In a comprehensive review of 1923 behavior cases seen at a U.S. veterinary teaching hospital between 1997 and 2017, researchers led by K. Anderson found that aggression accounted for 72.2% of behavior-related visits. Other issues included anxieties, fears, and phobias (20.1%) and miscellaneous behavioral problems (7.4%).
Over time, there was a notable shift in dog origin: dogs acquired from breeders decreased, while those adopted from shelters, rescues, or as strays increased significantly (p < 0.0001). This trend raises important considerations for shelters, trainers, and prospective adopters.
From 2007 to 2016, the study also compared 51,052 non-behavioral hospital visits to 822 behavioral cases by breed. It found that dogs from the Herding (p = 0.0124) and Terrier (p < 0.0001) groups were significantly overrepresented among behavior referrals. These results suggest that breed tendencies, possibly genetic, contribute to behavioral problems requiring professional help.
The study highlights the need for standardized diagnostic terminology across veterinary behavior research, as current inconsistencies limit effective comparison between studies. The findings may help shape future strategies for genetic research, preventive education, and resource allocation in dog behavior management.
Source: K. Anderson, Y. Yao, P. Perry, J. Albright, K. Houpt. Animals, Volume 12, February 25, 2022. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12050618
