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. 2021 May 17;11(5):1435.
doi: 10.3390/ani11051435.

The Influence of Breed, Sex, Origin and Housing Conditions on Undesirable Behaviors in Ancient Dog Breeds

Anna Wójcik  1 , Kinga Powierża  1
Affiliations

The Influence of Breed, Sex, Origin and Housing Conditions on Undesirable Behaviors in Ancient Dog Breeds

Anna Wójcik et al. Animals (Basel). .

Abstract

Abnormal repetitive behaviors often pose problems for dog owners. Such behaviors are considered undesirable if they pose a nuisance or a danger to humans. Ancient dog breeds are intelligent, sociable, active, boisterous and need regular outdoor exercise, but are also independent and reluctant to follow commands. This study aimed to identify factors (breed, sex, origin, housing conditions) and situations that contribute to undesirable behaviors, such as aggression towards humans and other dogs/animals, separation anxiety, excessive vocalization, and oral and locomotion behaviors in Akita, Alaskan Malamute, Basenji, Samoyed and Siberian husky. Undesirable behaviors in dogs were analyzed based on the results of 897 questionnaires. Breed influenced aggressive behavior towards other dogs/animals, aggression towards humans, undesirable oral and locomotion behaviors, and excessive vocalization. Aggressive behaviors were more prevalent in females than in males. Housing conditions were linked with aggression towards other dogs/animals, aggression at mealtime, and excessive vocalization. Undesirable behaviors were most frequently reported in Akitas, Siberian huskies and Samoyeds, and they were more prevalent in males than in females and dogs living indoors with or without access to a backyard. Aggressive behaviors towards other dogs and animals, excessive vocalization and undesirable motor activities posed the greatest problems in ancient dog breeds.

Keywords: ancient dogs; breed; housing conditions; origin; sex; undesirable behaviors.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript, or in the decision to publish the results.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Incidence of undesirable behaviors in the examined dog breeds (%).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Incidence of undesirable behaviors in each category of behavioral problems (%).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Incidence of undesirable behaviors in dogs living in different housing conditions (%).
Figure 4
Figure 4
Situations that elicit an aggressive response towards other dogs/animals (%).
Figure 5
Figure 5
Situations that elicit an aggressive response towards humans (%).
Figure 6
Figure 6
Undesirable behaviors when dogs are left alone at home (indicative of separation anxiety) (%).
Figure 7
Figure 7
Oral and locomotion behaviors (%).
Figure 8
Figure 8
Aggression at meal time (%).
Figure 9
Figure 9
Situations that elicit excessive vocalization (%).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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