Did you know that dogs can donate blood?
We don’t often think of pups as needing transfusions the way humans sometimes do, but everything from injuries to blood clotting disorders can cause canines to require donated blood. And Sharwood, an adorable 8-year-old Gordon setter from England, has risen to the occasion more than any other, saving over 168 pups’ lives and nabbing the Guinness World Record earlier this year for the most times a dog has given blood.
On July 13, 2024, he completed his 40th donation through the Pet Blood Bank U.K., becoming the first canine in the country to reach that milestone. Sharwood’s heroism also earned him the honor of being named a finalist for the 2025 Crufts Hero Award. While he ultimately didn’t win, the blood bank’s regional coordinator Adelle Fallows emphasized in Sharwood’s nomination video just how essential his donations have been.
“Our donor dogs are really important,” said Fallows. “They come along, they donate blood for those dogs that are in need. They may have been hit by a car, they may have major blood loss, and also have conditions such as immune-mediated hemolytic anemia, where they need blood very urgently.”
Per Sue Mitchell, Sharwood’s owner, each pint a dog donates can save up to four others pups’ lives. “As a dog owner, I fully appreciate that you love your dogs to bits. I thought it was really important because you never know when your dog may possibly have to have a transfusion, and if you have suitable dogs that can do this, donating, then it’s well worth it,” she said in the video, adding, “I think he’s amazing.”
Donating has been a constant in Sharwood’s life. In 2017, Mitchell took the then-13-month-old pup to give blood for the first time. Luckily, Sharwood didn’t seem to mind the regular trips to the blood bank that followed, which fell about eight to 10 weeks apart.
“He’s so laid back it’s unbelievable,” Mitchell told Guinness World Records, noting that Sharwood received plenty of toys, treats, rest, and love after each donation. “I know he can’t get there on his own and I have to take him, but at the end of the day, he could make it clear if he didn’t want to do it,” she added. “You can see his tail wagging while he’s on the table.”
It’s not just Sharwood who’s made a name for himself at the blood bank. Mitchell currently owns two other Gordon setters — Brinjal and Baxter — who’ve donated 16 and 33 times, respectively. To qualify as a donor at the Pet Blood Bank U.K., pups need to be between 1 and 8 years old, weigh more than 55 pounds, and be “fit, healthy, and confident,” per the organization’s website.
The process itself, Mitchell explained, is relatively painless. “People are always really surprised when you tell them about it,” she told Guinness. “You arrive with a very warm welcome, you go in and see a vet and the dog is health checked — that’s an added bonus. Then bloods are taken to make sure it’s suitable. If your dog is ill, you might not know until they start to show signs, but by giving blood they’re getting regular health checks.”
And for those healthy, confident pups, the payoff of their donations is well worth the effort. Case in point: a dachshund named Sizzle, who has hemophilia and requires regular blood transfusions. “Sizzle’s first-ever transfusion was from Sharwood, and without that, Sizzle wouldn’t be here today,” owner Emma Gray shared in the Crufts video. “I mean, it’s literally life-changing for us.”
Since Sharwood has reached the maximum age for dog donors, he hung up his leash last year, after being presented with a gold medal from the blood bank, the BBC reported. As for his retirement plans? According to Mitchell, Sharwood loves life’s simple pleasures — exercise, food, and human company — which he’ll now get to enjoy to the fullest after leaving a legacy of lifesaving blood behind.
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Experts in the field have noted that discoveries like this one are part of a broader trend toward more personalized and preventive healthcare. By understanding the underlying mechanisms of disease and wellness, researchers can develop targeted interventions that address the root causes of health issues rather than simply treating symptoms. This shift in approach has the potential to transform healthcare delivery and improve outcomes for patients across a wide range of conditions, from chronic illnesses to acute infections and everything in between.
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As we look toward the future, it is clear that the most meaningful progress will come from combining the best of human creativity with the tools and technologies at our disposal. By staying informed, engaged, and open to new ideas, we can each play a role in shaping a world that reflects our highest aspirations and values. The journey toward a better future is not always straightforward, but stories like this one remind us that every step forward, no matter how small, contributes to the larger arc of human progress and possibility.
