How to Prevent Canine Behaviour Problems

One of the primary reasons behind euthanasia of dogs is behavior problems. Every month hundreds if not thousands of dogs are euthanized or re -homed or abandoned due to canine behavioural problems. 

This leads to need for providing behavioural services by veterinarians. Providing behavioural services will benefit both pet and his owners, as it will improve the quality of life for dog and owner. Most behavioural problems lead to disrupt the bond and lead to reduction in pet ownership. Situation even gets worse when behavioural problems push the relationship at breaking point. In such a situation due to lack of appropriate advice the animal is re –homed or euthanized. 

In such condition role of veterinarians become so important in preventing canine behavior problems. Veterinarians should work closely with prospective owners in selecting the right breed. Inappropriate breed selection may lead to these behavioural problems which will result in early surrender of pets to rescue societies or at worse euthanasia of pet.

Advising clients on breed selection is a difficult job. Different breeds have different, more-or-less predictable behaviour characteristics. It is important to help prospective owners choose the breed or type of dog that will best suit their personal and family circumstances.  

A survey had been conducted by the Anthrozoology Institute at Southampton University. This survey is based on 49 most common breed of dogs according to certain traits and they divided the 49 breeds into eight groups depending on their scores on the three factors:

Aggressivity – a tendency to aggression and/or dominance.

Reactivity – which included demand for affection.

Immaturity – a tendency to remain puppy – like even when the dog is adult.

Canine Behavioural Problems

Canine Behaviour and Characteristics According to Dog Breed -

Group: 1

Characteristics: Aggressivity – high; Reactivity – average; Immaturity – low

Typical Breeds: Rottweiler, German Shepherd, Doberman

Other Breeds: Bull Terrier

Group: 2

Characteristics: Aggressivity – high; Reactivity – average; Immaturity – high

Typical Breeds: Jack Russell, Corgi, Cocker Spaniel

Other Breeds: West Highland White Terrier, Cairn Terrier, Fox Terrier, Border Collie

Group: 3

Characteristics: Aggressivity – average; Reactivity – low; Immaturity – low

Typical Breeds: British Bulldog, Chow

Other Breeds: Great Dane, Airedale

Group: 4

Characteristics: Aggressivity – average; Reactivity – high; Immaturity – low

Typical Breeds: Toy and Miniature Poodles, Yorkshire Terrier, Chihuahua

Other Breeds: Papillon, Miniature and Standard Dachshunds, Pekingese, Lhasa, Apso, Pomeranian, Shih Tzu

Group: 5

Characteristics: Aggressivity – low; Reactivity – average; Immaturity – high

Typical Breeds: English and Irish Setters, English Springer Spaniel

Other Breeds: Golden Retriever, Dalmatian, Labrador, Boxer

Group: 6

Characteristics: Aggressivity – low; Reactivity – low; Immaturity – low

Typical Breeds: Greyhound, Basset Hound

Other Breeds: Whippet, English Pointer

Group: 7

Characteristics: Aggressivity – low; Reactivity – high; Immaturity – low

Typical Breeds: King Charles Spaniel, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Other Breeds: Shetland Sheepdog

Group: 8

Characteristics: Aggressivity – average; Reactivity – average; Immaturity – average

Typical Breeds: Samoyed, Standard Poodle, Rough Collie, Old English Sheepdog, Miniature Schnauzer, Beagle, Border Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier and Scottish Terrier

Other Breeds: None

Note: - Breeds according to behavioural characteristics. 

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