Canine News

A Biological Reviews article highlights flaws in how dog breeds are chosen for behavioral studies and proposes best practices for valid research.

Research in Scientific Reports finds that dog–human relationships resemble both parent–child and best-friend dynamics, with high support and low conflict.

Research in Behaviour highlights how early life experiences—maternal care, attachment, and socialisation—determine dogs’ long-term behavior and welfare.

Research in Developmental Psychobiology reveals that early life stress in dogs modifies glucocorticoid and oxytocin receptor genes, shaping stress and attachment.

Research in Animals shows that dogs can form secure or avoidant attachments to owners, with secure dogs seeking more contact and proximity.

Research in Animal Welfare reveals that dogs visited by their owners after routine surgery showed less pain, stress, and inactivity.

Research in Animals reveals that specific welfare factors measured by the Animal Welfare Assessment Grid (AWAG) can predict canine behavior disorders.

Research in PLOS ONE shows that pre-session positive activities did not improve learning in dogs and instead made them more stress-sensitive.

Research in Animals highlights how trauma-informed care, adapted from human psychology, could enhance welfare in dogs with anxiety disorders.

Research in Animals shows that purebred dog breeders vary in their priorities for selecting dams, with some overlooking key health and maternal factors.

Research in Scientific Reports shows that active, social lifestyles and conspecific companionship lower fearfulness and anxiety in pet dogs.

Research in Animals reveals that shelter dogs experience less stress when housed with other dogs compared to enrichment or human interaction.

A new Animals review examines motivations, benefits, and harms of neutering, revealing complex links to canine health, hormones, and behavior.

A 2024 Scientific Reports study reveals that dogs adjust facial expressions and behaviors depending on whether a human or another dog is watching.

A 2023 Animal Cognition study reveals that dogs display displacement behaviors like blinking and nose licking as signs of non-aggression.

A 2012 BMC Veterinary Research study shows obese dogs can develop metabolic dysfunction marked by low adiponectin and high insulin, similar to humans.

A 2025 review highlights how obesity in dogs triggers endocrine and metabolic disorders, urging prevention through nutrition, exercise, and early diagnosis.

Research in PeerJ shows raw-feeding dog owners perceive higher nutrition but lower risk, while cooked diet feeders express more caution and trust vets.

A review in Animals warns that prioritizing dog appearance over health fuels genetic disorders, welfare issues, and unethical breeding practices.

Research in Translational Psychiatry reveals strong links between personality traits and behavioral problems in pet dogs, mirroring human psychology.

Research in the Scientific Messenger of LNU of Veterinary Medicine and Biotechnologies stresses balanced feeding as key to dog health and well-being.

Research in the Turkish Journal of Veterinary Research highlights physiotherapy as a noninvasive treatment option to improve health in geriatric dogs.

Research in Canine Genetics and Epidemiology shows that selective sweeps in Australian Working Kelpies highlight genes tied to pain perception and fear memory.

A Scientific Reports study shows veterinary education and experience shape how pain sensitivity is perceived across dog breeds, compared to public views.

An Animals study reveals major differences between reward-based and balanced dog trainers in their opinions on separation anxiety, veterinary roles, and medication.

An Animals case report presents a treatment plan for dogs showing impaired social functioning toward their owners, emphasizing stress reduction, awareness, and training.

An Animals study using the Animal Welfare Assessment Grid identifies aggression towards caregivers, frequent fears, and reduced control as predictors of canine behaviour disorders.

Dogs with higher training and social motivation were more attentive and cooperative, regardless of breed group.

A PLoS Genetics study shows Patagonian sheepdogs are direct descendants of pre-Victorian UK herding dogs, offering a rare link to extinct canine lineages.

Dogs from working breeds and actively trained working dogs performed better at following human pointing cues than non-working breeds.

Genomic evidence shows herding dogs carry a unique EPHB1 haplotype tied to chase-bite behaviors, highlighting selection for livestock control.

Nearly all UK pandemic puppies displayed problem behaviors by 21 months, with aversive training methods strongly tied to negative outcomes.

Dogs trained with aversive methods showed higher stress, cortisol spikes, and negative bias, while reward-based training supported welfare.

Dogs and cats often show behavioral changes caused by hidden medical issues like pain, endocrine disease, or neurological disorders.

Dog training programs in prisons help incarcerated individuals strengthen attachments and prosocial networks, supporting rehabilitation and desistance.

