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Riemer S, Müller C, Virányi Z, Huber L, Range F. Individual and group level trajectories of behavioural development in Border collies. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2016; 180:78-86. [PMID: 28184101 PMCID: PMC5295634 DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2016.04.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
In order to assess dogs' personality changes during ontogeny, a cohort of 69 Border collies was followed up from six to 18-24 months. When the dogs were 6, 12, and 18-24 months old, their owners repeatedly filled in a dog personality questionnaire (DPQ), which yielded five personality factors divided into fifteen facets. All five DPQ factors were highly correlated between the three age classes, indicating that the dogs' personality remained consistent relative to other individuals. Nonetheless, at the group level significant changes with age were found for four of the five DPQ factors. Fearfulness, Aggression towards People, Responsiveness to Training and Aggression towards Animals increased with age; only Activity/Excitability did not change significantly over time. These changes in DPQ factor scores occurred mainly between the ages of 6 and 12 months, although some facets changed beyond this age. No sex differences were found for any of the tested factors or facets, suggesting that individual variation in personality was greater than male/female differences. There were significant litter effects for the factors Fearfulness, Aggression towards People and Activity/Excitability, indicating either a strong genetic basis for these traits or a high influence of the shared early environment. To conclude, from the age of six months, consistency in personality relative to other individuals can be observed in Border collies. However, at the group level, increases in fearful and aggressive behaviours occur up to 12 months and for some traits up to two years, highlighting the need for early interventions. Follow-up studies are needed to assess trajectories of personality development prior to six months and after two years, and to include a wider variety of breeds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Riemer
- Clever Dog Lab, Messerli Research Institute, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Medical University of Vienna and University of Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria; Department of Cognitive Biology, University of Vienna, Althanstraße 14, 1090 Vienna, Austria; Division of Animal Welfare, VPH Institute, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Längassstrasse 120, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Corsin Müller
- Clever Dog Lab, Messerli Research Institute, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Medical University of Vienna and University of Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria; Department of Cognitive Biology, University of Vienna, Althanstraße 14, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Zsófia Virányi
- Clever Dog Lab, Messerli Research Institute, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Medical University of Vienna and University of Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria
| | - Ludwig Huber
- Clever Dog Lab, Messerli Research Institute, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Medical University of Vienna and University of Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria
| | - Friederike Range
- Clever Dog Lab, Messerli Research Institute, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Medical University of Vienna and University of Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria
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104
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Fadel FR, Driscoll P, Pilot M, Wright H, Zulch H, Mills D. Differences in Trait Impulsivity Indicate Diversification of Dog Breeds into Working and Show Lines. Sci Rep 2016; 6:22162. [PMID: 26963916 PMCID: PMC4785826 DOI: 10.1038/srep22162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2015] [Accepted: 02/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Impulsiveness describes the inability to inhibit behaviour in the presence of salient cues. Trait-level impulsivity exists on a continuum and individual differences can be adaptive in different contexts. While breed related differences in behavioural tendency in the domestic dog (Canis familiaris) are well established, the phenomenon within lines of a breed which have been selected more recently is not well studied, although it may challenge the popular notion of breed-typical behaviour. We describe differences in impulsivity between and within two dog breeds with working and show lines selected for different levels of impulsivity: Border Collies (herding work) and Labrador Retrievers (gun work). Recent show line selection might have lessened differences in impulsivity between breeds. We tested this hypothesis on a dataset of 1161 individuals assessed using a validated psychometric tool (Dog Impulsivity Assessment Scale - DIAS). Collies were more impulsive on average, consistent with the original purpose of breed selection. Regarding line, working Collies differed from working Labradors, but show lines from the two breeds were not significantly different. Altered or relaxed artificial selection for behavioural traits when appearance rather than behaviour become the primary focus for breeders may reduce average differences in impulsivity between breeds in show lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda Ruiz Fadel
- University of Lincoln, School of Life Sciences, Joseph Banks Laboratories, Lincoln, LN6 7DL, UK
| | - Patricia Driscoll
- University of Lincoln, School of Life Sciences, Joseph Banks Laboratories, Lincoln, LN6 7DL, UK
| | - Malgorzata Pilot
- University of Lincoln, School of Life Sciences, Joseph Banks Laboratories, Lincoln, LN6 7DL, UK
| | - Hannah Wright
- University of Lincoln, School of Life Sciences, Joseph Banks Laboratories, Lincoln, LN6 7DL, UK
