The Pain Paradox: Breed-Specific Beliefs vs. Scientific Evidence in Dogs

1-hour webinar from the Chronic Pain Symposium 2025, presented by Dr. Rachel Caddiell and Dr. Margaret Gruen.
Write your awesome label here.

1.0 hour cpd

12 months' access
to the recording

what's included...

  • 1-hour Presentation
  • Downloadable Lecture Notes
  • Multiple-choice Quiz
  • CPD Certificate

presentation overview

“Huskies are just so dramatic!”
“Corgis do cry all the time!”
“Pitbulls are just so stoic. They’re so tough.”
Do any of these phrases sound familiar to you? If you’re a veterinary professional, you may have even uttered some of these phrases before yourself. A study published in PLoS One in 2020 revealed that both veterinarians and members of the general public overwhelmingly believe that breeds of dogs differ in pain sensitivity. Join us for this 40-minute lecture in which we will discuss several follow up studies designed and conducted to investigate whether real differences in pain sensitivity exist among different dog breeds, whether veterinary professionals’ beliefs influence assessment and treatment of pain and learn when and how these beliefs developed in veterinary professionals.

meet the presenters

Dr. rachel caddiell

Dr. Rachel Caddiell, PhD, MSc, is a researcher and instructor at North Carolina State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Her research interests focus on canine welfare and behavior topics, including investigating dog and human factors that contribute to the dog’s pain experience.

With her research, Dr. Caddiell aims to make a positive impact on the practice of veterinary medicine and pain management for our four-legged friends!
Write your awesome label here.

PhD, MSc

Write your awesome label here.

DVM, MVPH, PhD, DACVB

dr. margaret gruen

Following her DVM, Dr. Gruen completed an internship and residency in Veterinary Behavioral Medicine at North Carolina State University, with board-certification from the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists.

She completed a PhD in Comparative Biomedical Sciences at NC State focused on assessment of pain in cats with degenerative joint disease. This was followed by a post-doc at Duke University and the Duke Canine Cognition Center.

She is currently an Associate Professor of Behavioral Medicine, University Faculty Scholar, and Co-Director of the Feline Health Center at NC State. Her work focuses on human-animal interaction, including understanding effects of chronic pain on behavior and cognition.
Guaranteed Security using one of the most advanced encrypted systems on the market.
The information in this page is being processed and encrypted securely using industry-leading encryption and fraud prevention tools.

learn more with cam education