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Verbeek P, Majure CA, Quattrochi L, Turner SJ. The Welfare of Dogs as an Aspect of the Human-Dog Bond: A Scoping Review. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:1985. [PMID: 38998097 PMCID: PMC11240373 DOI: 10.3390/ani14131985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2024] [Revised: 06/26/2024] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The close bond that can exist between humans and their dogs is an important aspect of the evolutionary, economic, and social connections between the two species. There is a need for a better understanding of the place of the dog within the human-dog bond and on ways the human-dog bond affects dog welfare. We conducted a scoping review to investigate to what extent and in what ways dog welfare is addressed in the research literature on the human-dog bond. We identified 706 publications on the human-dog bond from across the globe that were published from 2012 to 2023. We found that 246 of these 706 publications had a focus on dog welfare. Our review showed that the interplay of characteristics and backgrounds of owners/handlers and their dogs was linked to dog welfare in multiple, both positive and negative, ways. Our review is limited by the fact that most of the research that we reviewed involved pet dogs and in majority came from Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, Democratic (WEIRD) societies. There is a need for a better understanding of how the human-dog bond affects the welfare of working, assistance, and service dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Verbeek
- Department of Anthropology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 402 10th Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35294-1241, USA
| | - Chase Alan Majure
- Department of Anthropology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 402 10th Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35294-1241, USA
| | - Laura Quattrochi
- Department of Anthropology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 402 10th Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35294-1241, USA
| | - Stephen James Turner
- Department of Anthropology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 402 10th Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35294-1241, USA
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Brand CL, O’Neill DG, Belshaw Z, Dale FC, Merritt BL, Clover KN, Tay MXM, Pegram CL, Packer RMA. Impacts of Puppy Early Life Experiences, Puppy-Purchasing Practices, and Owner Characteristics on Owner-Reported Problem Behaviours in a UK Pandemic Puppies Cohort at 21 Months of Age. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:336. [PMID: 38275796 PMCID: PMC10812580 DOI: 10.3390/ani14020336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 01/06/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Problem behaviours are a leading cause of relinquishment and euthanasia of young dogs. Previous research has identified associations between owner-reported problem behaviours and risk factors, including how dogs were acquired as puppies, early socialisation experiences, and owners' experience levels. Puppies acquired during the 2020 phase of the UK COVID-19 pandemic ("Pandemic Puppies") were more likely to be exposed to many of these risk factors compared to puppies acquired in 2019; however, consequences for their adult behaviour are, as yet, unexplored. This study aimed to investigate the impact of these early-life and provenance-based risk factors, in addition to owner management strategies (including training methods) into early adulthood, upon adult dog behaviour aged 21 months. An online longitudinal cohort study of n = 985 Pandemic Puppies was conducted, recruited from a cohort of n = 4369 puppies originally surveyed in November-December 2020, which included data on how and why they were acquired and their socialisation/habituation experiences <16 weeks of age. Nearly all owners (96.7%) reported that their dog had exhibited at least one problem behaviour up to 21 months of age (median: 5; IQR: 3-7). Almost one third of dogs (30.9%) were reported to have displayed separation-related behaviours. Multivariable linear regression modelling revealed that owners reporting more problem behaviours were more likely to use multiple aversive training techniques (e.g., physical punishment), the use of which was notably high in this population (82.3%) compared to previous studies. Attendance at online puppy classes was the sole protective factor against owner use of aversive training methods. Almost one third of owners had underestimated how hard training their dog would be; this view was more likely among first-time owners. Urgent efforts are required to support this vulnerable population of dogs, including providing owner education regarding humane training techniques, to improve canine emotional health and avoid future relinquishment and/or behavioural euthanasia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire L. Brand
- Department of Clinical Science and Services, The Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield, Herts AL9 7TA, UK; (C.L.B.); (B.L.M.)
| | - Dan G. O’Neill
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, The Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield, Herts AL9 7TA, UK; (D.G.O.); (F.C.D.); (C.L.P.)
| | - Zoe Belshaw
- EviVet Evidence-Based Veterinary Consultancy, Nottingham NG2 5HY, UK;
| | - Fiona C. Dale
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, The Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield, Herts AL9 7TA, UK; (D.G.O.); (F.C.D.); (C.L.P.)
| | - Bree L. Merritt
- Department of Clinical Science and Services, The Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield, Herts AL9 7TA, UK; (C.L.B.); (B.L.M.)
| | - Kathryn N. Clover
- Department of Clinical Science and Services, The Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield, Herts AL9 7TA, UK; (C.L.B.); (B.L.M.)
| | - Mi-Xue Michelle Tay
- Department of Clinical Science and Services, The Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield, Herts AL9 7TA, UK; (C.L.B.); (B.L.M.)
| | - Camilla L. Pegram
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, The Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield, Herts AL9 7TA, UK; (D.G.O.); (F.C.D.); (C.L.P.)
| | - Rowena M. A. Packer
- Department of Clinical Science and Services, The Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield, Herts AL9 7TA, UK; (C.L.B.); (B.L.M.)
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Williams E, Hunton V, Boyd J, Carter A. Effect of harness design on the biomechanics of domestic dogs ( Canis lupus familiaris). J APPL ANIM WELF SCI 2023:1-17. [PMID: 37731281 DOI: 10.1080/10888705.2023.2259796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
Harnesses have become increasingly popular and whilst there are benefits to harnesses, the impact of harness design on canine biomechanics, and thus physical health and welfare is largely unknown. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of three popular commercially available harnesses on canine locomotion in 66 domestic dogs. Dogs were filmed moving on a loose lead over a Tekscan Strideway gait analysis system. Stride length as a proportion of limb length (calculated as distance from the elbow to the floor), body weight distribution in the front versus the hind limbs (%), and minimum and maximum apparent angles of the lateral epicondyle of humerus (LEH) and greater tubercle of humerus (GTH) during the motion cycle were measured. Except for GTH angles, there were significant differences in all the investigated metrics. Differences varied across breeds/breed types. It is recommended that, when purchasing and fitting harnesses for dogs, owners and harness fitters treat dogs on an individual basis. The impact of pulling in harness on dog gait requires investigation as dogs may experience greater restrictions when pulling than during locomotion on a loose lead.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen Williams
- Department of Animal Health, Behaviour & Welfare, Harper Adams University, Newport, UK
| | - Violet Hunton
- Department of Animal Health, Behaviour & Welfare, Harper Adams University, Newport, UK
| | - Jacqueline Boyd
- School of Animal, Rural & Environmental Sciences, Brackenhurst Campus, Nottingham Trent University, Southwell, UK
| | - Anne Carter
- SRUC (Scotland's Rural College), Barony Campus, Dumfries, UK
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