Dogs getting dumber, researcher says
Purebred dogs are getting dumber and less agile because of the focus by breeders on appearance, scientists in Sweden say.
According to a report in the London Telegraph, the researchers say the change has taken place over the course of just a few generations.
While 19th century dogs were selected for breeding based on their strength and skills — such as guarding homes, retrieving quarry or watching over livestock — today’s dogs are more likely to be chosen strictly for their appearance. As a result, the researchers say, the are less responsive to commands and not as alert or attentive.
“Modern breeding practices are affecting the behavior and mental abilities of pedigree breeds as well as their physical features,” said Kenth Svartberg, an ethologist from Stockholm University and author of the research report.
Dr. Svartberg tested 13,000 dogs on characteristics such as sociability and curiosity to help him rate 31 different breeds. He found that those bred for appearance, and especially for shows, displayed reduced ability levels. He also found that attractive appearance was often linked with introversion and a boring personality.
The worst affected working breeds were smooth collies, once a herding dog, and Rhodesian ridgebacks, which were used for hunting.
(Image from My Dog’s Brain, by Vermont artist Stephen Huneck)
Posted by jwoestendiek February 2nd, 2009 under Muttsblog.
Tags: agile, alert, appearance, attentive, breeders, breeding, breeds, dogs, dumber, looks, my dog's brain, practices, purebreds, research, scientists, skills, standards, stephen huneck, stockholm university, sweden, swedish