| | - Helen Zulch
- University of Lincoln, School of Life Sciences, Joseph Banks Laboratories, Lincoln, LN6 7DL, UK
| | - Daniel Mills
- University of Lincoln, School of Life Sciences, Joseph Banks Laboratories, Lincoln, LN6 7DL, UK
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105
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Duranton C, Bedossa T, Gaunet F. When facing an unfamiliar person, pet dogs present social referencing based on their owners' direction of movement alone. Anim Behav 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2016.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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106
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Le Brech S, Amat M, Camps T, Temple D, Manteca X. Canine aggression toward family members in Spain: Clinical presentations and related factors. J Vet Behav 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jveb.2015.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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107
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Moxon R, Whiteside H, England GCW. Incidence and impact of dog attacks on guide dogs in the UK: an update. Vet Rec 2016; 178:367. [PMID: 26924739 DOI: 10.1136/vr.103433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Data on dog attacks on Guide Dogs' stock were reviewed to investigate the characteristics of the attacks. An average of 11.2 attacks occurred each month. Nearly all of the attacks occurred in public areas, 68.4 per cent of victim dogs were qualified guide dogs and 55.5 per cent of victim dogs were working in harness when they were attacked. Guide Dogs' stock were injured in 43.2 per cent of attacks and veterinary costs for attacks were estimated at £34,514.30. Over 40 per cent of qualified guide dogs' working ability was affected and >20 per cent of qualified guide dogs required some time off from working after a dog attack. Twenty dogs were permanently withdrawn from the Guide Dogs' programme as a result of dog attacks, 13 of which were qualified and working with guide dog owners at the time of the withdrawal; this resulted in a financial cost of >£600,000 to the charity. More importantly perhaps, temporary and permanent withdrawals have a significant impact upon the mobility and independence of guide dog owners and in many cases significantly impacted their emotional well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Moxon
- Guide Dogs Breeding Centre, Banbury Road, Leamington Spa CV33 9QJ, UK
| | - H Whiteside
- Guide Dogs Breeding Centre, Banbury Road, Leamington Spa CV33 9QJ, UK Guide Dogs Breeding Centre, Banbury Road, Leamington Spa CV33 9QJ, UK
| | - G C W England
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Leicestershire LE12 5RD, UK
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108
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Somppi S, Törnqvist H, Kujala MV, Hänninen L, Krause CM, Vainio O. Dogs Evaluate Threatening Facial Expressions by Their Biological Validity--Evidence from Gazing Patterns. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0143047. [PMID: 26761433 PMCID: PMC4711950 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0143047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2014] [Accepted: 10/30/2015] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Appropriate response to companions' emotional signals is important for all social creatures. The emotional expressions of humans and non-human animals have analogies in their form and function, suggesting shared evolutionary roots, but very little is known about how animals other than primates view and process facial expressions. In primates, threat-related facial expressions evoke exceptional viewing patterns compared with neutral or positive stimuli. Here, we explore if domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) have such an attentional bias toward threatening social stimuli and whether observed emotional expressions affect dogs' gaze fixation distribution among the facial features (eyes, midface and mouth). We recorded the voluntary eye gaze of 31 domestic dogs during viewing of facial photographs of humans and dogs with three emotional expressions (threatening, pleasant and neutral). We found that dogs' gaze fixations spread systematically among facial features. The distribution of fixations was altered by the seen expression, but eyes were the most probable targets of the first fixations and gathered longer looking durations than mouth regardless of the viewed expression. The examination of the inner facial features as a whole revealed more pronounced scanning differences among expressions. This suggests that dogs do not base their perception of facial expressions on the viewing of single structures, but the interpretation of the composition formed by eyes, midface and mouth. Dogs evaluated social threat rapidly and this evaluation led to attentional bias, which was dependent on the depicted species: threatening conspecifics' faces evoked heightened attention but threatening human faces instead an avoidance response. We propose that threatening signals carrying differential biological validity are processed via distinctive neurocognitive pathways. Both of these mechanisms may have an adaptive significance for domestic dogs. The findings provide a novel perspective on understanding the processing of emotional expressions and sensitivity to social threat in non-primates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanni Somppi
- Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- * E-mail:
| | - Heini Törnqvist
- Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Cognitive Science, Faculty of Behavioural Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Miiamaaria V. Kujala
- Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering, Aalto University, Espoo, Finland
| | - Laura Hänninen
- Department of Production Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Christina M. Krause
- Cognitive Science, Faculty of Behavioural Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Outi Vainio
- Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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109
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Owner-reported aggressive behavior towards familiar people may be a more prominent occurrence in pet shop-traded dogs. J Vet Behav 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jveb.2015.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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110
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Olson K, Levy J, Norby B, Crandall M, Broadhurst J, Jacks S, Barton R, Zimmerman M. Inconsistent identification of pit bull-type dogs by shelter staff. Vet J 2015; 206:197-202. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2015.07.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2014] [Revised: 07/17/2015] [Accepted: 07/20/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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111
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"Chickens Are a Lot Smarter than I Originally Thought": Changes in Student Attitudes to Chickens Following a Chicken Training Class. Animals (Basel) 2015; 5:821-37. [PMID: 26479388 PMCID: PMC4598708 DOI: 10.3390/ani5030386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2015] [Revised: 07/06/2015] [Accepted: 08/17/2015] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Our attitudes to animals are linked to our beliefs about their cognitive abilities, such as intelligence and capacity to experience emotional states. In this study, undergraduate students were surveyed on their attitudes to chickens pre- and post- a practical class in which they learnt to clicker train chickens. Students were more likely to agree that chickens are intelligent and easy to teach tricks to, and that chickens feel emotions such as boredom, frustration and happiness, following the practical class. Similar workshops may be an effective method to improve animal training skills, and promote more positive attitudes to specific animal species. Abstract A practical class using clicker training of chickens to apply knowledge of how animals learn and practice skills in animal training was added to an undergraduate course. Since attitudes to animals are related to their perceived intelligence, surveys of student attitudes were completed pre- and post- the practical class, to determine if (1) the practical class changed students’ attitudes to chickens and their ability to experience affective states, and (2) any changes were related to previous contact with chickens, training experience or gender. In the post- versus pre-surveys, students agreed more that chickens are easy to teach tricks to, are intelligent, and have individual personalities and disagreed more that they are difficult to train and are slow learners. Following the class, they were more likely to believe chickens experience boredom, frustration and happiness. Females rated the intelligence and ability to experience affective states in chickens more highly than males, although there were shifts in attitude in both genders. This study demonstrated shifts in attitudes following a practical class teaching clicker training in chickens. Similar practical classes may provide an effective method of teaching animal training skills and promoting more positive attitudes to animals.
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112
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Mongillo P, Adamelli S, Pitteri E, Marinelli L. Attention of dogs and owners in urban contexts: Public perception and problematic behaviors. J Vet Behav 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jveb.2015.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Mannion CJ, Graham A, Shepherd K, Greenberg D. Dog bites and maxillofacial surgery: what can we do? Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg 2015; 53:522-5. [PMID: 25912397 DOI: 10.1016/j.bjoms.2015.02.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2014] [Accepted: 02/25/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The number of injuries caused by dog bites is increasing in the United Kingdom. We review patients admitted with dog bites to a single maxillofacial department in a district general hospital over a 21-month period. Data include patients' characteristics, and the site and severity of injury. The relationship of the victim to the animal and its breed and classification were added where possible. In total, 65 patients, mean age 22 years (range 1-71, median 14) were included. There were 84 wounds, and their site and severity were recorded according to the Lackmann classification. Twelve different breeds of dog were responsible for the bites. An appreciable proportion of those injured were young children. Educational strategies should aim to reduce the incidence of all dog bites, particularly in young children, as their needs after initial treatment are complex. We propose specific strategies to reduce the number of these injuries.
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Affiliation(s)
- C J Mannion
- Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Great George Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 3EX, United Kingdom.
| | - A Graham
- Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Great George Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 3EX, United Kingdom.
| | - K Shepherd
- Veterinary Surgeon and Clinical Animal Behaviourist, 16 Church Street, Finedon, Wellingborough, Northants, NN9 5NA, United Kingdom.
| | - D Greenberg
- Alder Hey Veterinary Hospital, 410 Eaton Road, West Derby, Liverpool, L12 3HG, United Kingdom.
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114
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Arhant C, Troxler J. Approach behaviour of shelter dogs and its relationships with the attitudes of shelter staff to dogs. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2014.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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