Survey responses show genetic testing gives dog owners new insights into breed and ancestry but does not alter their emotional bond.

Obese dogs were found to have impaired heart rate variability and reduced cardiac systolic function, suggesting higher cardiovascular disease risk.

A systematic review of 19 studies shows aggression in dogs is shaped by complex genetic and environmental interactions, requiring better research methods.

Veterinarians and the public perceive dog breeds as differing in pain sensitivity, a belief that may affect pain recognition and treatment.

Siberian Huskies in Brazil are seen as heat-sensitive, with owners adapting walking schedules, though time limits can still pose welfare risks.

A systematic review of 44 studies found that behavioral assessment dominates dog welfare research, key for preventing abandonment.

Ancient breeds such as Akitas, Huskies, and Samoyeds often show aggression, vocalization, and motor issues, influenced by breed, sex, and housing.

Dogs in animal-assisted therapy face stress if not well-prepared. Best practices ensure welfare, proper selection, and humane training.

Early life experiences—such as rehoming age, socialization, and training—play a key role in shaping the risk of aggression in adult dogs.

Early life experiences—maternal care, attachment, and socialization—have lasting effects on dogs’ behavior and may prevent future disorders.

Dogs with fear and aggression toward humans show distinctive facial asymmetry, suggesting a novel tool for evaluating emotional and behavioral disorders.

Search and rescue dogs showed reduced heart rate variability and slower responses under frustration stress, affecting accuracy more than exercise stress.

Treatment with narcotic antagonists significantly decreased compulsive self-licking, chewing, and scratching in dogs, especially those with acral lick dermatitis.

Chewing benefits dogs by promoting oral hygiene, digestion, bone strength, and stress relief, though inappropriate items may harm health and welfare.

Analysis of 32,081 dog relinquishments in BC shelters shows rising trends in behavior and overcrowding issues, while financial reasons are declining.

Adopters who returned dogs expected perfect health, behavior, and bonding, while most owners faced early behavioral challenges that improved with time.

Hungarian dog owners report love, support, and companionship as top benefits, but financial and health-related costs as key drawbacks.

Search and rescue training significantly affects dogs’ heart rate, respiration, blood values, and hormones, but does not induce exhaustion.

Dog owners with strong bonds to their pets often feel parental-style guilt, especially when anxious attachment influences caregiving behaviors.

Research reveals that puppy cognition is shaped by temperament traits like fear and excitability, with effects differing by sex and age.

Research shows dog owners easily spot stressful situations but fail to identify behavioral stress signals, highlighting need for awareness programs.

Research reveals female dogs with osteoarthritis struggle with memory tasks, suggesting chronic pain may impair cognition similar to human disorders.

Proof-of-concept research found that dogs detect stress-related breath compounds during trauma cue exposure, supporting PTSD service dog applications.

RSPCA Queensland data reveal that most adoption returns occur within 14 days, with risk shaped by dog age, weight, breed, coat color, and foster care.

Noise fears are the most common behavioral issue in dogs. Preventive training and medication show strong benefits, but alternative remedies fall short.

Among 100 Romanian dogs studied, nearly all showed aggression, most often toward family, visitors, or other dogs, underscoring welfare risks.

At 21 months, almost all Pandemic Puppies displayed problem behaviors, with aversive training use common and tied to increased behavior issues.

Pandemic-era puppies were less likely to attend classes or meet visitors and more likely to be designer crossbreeds, sparking welfare concerns.

Exercises with novel objects, noises, and problem-solving improved puppies’ confidence short-term, but long-term effects required ongoing training.

Psychologists debate whether dogs show jealousy. Evidence is mixed, but jealousy may be an ancient emotion that safeguards bonds and relationships.

Exploratory interviews reveal how emotions, trust, and cooperation shape the unique bonds between French Army handlers and their working dogs.

Research reveals that both psychiatric service dog and search-and-rescue handlers struggle to detect subtle canine emotions, highlighting welfare concerns.

Research shows that dominance rank influences how cohabiting dogs rely on humans or canine partners in learning tasks.

Researchers developed a deep learning model using ResNet50 that outperformed others in accurately identifying dog breeds from images.

Research shows that owner temperament affects emotional closeness, perceived costs, and dogs’ performance in social–cognitive tasks.

Shelter dogs exposed to music showed heart rate variability patterns indicating reduced stress and improved welfare.

