Using the Mini C-BARQ to Investigate the Effects of Puppy Farming on Dog Behaviour

Abstract

High demand for dogs in countries like the UK can lead to illegal intensive breeding and illegal 1 importation of puppies for the pet trade. The current study investigates the effects of intensive 2 breeding or 'puppy farming' on canine behaviour, explores new ways of predicting negative outcomes 3 and categorising dog behaviour, and probes whether various types of training or routines can mitigate 4 these behavioural outcomes. Participants completed an online self-report questionnaire, combining a 5 shortened version of the Canine Behavioural Assessment and Research Questionnaire (mini C-6 BARQ) , with new scales created in collaboration with the Scottish Society for the 7 Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Scottish SPCA). 2,026 participants completed the questionnaire; 8 most owners had dogs from non-puppy farm backgrounds (n=1702), the rest had dogs from puppy 9 farms (n=123), or were unsure of the source of the dog (n=201). We validated the mini C-BARQ as a 10 tool for measuring dog behaviour, and explored its latent dimensions using factor analysis, extracting 11 five first-order factors and one overarching second-order factor. We also confirm the validity of three 12 of the four new scales developed with Scottish SPCA used to measure the impact of puppy farming 13 practices. Linear and logistic regressions demonstrated that dogs from puppy farms have less 14 desirable behaviours than dogs from other sources on 11 of the 14 behavioural subscales of the C-15 BARQ (for significant subscales, coefficients were between 0.1 and 0.2, and odds Ratios between 1.6 16 and 2.5). Generalized Linear Models (GLM) revealed the predictive power of two newly developed 17 scales measuring early life experience in explaining variations in dog behaviour. In a GLM 18 accounting for the dog's early life experience (and controlling for variables like breed and age), dog-19 walking significantly reduced the incidence of undesirable behaviours (p<0.001), while different 20 types of training had a significant interaction with poor early life experience in moderating canine 21 behaviour (p<0.002). Finally, dogs from puppy farms had significantly worse medical scores than 22 dogs from other breeding sources (U = 144,719, z = 7.228, p < 0.001). These results suggest that 23 puppy farming has negative impacts on dog behaviours and health, while more research is necessary 24 to fully explore how to mitigate the effects of poor early life experience. 25

Investigating risk factors that predict a dog’s fear during veterinary consultations

“…environmental, previous experience or human-animal interactions) pinpoint the severity of the fear response. This mirrors previous studies investigating neuter age and stranger-directed aggression [29] or fear-related behaviours [30], source of acquisition and non-social or stranger-directed fear [45], and litter size and personality [46]. Indeed, Casey et al [47] suggest the factors associated with human-directed aggression explain a similar amount of variance (<10%), and emphasise that individual experience is likely of much greater importance in determining behaviour.…”

“…This reflects a similar finding by Blackwell et al[50], that dogs bred by their guardians are less likely to show fear responses to noises than dogs from other sources. Further, puppies from pet stores had increased risk of behavioural issues in comparison to puppies purchased from breeders [45, 57], while the quality of maternal care can have long term behavioural fallout and alter the physiological responses to stress [44,58]. That is, dogs bred by their guardians may reflect a higher level of both maternal and guardian care and/or appropriate socialisation and early experience in the first few weeks of life in situations where guardians know they are keeping a puppy from a litter.…”

Investigating risk factors that predict a dog’s fear during veterinary visits

“…environmental, previous experience or human-animal interactions) play in determining the severity of the fear response. This mirrors findings reported in previous studies investigating neuter age and stranger-directed aggression [28] or fear-related behaviours [29], source of acquisition and non-social or stranger-directed fear [42], and litter size and personality [43].…”

“…This reflects a similar finding by Blackwell, Bradshaw and Casey [45], that dogs bred by their guardians less likely to show fear responses to noises than dogs from other sources. Further, puppies from pet stores had increased risk of behavioural issues in comparison to puppies purchased from breeders [42,46]. Indeed the quality of maternal care can have long term behavioural fallout and alter the physiological responses to stress [47].…”

Parasites and vector-borne diseases disseminated by rehomed dogs

“…Multiple drivers affect canine welfare worldwide including natural disasters [ 1 ], persecution of street dogs [ 2 ], the canine meat trade [ 3 ], the practice of acquiring pet dogs as puppies bred in high production, commercial facilities, often in geographically remote locations [ 4 , 5 ] and travelling dogs brought for mating [ 6 ]. Public desire to adopt dogs from abroad that have often had their welfare compromised by these events is increasing.…”