In a landmark study published in Scientific Reports, Milla Salonen and colleagues analyzed behavioral data from over 13,700 Finnish pet dogs to examine the prevalence, comorbidity, and breed differences in anxiety-related traits. The findings revealed that anxiety is widespread across breeds, significantly impacting canine welfare and the human–dog relationship.
Noise sensitivity emerged as the most common anxiety-related trait, affecting approximately 32% of the dogs surveyed. Other prevalent forms of anxiety included fearfulness, separation-related behavior, and compulsive tendencies. The researchers also identified strong comorbidity between certain traits—for instance, hyperactivity and inattention were strongly linked with separation issues and compulsive behaviors, while fear and aggression often co-occurred.
Importantly, the study uncovered large breed differences across all anxiety traits, indicating a strong genetic component. Certain breeds exhibited much higher susceptibility to specific forms of anxiety, suggesting that selective breeding policies could help reduce behavioral problems and improve welfare.
Salonen et al. emphasized the significance of understanding both environmental and hereditary influences on dog behavior. Their findings support a growing body of evidence that chronic stress and behavioral disorders are welfare issues deserving of both scientific and practical attention in breeding and pet care.
This large-scale study not only sheds light on the epidemiology of canine anxiety but also offers actionable insights for breeders, veterinarians, and owners striving to foster emotionally resilient dogs.
Source: Salonen, M., Sulkama, S., Mikkola, S., Puurunen, J., Hakanen, E., Tiira, K., Araújo, C., & Lohi, H. (2020). Prevalence, comorbidity, and breed differences in canine anxiety in 13,700 Finnish pet dogs. Scientific Reports, 10. Published March 5, 2020.