Research reveals that dogs can generalize imitation in modified contexts, relying on object features as cues to recall learned actions.

Dogs displaying ASD-like social traits show difficulties in generalizing stimuli, reinforcing their value as models for autism research.

A systematic review finds little evidence that impulsivity in dogs is a stable trait, highlighting the importance of context in behavior.

Shelter dogs experience less stress when housed with other dogs, highlighting the welfare benefits of companionship over isolation.

Early research emphasized repetition of key-stimuli, stress recognition, and clear handler–dog communication in effective dog training.

Shelter dogs with left-paw bias showed higher stress behaviors, linking laterality to coping strategies and potential welfare risks.

Dogs go through an adolescent phase marked by reduced trainability and conflict-like behaviors, most evident in those with insecure attachments.

Kennelled dogs under chronic stress displayed reduced preference for sweet and umami flavors, suggesting depressive-like states of anhedonia.

Dogs exhibited appeasement signals such as blinking and nose licking, reflecting non-aggressive intentions even beyond conflict situations.

An international study found that most overweight dogs lost significant weight with diet plans, showing better health and well-being.

Using data from over six million dogs, researchers created growth charts that allow healthy weight tracking across different size categories.

Atopic dogs without otitis signs display ear microbiota changes, including more Staphylococcus, suggesting higher infection risk.

Veterans report that service dogs reduce hypervigilance, ease nightmares, and improve emotional and social well-being while living with PTSD.

Clinically healthy overweight and obese dogs show altered gut microbiota, metabolite shifts, and reduced diversity, suggesting early disease markers.

Cohabitation and dog ownership shape microbial communities, with owners sharing more skin microbiota with their dogs than with other humans.

Dogs fed BARF diets had distinct gut microbiota and metabolite profiles, including higher E. coli and Clostridium, compared to commercial-fed dogs.

A systematic review found that early life factors—including rehoming age, socialization, and owner experience—affect adult dogs’ risk of aggression.

A review of canine cortisol studies emphasizes non-invasive sampling and calls for standardized, ethical methods to advance welfare research.

A pilot study tested a virtual Labrador model displaying aggressive or calm behaviors, showing VR can aid research and dog safety education.

A 2021 review identifies rational canine age categories, supporting research on dog cognition, aging, and welfare across breeds.

A 2024 study found dogs distinguish genuine human emotions, altering their behavior to sadness or joy, yet without clear signs of empathy.

Surveying 1,807 UK dogs, researchers found routine changes in time left alone during COVID-19 lockdown increased risk of separation anxiety.

Researchers in Russia designed a prototype device that monitors dog vocalizations, classifying anxiety-linked behaviors and sending alerts via chatbot.

Researchers identified genetic variants on chromosome 28 that determine whether dogs have a single or double coat, key to breed traits.

Large-scale dog genomics and surveys reveal breed is a weak predictor of behavior, challenging long-held stereotypes about dog temperament.

Research on Siberian foxes shows how selection for tameness explains many behavioral and physical traits seen in domesticated dogs.

The CFQ provides a validated way to measure frustration in dogs, offering insights into behavior problems linked to aggression and stress.

Research shows neutering can reduce unwanted behaviors but may also increase risks of fear, anxiety, and panic in dogs.

Dogs reacted more to threatening videos but showed displacement behaviors like yawning and sniffing mainly in neutral, ambiguous contexts.

Research finds that feral dogs in urban green areas shape the vigilance and distribution of synanthropic mammals without changing feeding patterns.

Shelter dogs in prison training programs showed better social skills, improved obedience, and no signs of stress or welfare compromise.

Dogs with fewer facial markings tend to be more expressive, improving human perception and interaction in training and daily life.

Dogs were the most common and most loved pets among Liverpool schoolchildren, with social and family factors shaping ownership and attachment.

Dogs need balanced nutrition with proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals—unlike outdated all-meat feeding that caused health issues.

Dogs fed a nutraceutical diet showed lower stress markers and improved neuroendocrine balance, reducing anxiety-linked behavioral disorders.

Guide dog ownership was linked to improved independence and overall quality of life, while those on waiting lists reported declines.

A UK survey revealed that many dog owners prioritize their pets’ quality of life over cost when choosing treatments for canine pruritus.

Pet owners with higher attachment scores were more likely to expect advanced veterinary care for their cats and dogs, highlighting emotional influence on treatment choices.

