Domestic dogs show a high degree of behavioral variability. This study analyzes the influence of the breed and husbandry style on the display of undesirable behaviors in dogs. A 101-item questionnaire including questions about a range of undesirable behaviors, aspects of owner status, ownership characteristics and husbandry was completed by 1150 owners of adult. An OPLSDA model was used to compare the behavioral profiles of 20 breeds. From this first analysis, 4 types showed the highest level of divergence: boxer, Old English sheepdog, Belgian shepherd and mixed-breed dogs. Further OPLSDA analysis of the differences between these four groups of dogs (n=700) indicated significant profile differences. For example, the Belgian shepherd breed was associated with lower levels of general disobedience but higher levels of fear of crowded places and loud noises. The boxer dog breed was associated with less fear of noises and veterinary visits, but with higher levels of leash pulling and jumping up at people. Aspects of owner status, ownership and husbandry were then compared between these four groups, using OPLSDA, producing another significant model. Being a mixed breed dog was associated with being the first dog of a retired person or student, living in a single dog household, having been adopted by another family member or gifted. The old English sheepdog breed was associated with show activities, living in a multiple dog household, and ownership by a person of a degree level education. The boxer breed was associated with a defense role. These findings indicate significant patterns of breed-associated undesirable behaviors, as well as breed-related differences in the owner’s reason for dog ownership, owner characteristics and husbandry. In some cases, the owner’s intended function for the dog was at odds with the behavioral characteristics of the breed as indicated by the analysis of the behavioral data. This type of analysis could have implications for understanding the decision making of potential dog owners.

Survey on undesirable behaviors in pet dogs: The influence of breed and husbandry

GAZZANO, ANGELO;MARITI, CHIARA
2014-01-01

Abstract

Domestic dogs show a high degree of behavioral variability. This study analyzes the influence of the breed and husbandry style on the display of undesirable behaviors in dogs. A 101-item questionnaire including questions about a range of undesirable behaviors, aspects of owner status, ownership characteristics and husbandry was completed by 1150 owners of adult. An OPLSDA model was used to compare the behavioral profiles of 20 breeds. From this first analysis, 4 types showed the highest level of divergence: boxer, Old English sheepdog, Belgian shepherd and mixed-breed dogs. Further OPLSDA analysis of the differences between these four groups of dogs (n=700) indicated significant profile differences. For example, the Belgian shepherd breed was associated with lower levels of general disobedience but higher levels of fear of crowded places and loud noises. The boxer dog breed was associated with less fear of noises and veterinary visits, but with higher levels of leash pulling and jumping up at people. Aspects of owner status, ownership and husbandry were then compared between these four groups, using OPLSDA, producing another significant model. Being a mixed breed dog was associated with being the first dog of a retired person or student, living in a single dog household, having been adopted by another family member or gifted. The old English sheepdog breed was associated with show activities, living in a multiple dog household, and ownership by a person of a degree level education. The boxer breed was associated with a defense role. These findings indicate significant patterns of breed-associated undesirable behaviors, as well as breed-related differences in the owner’s reason for dog ownership, owner characteristics and husbandry. In some cases, the owner’s intended function for the dog was at odds with the behavioral characteristics of the breed as indicated by the analysis of the behavioral data. This type of analysis could have implications for understanding the decision making of potential dog owners.
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11568/687672
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