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A survey of the behavioural characteristics of pure-bred dogs in the United Kingdom

A survey of the behavioural characteristics of pure-bred dogs in the United Kingdom
A survey of the behavioural characteristics of pure-bred dogs in the United Kingdom
One-hundred-and-twelve small animal veterinarians and 56 dog care professionals were asked to rate the behavioural characteristics of 49 breeds of dog, and to compare males and females by means of a 13-point questionnaire. From their replies, factor analysis was used to extract three underlying traits, labelled aggressivity, reactivity and immaturity. On the basis of these traits, eight groups of breeds were derived. Membership of these groups did not correspond exactly with any of the four existing breed classification systems (Megnin, the Federation Cynologique International, ancient breeds and Kennel Club of Great Britain), but significant differences between Kennel Club groups were found on all three traits. Male dogs were rated higher than females on both aggressivity and immaturity; the components of reactivity were also rated higher in males, apart from the demand for affection which was rated higher in females. Females were also considered easier to train than males.
0042-4900
465-468
Bradshaw, J.W.
10fa0d1d-688c-4f3b-a02a-4591d45a533a
Goodwin, D.
44ea5b5f-3933-4171-83b6-8d48928e27ca
Lea, A.M.
f0216828-a37b-4ae0-8e6b-15910be56dc5
Whitehead, S.L.
fe421acc-4aaa-4ec3-8893-47913caef438
Bradshaw, J.W.
10fa0d1d-688c-4f3b-a02a-4591d45a533a
Goodwin, D.
44ea5b5f-3933-4171-83b6-8d48928e27ca
Lea, A.M.
f0216828-a37b-4ae0-8e6b-15910be56dc5
Whitehead, S.L.
fe421acc-4aaa-4ec3-8893-47913caef438

Bradshaw, J.W., Goodwin, D., Lea, A.M. and Whitehead, S.L. (1996) A survey of the behavioural characteristics of pure-bred dogs in the United Kingdom. Veterinary Record, 138 (19), 465-468.

Record type: Article

Abstract

One-hundred-and-twelve small animal veterinarians and 56 dog care professionals were asked to rate the behavioural characteristics of 49 breeds of dog, and to compare males and females by means of a 13-point questionnaire. From their replies, factor analysis was used to extract three underlying traits, labelled aggressivity, reactivity and immaturity. On the basis of these traits, eight groups of breeds were derived. Membership of these groups did not correspond exactly with any of the four existing breed classification systems (Megnin, the Federation Cynologique International, ancient breeds and Kennel Club of Great Britain), but significant differences between Kennel Club groups were found on all three traits. Male dogs were rated higher than females on both aggressivity and immaturity; the components of reactivity were also rated higher in males, apart from the demand for affection which was rated higher in females. Females were also considered easier to train than males.

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Published date: 1996

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 18248
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/18248
ISSN: 0042-4900
PURE UUID: d0c35b43-daa8-4081-91bf-a5e1c4d1ec42

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Date deposited: 27 Feb 2006
Last modified: 08 Jan 2022 00:58

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Contributors

Author: J.W. Bradshaw
Author: D. Goodwin
Author: A.M. Lea
Author: S.L. Whitehead

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