A study found that relaxed and socialized shelter dogs pull less and show positive body language on walks, improving handler experience.

A study found that dogs attend to partner behavior and reward cues to solve cooperative tasks, working successfully with both humans and other dogs.

A Mayo Clinic pilot study found therapy dogs displayed stress behaviors during first hospital visits, but cortisol results showed stable welfare.

Tortora (1983) demonstrated that safety training, unlike aversive methods, permanently reduced avoidance-driven aggression in dogs while boosting stability.

Kokocińska-Kusiak et al. (2021) review canine olfaction, highlighting its physiology, behavior, and practical applications in medicine and security.

DeChant et al. (2020) show that handler awareness of hide numbers changes canine search behavior but not false alert accuracy.

Casey et al. (2021) found that dogs exposed to two or more aversive training methods were more pessimistic, highlighting welfare risks.

Johnson & Wynne (2022) show that trainers’ language reveals training style, with non-aversive trainers more often women and certified.

Alves et al. (2018) found that exposing police dog puppies to varied sounds early in life enhanced their performance in social and environmental tests.

Alves et al. (2018) found that early auditory stimulation in puppies altered behavioral test outcomes, with effects on social interaction and noise reactivity.

Lo & Roberts (2019) demonstrate that dogs use odor cues to recall what, where, and when, supporting evidence of episodic-like memory in canines.

Sanches et al. (2022) reveal that clinically healthy elderly dogs exhibit episodic-like memory decline, independent of sex or size.

Johnson et al. (2023) show that dog behavior with dental chews better predicts owner-reported preference than owners’ own product choices.

González-Martínez et al. (2024) review ADHD-like behavior in dogs, noting genetic–environmental roots, comorbidities, and treatment options.

Armero et al. (2024) reveal that population stratification complicates building reliable methylation-based biological age clocks in dogs.

Lord et al. (2024) argue for an evolutionary framework in canine behavioral genetics to uncover gene–environment interactions shaping behavior.

Björnerfeldt et al. (2007) highlight how poodles illustrate gene flow, domestication’s genomic effects, and the value of purebreds in research.

Bhadra (2011) explores how selective breeding shaped dogs’ skills and how their superior sense of smell may aid cancer detection.

Björnerfeldt et al. (2007) show how domestication and modern breeding drive unique genetic variation in dogs, boosting their role in disease research.

Binns et al. (1996) highlight genetic screening evidence that dogs originated from grey wolves, with breed diversity shaped by human selection.

Lorna and Raymond Coppinger present a new model of canine domestication, showing how self-domestication and human environments shaped modern dogs.

A Cold Spring Harbor study shows that selective breeding has enhanced canine diversity but also concentrated hereditary diseases, making screening essential.

A Science study finds breed ancestry is a poor predictor of dog behavior, with traits shaped by polygenic adaptation and environment.

Research shows dogs from adverse backgrounds develop altered OXTR and NR3C1 methylation, affecting cortisol regulation and attachment behavior.

Research shows canine OXTR gene polymorphisms differ from wolves and jackals, suggesting selection for social behavior during domestication.

Epigenetic changes in the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) are linked to dogs’ responses to threatening humans, highlighting oxytocin’s role in social behavior.

The PhyDo Project highlights how selective breeding shaped dog population structure and aids discovery of genetic variants behind traits and diseases.

This book provides a comprehensive guide to dog domestication, selective breeding, behavior, health care, and nutrition for lifelong well-being.

This study emphasizes how selective breeding shaped canine diversity, while recognizing dogs as independent social actors in human societies.

Using genomic and behavioral data from over 50,000 dogs, researchers uncovered 10 major genetic lineages linked to distinct behavioral traits.

Dogs descended from wolves tens of thousands of years ago, but modern selective breeding has shaped breeds, behaviors, and health risks.

Domestic dogs appeared in the Americas thousands of years ago, but their history is complex, involving hybridizations, cultural uses, and regional gaps in study.

Genome analysis reveals dogs carry 2–3% more harmful genetic variants than wolves, linked to domestication bottlenecks and selective sweeps.

Research suggests dog tail wagging may have evolved through domestication as either a by-product of tameness or direct human preference for rhythmic stimuli.

Research using CT scans of 159 dog breeds shows domestication reduced brain size, but breed function and life history traits had no effect.

