Breed Differences in Dog Behavior : Why Tails Wag Differently

Humans have bred dogs for physical and behavioral characteristics for millennia. These efforts can have unintended side effects, however, which may be either advantageous or cause issues - such as a predisposition to certain medical complaints, or, controversially, behavioral issues. The scientific study of domestic dogs is still in its infancy, but public demand for this information is at a record high as more and more pet owners seek to understand their canine family members. Focusing on the behavioral differences and tendencies that have arisen in different breed lines, this book explores, summarizes, and explains the scientific evidence on what breed can tell us about behavior - and, crucially, what it cannot. This book covers: the impact of inbreeding, how it contributes to problematic behavioral issues such as anxiety and aggression, and how it potentially affects the future health of the breed; the limits of predicting a dog's behavior based upon breed, individual differences within breeds, and thus the corresponding limitations of breed-specific legislation; guidance for professionals to help their clients better understand behavioral issues, traits, and appropriate expectations around the right breed for their household. Providing a comprehensive and approachable view of the science behind breed-specific behaviors, this book gives dog enthusiasts from all professional and personal backgrounds a better understanding of why dogs do what they do, and how we can improve our relationships with our canine companions. Covering genetics, phylogeny of canids, temperament, aggression, social behavior, and the history of dog breeding, it is an important read for researchers, students, veterinary practitioners and animal behaviorists, as well as shelter staff, dog trainers, or anyone looking for a greater understanding of dog breed differences. Cover Dedication Breed Differences in Dog Behavior: Why Tails Wag Differently Copyright Contents Prologue The Dogs of A Dog Is a Dog Is a Dog? The Mysterious Case of the Peeing Pomeranian The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Daytime Canine 911 A Series of Unfortunate Events Healing from Anxiety We Can Work It Out Conclusion References Acknowledgments Introduction Across the Universe Animal, Vegetable, or Mineral The Origin of “Species” Who Let the Dogs Out? The Creation of Breeds Tell Me What You See The Walk References 1 What Is a Dog? Abstract The Peacock, the Pachyderm, and the Pomeranian Building a Species How to Get You Into My Life Dawn of the Dog A Game of Bones The Bounty of Bonn-Oberkassel A Song of Ice and Mire Dig It Never Cry Wolf Conclusion References 2 How to Build a Breed Abstract Hello, Goodbye: Building a Breed Small But Mighty Four Tenths of One Percent The Origin of Breeds Fit For a Queen The Brothers Belyaev Cold War Canines Conclusion References 3 A Crash Course in Genetics Abstract Better Late Than Never A Brief History of Genetics Whippet ... Into Shape Hey Bulldog The Effects of Domestication True Blue Epic Epistasis Epi-Static Cling Genes That Hold “Hands” More Than the Sum of Its Parts Why Inbreeding Is Out Gene On, Gene Off Man’s Best GMO Search and Replace Conclusion References 4 Individuals Vary Abstract Romeo The One Who Stood Alone Alone But Not Unique A Crisis of Variability? The Milkman’s Baby Sister, Sister The Long and Winding Road Carnival of Light Because the Wind is High Early Life Experiences Conclusion References 5 Deep Roots, Broad Branches: The Range of Dog Breeds Abstract The Lovely Bones The More Alike, the More Different Child of Nature The Singing Skull From Russia, With Love Breed Groups The Herding Group The Working Group The Sporting Group The Hound Group The Terrier Group The Non-sporting Group The Toy Group Breeding for Behavior—Within and Across AKC Breed Groups Breeding for working: guarding Breeding for working: sled dogs Breeding for sporting: hunting dogs Breeding for vermin catching Breeding for love Breeding for olfaction across breed groups: which nose knows Breeding for “canine cops” across breed groups Breeding dogs for sport fighting Neuroanatomy In Pure Blood: What Happens When Artificial Selection is Overdone And Then There Were Eight The Portuguese Candidate It’s All Relative Breed-specific Behavioral Disease Examples Conclusion References 6 Behavior Came Along for the Ride: Sometimes, We Breed for X, But End Up Getting Y, and Z, and ... Abstract Hands, Hagrid, and Heredity Born This Way Soft Mouths and Sharp Eyes Springer Rage The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Genetiverse What Linkages Do We See in Domestic Dogs? Cross-breeds: Goldendoodle and Labradoodle Comparing each designer to original breed parents Conclusion References 7 Breed Differences in Temperament and Reactivity Abstract As Sick as a Dog Measuring Personality in Dogs