Behavioural Differences of Dogs of Various Ages in Czech Households

Abstract

The aim of the study was to evaluate the behaviour of dogs of various ages as viewed by their owners in the Czech Republic. The data were obtained in a questionnaire. The dogs were divided by age as follows: 35 animals younger than one year (Y), 220 middle-aged dogs (M), and 12 dogs, seniors (S) older than 8 years (giant and large breed dogs were included in this group at 8 years, medium at 10 years, and small and toy breeds at 12 years of age). The following significant differences were found: young dogs were destructive (household items and gardens), they eliminated in the house more frequently and mounted people. They were fed more than twice a day, and were never described as nervous. Middle-aged dogs were more often than others described as dominant and were given treats. Old dogs were most frequently described as nervous, sometimes difficult to control, and excessively barking, whining and howling. On the other hand, they were more often described as protective of the house and household members, and they were most often walked unleashed. These differences are in agreement with earlier data on the ontogeny of dog behaviour, and show some changes in the co-existence of people and dogs of various ages in Czech households. Importantly, they serve as a basic information about behaviour problems that may be encountered in veterinary practice and show a need for client education programmes and preventive behavioural medicine in the country. Young, middle-aged, old dogs, development, behavioural traits, questionnaireThe behaviour of an individual changes in the course of its life. In past decades this fact was reflected in a scientific concept of the postnatal development of behaviour in dogs divided into several periods (Scott and Marston 1950;Scott 1962). The first, postnatal period lasting two weeks, is characterized by total dependence on mother for food, temperature regulation, and elimination. The puppies spend about 90% time sleeping, and their social contacts are limited to mother. It is followed by transitional period (days 15-28) with eyes and ears opening, locomotion changing from crawling to walking and gradually less dependence on mother for food and elimination. Social contacts with mother and littermates increase in freguency and complexity. In the following socialization period between weeks 4 and 12 or 14, also weaning occurs. This period is characterized by seeking other social contacts and is behaviorally the most important stage in dog´s life (Houpt 1991;Beaver 1999). Juvenile period (3 rd to 6 th month of age) with rapid growth gradually turns into puberty around 10 months of age, then into adulthood, the relatively longest life period. It is followed by senescence the onset of which is still difficult to assess. In past decades, dozens of different tests have been described for evaluation of biological age, especially in humans. They consist mostly of variables characterizing the development of physiological functions and statistically analyzed. They are directed towards the causal scheme: m...

Body Size and Behaviour Traits of Dogs in Czech Households

“…Despite this fact the majority of the traits under study documenting the mutual interactions of people and dogs did not differ significantly, not even in aggression as reported more often by our respondents than diagnosed by other authors (Beaver 1994;Houpt et al 1996;Takeuchi et al 2001;Anonymous 2002). No significant differences among dogs belonging to the five body size groups were detected and the data presented in this paper correspond with those published earlier (Baranyiová et al 2001(Baranyiová et al , 2004(Baranyiová et al , 2005.…”

“…The questionnaire was published in a monthly magazine "Náš pes" (Our Dog). The same set of primary data was used as in previous papers reporting on other aspects of the human-dog coexistence (Baranyiová et al 2001(Baranyiová et al , 2004(Baranyiová et al , 2005(Baranyiová et al , 2007. About 90% of data came from its readers and the rest was obtained from clients of several veterinary practices.…”

“…Several highly aggressive breeds have been identified Serpell 1996, 1997;Stafford 2007) and they are in decline in some countries. Aggression often results in bites, both to other dogs (Baranyiová et al 2004, Döring et al 2006) and bites to people (Weiss et al 1998). The latter lead not only to physical and psychological trauma to the victim, especially when children are bitten (Náhlík 2005;Náhlík et al 2006ab) but, also pose a serious public health concern (Weiss et al 1998;De Keuster et al 2006;Shuler et al 2008).…”

“…They were more frequently described as protective of household members and possessions. When walked in the streets, they were more often than others not on the leash, the least active, and did not destroy house furniture and equipment (Baranyiová et al 2004).…”

Dog Bites to Children in the Czech Republic: the Risk Situations

“…Up to 47% of dogs aged 1-2 years were reported by their owners to be sometimes aggressive to people, both family members and strangers (Baranyiová et al 2004). Most bite incidents occur in summer months and in the late afternoon hours when serotonin concentrations naturally decrease in the dog (Houpt 2005;Overall 1997;Akhtar et al 2006;Kaye et al 2009).…”