a really fit and healthy dog but he just collapsed suddenly. 

“We rushed him to the vets and his body was destroying his red blood cells so he needed a transfusion. 

“Charlie is type negative so luckily they had some in stock. 

“If he hadn’t got the blood he would not be here.  

“It would have felt like losing a family member, it was a really stressful and traumatic time. 

“He is going to be very spoilt this Christmas because we didn’t think he would still be here.” 

To enrol a dog visit petbloodbankuk.org.