Abstract
In
the period 1987–1991 the consultant service established by the Danish
Animal Welfare Society and the Danish Civil Dog Training Association
reported 3975 problems in relation to pet dogs in Denmark. With nine
categories of problem behaviour a total of 2719 problems were recorded
in 2238 dogs. The data were analysed for the influence of breed, gender
and age on the risk of developing behaviour problems. The analysis was
designed as a case-control study using two control groups: (1) dogs
registered by Danish Kennel Club in a 5-year period and (2) dogs treated
at The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Copenhagen,
Denmark in a 4-month period. Thirteen breeds or breed groups including
mixed breeds were compared with a reference group consisting of Labrador
Retrievers. Compared with the reference group, Alsatians seemed to have
higher risks of aggression towards other dogs, aggression towards
strangers and general anxiety. For Cocker Spaniels higher risks of
aggression towards the owner, aggression towards strangers and indoor
urination/defecation were found. Collies seemed to have higher risks of
aggression towards strangers, indoor urination/defecation and general
anxiety. Furthermore, a higher risk of general anxiety was found in
Poodles and Fox Terriers. Generally, Dachshunds, a group consisting of
all terriers excluding Fox Terriers and mixed breeds, seemed to have a
low risk of behaviour problems. Compared with females, males seemed to
have a lower risk of general anxiety and a higher risk of problems
related to lack of training and all kinds of aggression. About 80% of
the behaviour problems were reported within the first 3 years of life.
Only 5.5% of the dogs were suggested to be or were in fact euthanized.
