Comparison of owner-reported behavioral characteristics among genetically clustered breeds of dog (Canis familiaris)

Abstract

During the domestication process, dogs were selected for their suitability for multiple purposes, resulting in a variety of behavioral characteristics. In particular, the ancient group of breeds that is genetically closer to wolves may show different behavioral characteristics when compared to other breed groups. Here, we used questionnaire evaluations of dog behavior to investigate whether behavioral characteristics of dogs were different among genetically clustered breed groups. A standardized questionnaire, the Canine Behavioral Assessment and Research Questionnaire (C-BARQ), was used, and breed group differences of privately-owned dogs from Japan (n = 2,951) and the United States (n = 10,389) were analyzed. Results indicated that dogs in the ancient and spitz breed group showed low attachment and attention-seeking behavior. This characteristic distinguished the ancient group from any other breed groups with presumed modern European origins, and may therefore, be an ancestral trait.

Figure 1. Average factor scores for breed groups.

The dog breeds were separated into eight breed groups according to the cladogram, Ancient and spitz breeds: 1, Toy dogs: 2, Spaniels, scent hounds, and poodles: 3, Working dogs: 4, Small terriers: 5, Sight hounds and herding dogs: 6, Retrievers: 7, Mastiff-like dogs: 8. a vs b, p < 0.05; c vs d, p < 0.05; e vs f, p < 0.05; g vs h, p < 0.05.