Interspecies hormonal interactions between man and the domestic dog (Canis familiaris)

Horm Behav. 2006 Sep;50(3):393-400. doi: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2006.04.007. Epub 2006 Jun 19.

Abstract

To date, hormonal influence in interspecies interaction has not been examined. In a study of a dog agility competition among human/dog teams, men's pre-competition basal testosterone (T) levels were positively related to changes in dogs' cortisol levels from pre- to post-competition, but only among losing teams. Furthermore, pre-competition basal T in men on losing teams predicted more than half of the variance in dogs' cortisol change. This relationship was mediated through men's punitive and affiliative behaviors towards their dogs immediately after competition. Men's T change was also a significant predictor of dogs' change in cortisol such that men who experienced greater decreases in T after a loss were associated with dogs that experienced greater increases in cortisol. In winning teams, men's pre-competition T and T changes were unrelated to dogs' cortisol changes. These results are discussed in light of T as a proxy for dominance motivation as well as T's relation to stress across the species boundary.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Animals
  • Competitive Behavior / physiology*
  • Dogs
  • Dominance-Subordination
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hydrocortisone / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Reference Values
  • Saliva / metabolism
  • Social Behavior*
  • Species Specificity
  • Stress, Psychological / metabolism*
  • Testosterone / metabolism*

Substances

  • Testosterone
  • Hydrocortisone