Stuck on You The DNA Behind Personality Ask the Professionals Building Better Service Dogs Breed Differences, Temperament, and Clinical Cases Rates of Reactivity Personality Matters For Whom the Bells (Don’t) Toll The Classic Study Apples and Oranges Try to See It My Way Dark Horse Conclusion References 8 Social Behavior and Breed Differences Abstract Power Lunch Tierverhalten Breed versus Breed What You’re Doing Social Structure in Dogs: The Ancient Breed Effect The Unfortunately Emotionally Laden Term: Dominance The Big, Not So Bad Wolf It’s Not All Fun and Games Communication Between Humans and Dogs Breed differences in dog–human communication Oxytocin Genetic mechanism and evolutionary origins Why the long face? Clever Hans Conclusion References 9 Aggression and Breed Differences Abstract “Bad” to the Bone? Let’s Talk About Aggression Definitions and Types of Aggression Definitions based on the stimulus The problems with assessing aggression by breed Honeymoon Hounds Unreported Bites The Damage of Breed Stereotypes Behavior-Based Legislation Bad Science Born to Be Mild The Champions Evidence for Breed Differences in Aggression—Based on Questionnaires Belyaev and Sorokina’s Bad Boys Genetic Evidence for Breed Differences in Aggression Breed Insights on Clinical Cases of Aggression Leroy Conclusion References 10 Learning, Problem Solving, Training, and Breed Differences Abstract The Plight of Potato Chip Problem Solving Agent J Help! Training Mixed messages The classic Scott and Fuller study Scott and Fuller’s forced training approach and findings Scott and Fuller’s reward-based training approach and findings Scott and Fuller’s development and differentiation of problem-solving behavior: findings on breed differences Think for yourself What the trainers think Horse Training Learn Their Currency It’s Not Just the Domesticated Species Feeling Anxious Conclusion References 11 What We Know, What We Don’t, and Where We’re Going Abstract Flux, Flow, and the Future What We Know Ancient breeds are genetically and behaviorally distinct from modern breeds Genes affect behavior, and these can vary between breeds The environment and genes interact in complex ways to produce unique individuals Breeds vary in temperament Artificial selection has produced significant genetic differences between breeds Breeding for a positive trait sometimes leads to another unrelated neutral or negative trait We’ve adapted the social behavior of some breeds to better suit our needs The relationship between breed and aggression is complicated because “aggression” is a complex topic—there are many types of aggression and aggressive behaviors are often context-specific Breed differences in training, if any, are subtle, and may relate more to motivation Going Rogue Threads and Inklings: Where Is the Direction of Dog Research Going? Lines within breeds (future work) Timing of teens Littermate syndrome Behavioral genetics Natural selection of domesticated species Where do we go from here? Conclusion References Index Back Cover Humans have bred dogs for physical and behavioral characteristics for millennia. These efforts can have unintended side effects, however, which may be either advantageous or cause issues - such as a predisposition to certain medical complaints, or, controversially, behavioural issues. The scientific study of domestic dogs is still in its infancy, but public demand for this information is at a record high as more and more pet owners seek to understand their canine family members. Focusing on the behavioral differences and tendencies that have arisen in different breed lines, this book explores, summarizes, and explains the scientific evidence on what breed can tell us about behaviour - and, crucially, what it cannot. This book covers: - the impact of inbreeding, how it contributes to problematic behavioral issues such as anxiety and aggression, and how it potentially affects the future health of the breed; - the limits of predicting a dog's behavior based upon breed, individual differences within breeds, and thus the corresponding limitations of breed-specific legislation; - guidance for professionals to help their clients better understand behavioral issues, traits, and appropriate expectations around the right breed for their household. Providing a comprehensive and approachable view of the science behind breed-specific behaviors, this book gives dog enthusiasts from all professional and personal backgrounds a better understanding of why dogs do what they do, and how we can improve our relationships with our canine companions. Covering genetics, phylogeny of canids, temperament, aggression, social behavior, and the history of dog breeding, it is an important read for researchers, students, veterinary practitioners and animal behaviourists, as well as shelter staff, dog trainers, or anyone looking for a greater understanding of dog breed differences.