The use of a behaviour test for the selection of dogs for service and breeding, I: Method of testing and evaluating test results in the adult dog, demands on different kinds of service dogs, sex and breed differences

Wilsson, Erik; Sundgren, Per-Erik

doi:10.1016/s0168-1591(96)01174-4

Cited by 164 publications

(127 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…When evaluating the difference between German Shepherds and Labrador Retrievers at the Swedish Dog Training Centre, a significant difference was reported between the breeds (Wilsson and Sundgren, 1997). German Shepherds scored significantly higher for 'defence drive' and 'sharpness' (Wilsson and Sundgren, 1997).…”

Section: Breed Performance and Comparisonsmentioning

confidence: 96%

“…German Shepherds scored significantly higher for 'defence drive' and 'sharpness' (Wilsson and Sundgren, 1997). Labrador Retrievers scored higher for 'nerve stability', 'hardness', 'courage' and reacted less to gun fire (Wilsson and Sundgren, 1997).…”

Section: Breed Performance and Comparisonsmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…Screening tests should be completed prior to selecting dogs for work, however, these tests should not be the sole indicator of a dog's potential. Any behavioural or trait evaluation must be objective, reliable, meaningful and repeatable (Wilsson and Sundgren, 1997). It would be of great benefit to the canine research and behaviour community for testing techniques to be standardised, allowing for results to be pooled and studies compared van Rooy et al, 2014).…”

Section: Selecting Detection Dogsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Labrador Retrievers scored higher for 'nerve stability', 'hardness', 'courage' and reacted less to gun fire (Wilsson and Sundgren, 1997). Labrador Retrievers were also more cooperative and affable than German Shepherds (Wilsson and Sundgren, 1997). During a similar study Rooney and Bradshaw (2004) created a list of traits and asked dogs-handlers to evaluate their dogs against these traits.…”

Section: Breed Performance and Comparisonsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Retrievers were successfully trained as detection dogs (Wilsson and Sundgren, 1997). Of the original 1,310 German Shepherds, 788 (60.1%) were rejected as working dogs (e.g.…”

Section: Breed Performance and Comparisonsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 4 more Smart Citations

Identifying suitable detection dogs

Jamieson

Baxter

Murray

2017

Applied Animal Behaviour Science

102

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Section: Breed Performance and Comparisonsmentioning

confidence: 96%

Section: Breed Performance and Comparisonsmentioning

confidence: 98%

Section: Selecting Detection Dogsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Breed Performance and Comparisonsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Retrievers were successfully trained as detection dogs (Wilsson and Sundgren, 1997). Of the original 1,310 German Shepherds, 788 (60.1%) were rejected as working dogs (e.g.…”

Section: Breed Performance and Comparisonsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Identifying suitable detection dogs

Jamieson

Baxter

Murray

2017

Applied Animal Behaviour Science

102

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A quick assessment tool for human‐directed aggression in pet dogs

Klausz

Kis

Persa

et al. 2013

Aggressive Behavior

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Many test series have been developed to assess dog temperament and aggressive behavior, but most of them have been criticized for their relatively low predictive validity or being too long, stressful, and/or problematic to carry out. We aimed to develop a short and effective series of tests that corresponds with (a) the dog's bite history, and (b) owner evaluation of the dog's aggressive tendencies. Seventy-three pet dogs were divided into three groups by their biting history; non-biter, bit once, and multiple biter. All dogs were exposed to a short test series modeling five real-life situations: friendly greeting, take away bone, threatening approach, tug-of-war, and roll over. We found strong correlations between the in-test behavior and owner reports of dogs' aggressive tendencies towards strangers; however, the test results did not mirror the reported owner-directed aggressive tendencies. Three test situations (friendly greeting, take-away bone, threatening approach) proved to be effective in evoking specific behavioral differences according to dog biting history. Non-biters differed from biters, and there were also specific differences related to aggression and fear between the two biter groups. When a subsample of dogs was retested, the test revealed consistent results over time. We suggest that our test is adequate for a quick, general assessment of human-directed aggression in dogs, particularly to evaluate their tendency for aggressive behaviors towards strangers. Identifying important behavioral indicators of aggressive tendencies, this test can serve as a useful tool to study the genetic or neural correlates of human-directed aggression in dogs.

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Effectiveness of search dogs compared with human observers in locating bat carcasses at wind‐turbine sites: A blinded randomized trial

Mathews

Swindells

Goodhead

et al. 2013

Wildlife Society Bulletin

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With the expansion of wind‐energy generation, there is a growing need to develop accurate and efficient methods to detect bat casualties resulting from turbine collision and barotrauma. We conducted a formal blinded trial comparing the abilities of search dogs and human observers to locate bat carcasses. Dogs located 73% (46/63) of bats, whereas humans found 20% (12/60). We therefore recommend search dogs as an effective means of monitoring bat fatalities, particularly when a high degree of search accuracy is important. This includes surveys for rare species, or cases where searches are limited in extent or duration, because the application of correction factors is problematic where very few or no casualties are found. The dogs averaged 40 min to complete a survey, which was <25% of the time taken by humans. At large sites, the high initial set‐up costs for search dogs can therefore be offset by the increased number of surveys that can be conducted within a given time. However, care must be taken with the selection and training of the dogs and handlers to produce consistent results. To allow fatality rates to be estimated from the number of casualties located, it is essential that assessments of the accuracy of the dog–handler team are made at each site. © 2013 The Wildlife Society.

show abstract

The use of a behaviour test for the selection of dogs for service and breeding, I: Method of testing and evaluating test results in the adult dog, demands on different kinds of service dogs, sex and breed differences

Cited by 164 publications

References 7 publications

Identifying suitable detection dogs

Identifying suitable detection dogs

A quick assessment tool for human‐directed aggression in pet dogs

Effectiveness of search dogs compared with human observers in locating bat carcasses at wind‐turbine sites: A blinded randomized trial

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