Rachael Weiner

2/27/15

Introduction
Behavior and personality in dogs is complex, early socialization is key
for later behavior, though many other qualities effect behavior such as
breeding, body shape and behavioral stability. A significant change is shown
between neonatal age and adulthood. Early socialization is believed to play a
key role in determining later behavior. However other factors such as
inbreeding and body shape and size play a role in behavior. Also behavior
stability in dogs is under some debate. The development made in the first
year life can give deep insights to the ways dogs behavior naturally varies.
Understanding how behavior develops in young dogs is important to
understand puppy behavior. Neonatal development shows the correlation
between behaviors at a few days old to adult. Research done in Sweden
showed no correlation between three tests done on border collies in three
different developmental stages (Stefanie Riemer, 2014). It is however
believed that behavioral varies in most mammals stabilize with age (Jamie L.
Fratkin, 2013). These varices have been studied in dogs, monkeys and
humans and all of these have shown the pattern of huge behavioral swings
getting smaller with age (Stefanie Riemer, 2014). However, many other
variables effect behavior besides socialization and development.
Many other variables can effect behavior such as genetics, chemical
levels in the blood, and the size and shape of the particular dog. Inbreeding
affects the health of the dogs both physically and mentally (Distl, 2009). An
experiment to improve breeding patterns in three very rare breeds of
hounds. Breeding has a huge effect on the behavior of future puppies along
with the dangers of genetic diseases. Stud books are one of the most
important parts for preventing inbreeding because they show all the studs
and all previous breeding they have had (Distl, 2009). Chemical in the blood
are directly linked to particular behaviors. The hormones emitted by the
endocrine system are the ones that change the behavior most. Androgens
are directly linked to aggression, while Corticosteroids are related to stress
fear and the willingness to take risks (Jamie L. Fratkin, 2013). The size of the
dogs skulls proportions, weight and height has effects on behavior (Paul D.
McGreevy, 2013). Certain undesirable traits were strongly related to shorter
dogs, such as mounting, fear of other dogs, and urine marking. Weight only
directly related to one behavior, hyperactivity, the more the dog weighed the
less hyperactive they were. This all shows that as the dogs size decreases
the behavior becomes more problematic (Paul D. McGreevy, 2013). Though
many variables affect behavior, personality stability is important for the
correct placement in homes.

Rachael Weiner
2/27/15

Behavior stability in puppies is crucial to a high quality of life for the

dogs because the puppies that are being observed should be behaving in a
stable and typical manner even once they leave the situation they were
observed in (Jamie L. Fratkin, 2013). While tests done in the first year of life
show little to no correlation between behaviors from one test to another,
adult testing shows a significant correlation between the results at one test
to another. This is believed to be because of the variances in the behavior of
a dog under 1 year.
If an older dog, over one year-old, comes in contact with a puppy,
under one year-old, the puppy will behave in a submissive manner. In the
experiment adult dogs and puppies are being observed at the dog park. The
research is looking for interaction between the older dogs and the puppies,
through focusing on certain dogs and observing their behavior.

Rachael Weiner
2/27/15

Works Cited
Distl, S. V. (2009). Inbreeding trends and pedigree analysis of Bavarian mountain
hounds, Hanoverian hounds and Tyrolean hounds. Journal of Animal Breeding
and Genetics, 357-365.
Jamie L. Fratkin, D. L. (2013). Personality Consistency in Dogs: A Meta-Analysis. Plos
One , 1-19.
Paul D. McGreevy, D. G. (2013). Dog Behavior Co-Varies with Height, Bodyweight
and Skull Shape. Plos One, 1-7.
Stefanie Riemer, C. M. (2014). The Predictive Value of Early Behavioural
Assessments in Pet Dogs A Longitudinal Study from Neonates to Adults. Plos
One, 1-13.