'My setter has saved the lives of 200 other dogs - he's special'

A woman whose beloved pet has smashed his own world record for the most blood donations by a dog has described his accolades as "a whirlwind event", revealing that donating makes him "feel extra special" and "you feel as if you're really contributing... to save another dog's life". Sue Mitchell from Bedfordshire is the delighted owner of Gordon setter Sharwood, nine, who has officially been recognised with a Guinness World Record for the most blood donations by a dog. Sharwood contributed to the Pet Blood Bank approximately six times per year, and rescued the lives of nearly 200 dogs before stepping down from donating.

Sharwood, who was among five finalists shortlisted for a Hero Dog Awards by the Kennel Club, smashed the record after reaching 40 blood donations in July 2024, and by November 2024 he'd surpassed his own record by donating 45 times since his initial session at 13 months old in 2017. Whilst dogs previously retired from donating at eight years old, this was increased to nine years in 2024, so Sharwood carried on until his ninth birthday in July, providing him the chance to elevate the benchmark for the world record even higher.

Sue began taking her pooches to contribute to the Pet Blood Bank in 2015. Currently, all three of her dogs - Baxter, 11, Brinjal, four, and Sharwood, who are all named after pickles and chutneys - have donated, with Baxter providing blood 33 times before he retired, and Brinjal has donated 19 times to date.

Sharwood, Sue revealed, possessed a perfect temperament for donating blood. "He loves people, any situation he copes with. So I took him along," she told PA Real Life. "He used to fall asleep and snore, couldn't get him off the table."

The procedure for canine blood donations operates similarly to human donations. Initially, the dogs are weighed as they must exceed 25kg, followed by a comprehensive pre-donation health examination covering their heart, ears and mouth, plus a blood sample.

They are then escorted to the donation chamber where veterinary nurses assist a phlebotomist in extracting approximately a pint (568ml) of blood. Should the dog become distressed or restless, or if the nurses detect issues with their heart rate or blood pressure during the procedure, they can halt the process immediately and any blood already collected can still be forwarded to the blood bank.

"The nurses, the vets, are absolutely so welcoming," Sue said. "They really make you and your dog feel special for the time that you're there... Your dog feels special, you feel as if you're really contributing, and it makes you really proud of what your dog has achieved, to donate to save another dog's life."

The pooches receive abundant attention and encouragement, with copious treats and fresh water. Following the session, they depart with a goodie bag brimming with treats as appreciation.

"Mine bounce out as if nothing's happened," Sue said. "Both Sharwood and his son Brinjal, I've taken them to a championship dog show the next day, and they've done very well. It has no effect on them."

Pet Blood Bank conducts sessions across the UK, storing donated blood ready to be dispatched wherever it's required. Each pint can potentially save up to four dogs, meaning Sharwood's donations have rescued nearly 200 dogs. Upon Sharwood receiving the Guinness World Record, Sue expressed that she was "extremely proud of him".

"And surprised, because I never thought something like that would be dropping through my door. Absolutely incredible," she said.

"And then to get the second one... I mean, he's now got a nickname here: Double Guinn. The dogs enjoyed a steak meal to celebrate," she added.

All of Sue's dogs are also registered therapy dogs. Baxter specialises in end-of-life visits, bringing his serene and affectionate nature to those who need it most. Sue confessed her love for Gordon setters, saying they've "got lovely, lovely characters".

"They're a breed that love their exercise," she said, adding that her dogs relish running around the fields in the morning.

"They'll sleep till about half past two, and then they'll come along and look at their watches and say, 'It's about time we go out for our second walk!', which they'll do come rain or shine."

With his 45th donation, Sharwood had given "25.3 kilos of blood - that's a lot of blood", Sue said. "It's always nice to put something back into society, really.

"People who love their dogs, when they're ill, they want to know that this blood is available should they need it. You never know when your dog may need a blood transfusion, I know I have been there. It is just so important to know that blood is available when required for a much-loved family member if they need it."

For more information about pet blood donations, visit www.petbloodbankuk.org