TY - JOUR
T1 - On the origin of puppies
T2 - Breeding and selling procedures relevant for canine behavioural development
AU - Dendoncker, Pierre Alexandre
AU - De Keuster, Tiny
AU - Diederich, Claire
AU - Dewulf, Jeroen
AU - Moons, Christel P.H.
PY - 2019/6/8
Y1 - 2019/6/8
N2 - The success of the dog as a companion animal has undeniably led to a shift in dog breeding practices. While effects of inbreeding or large-scale breeding have given rise to numerous studies about potentially related health issues, it remains unclear to what extent behavioural development of dogs is influenced. By investigating the environment of puppies while at the breeder, the authors aimed to make an inventory of current practices regarding management, socialisation and environmental learning and subsequently to identify potential differences between breeder types. The cross-sectional study, conducted during 2016, revealed considerable variability in environment among dog breeders. Small-scale breeders, and especially occasional breeders (less than 10 adult dogs on-site) provided most enrichment, both social and non-social, by, for instance, providing more outdoor access for pregnant dams and puppies or by providing access to visitors more freely. Environmental stimuli were less controlled in occasional breeders, raising the debate about quantity versus quality of stimuli at a young age. Large-scale breeders declared to screen potential owners less intensely and time to advise them was limited. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first study that compares a large number of environmental factors between the different dog breeding categories.
AB - The success of the dog as a companion animal has undeniably led to a shift in dog breeding practices. While effects of inbreeding or large-scale breeding have given rise to numerous studies about potentially related health issues, it remains unclear to what extent behavioural development of dogs is influenced. By investigating the environment of puppies while at the breeder, the authors aimed to make an inventory of current practices regarding management, socialisation and environmental learning and subsequently to identify potential differences between breeder types. The cross-sectional study, conducted during 2016, revealed considerable variability in environment among dog breeders. Small-scale breeders, and especially occasional breeders (less than 10 adult dogs on-site) provided most enrichment, both social and non-social, by, for instance, providing more outdoor access for pregnant dams and puppies or by providing access to visitors more freely. Environmental stimuli were less controlled in occasional breeders, raising the debate about quantity versus quality of stimuli at a young age. Large-scale breeders declared to screen potential owners less intensely and time to advise them was limited. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first study that compares a large number of environmental factors between the different dog breeding categories.
KW - behaviour
KW - canine
KW - dog breeders
KW - environmental stimuli
KW - socialisation
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85060775091&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1136/vr.104979
DO - 10.1136/vr.104979
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85060775091
VL - 184
JO - Veterinary Record
JF - Veterinary Record
SN - 0042-4900
IS - 23
ER -