Research reveals the evolutionary history of dogs, with Chinese Village Dogs offering unique insight into domestication and breed diversity.

When faced with an impossible task, cooperative dog breeds are more likely to seek human help by looking back compared to independent breeds.

Interviews with women revealed dog ownership reduces stress, strengthens social bonds, and enhances mental health, despite added responsibilities.

Research reveals dog owners perceive problematic behaviors through categories such as aggression, fear, disobedience, and loneliness.

Research shows perception biases tied to owner demographics shape how dog behaviors like barking or destruction are judged.

Researchers created a validated scale measuring dog owner parenting behaviors, showing strong links to dogs’ behavioral problems and wellbeing.

Owners reported reduced stress signs in dogs using new long-lasting pheromone devices, offering extended support in everyday stressful situations.

Research reveals that pet dogs are more likely to free trapped owners calling for help, showing signs of empathy-driven prosocial behavior.

A prison dog training study shows shelter dogs gain sociability and obedience skills while showing no signs of stress.

A Swedish study of 83 dogs shows relinquished dogs display short-term stress but can adapt well, forming close emotional ties with new owners.

A 2022 paper suggests creating a global canine biobank network to advance dementia and aging research, using dogs as natural models.

Food choices shape the gut microbiome of cats and dogs, influencing digestion, metabolism, and disease outcomes, according to a 2020 review.

Lactobacilli isolated from healthy dogs survived harsh gut-like conditions and inhibited pathogens, showing strong probiotic potential.

Research found that fermented milk containing milk phospholipids reduced gut imbalances and eased itching in dogs with allergic skin issues.

A Journal of Animal Science study showed that Bacillus coagulans improved stool firmness and supported gut health in dogs despite abrupt diet shifts.

A PLoS ONE study revealed that probiotics had limited influence on inflammasome gene expression in dogs with chronic enteropathy.

A Current Developments in Nutrition study showed probiotics produced small but significant gut microbiome changes in healthy dogs after 4 weeks.

A Food & Function study showed that probiotics improved gut microbial diversity and reduced harmful bacteria in dogs with diarrhoea over 60 days.

A Bulgarian Journal of Veterinary Medicine study isolated Enterococcus faecium from healthy dogs, confirming safety markers and identifying probiotic potential.

A Pakistan Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences study shows microencapsulation enhances probiotic survival, boosts beneficial bacteria, and reduces fecal toxins in dogs.

A Microbiology Spectrum study reveals that dogs carrying ESBL-producing E. coli have altered gut microbiota and antimicrobial resistance gene profiles.

A Microbiology Spectrum study finds that probiotic strains Enterococcus faecium IDCC 2102 and Bifidobacterium lactis IDCC 4301 promote weight loss in obese dogs.

A mSystems study finds that dietary fiber sources significantly affect gut microbes and metabolites in dogs, revealing personalized nutrition effects.

A Journal of Animal Science study shows that daily supplementation with Bifidobacterium animalis CECT 8145, live or heat-killed, may benefit gut health and hormone balance in overweight dogs.

A review in the Journal of Animal Science emphasizes the importance of balancing omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids in dogs, with flaxseed and camelina oils offering sustainable alternatives to fish oil.

A review in Microorganisms highlights how probiotics benefit canine and feline gut health, though their exact mechanisms remain unclear.

Research in the Journal of Animal Science suggests daily inositol improves glucose regulation and interacts with inflammatory responses in overweight dogs.

A 2008 JAVMA study found dog owners often misunderstand child bite risks, with women and mothers showing greater awareness than men.

A 2022 Science study reveals that modern dog breeds are mainly defined by appearance, not behavior, which varies greatly among individuals.

A 2022 survey shows that many small-animal veterinarians feel poorly equipped to manage behavior problems in dogs, underscoring gaps in education.

A 2007 review concludes that capture–neuter–return programs for free-roaming dogs provide long-term, cost-effective rabies control and welfare benefits.

A 2023 study shows that humane certification in dog food allows owners to feel they are “caring” for both pets and farmed animals, while sustaining animal hierarchies.

A 2021 study shows inbreeding, body size, and extreme morphologies increase health problems in dog breeds.

A 2023 veterinary study found that personalized homemade diets with carefully selected ingredients can improve digestive health in dogs.

A 2015 BMC Veterinary Research study found that fluoxetine with behavior modification not only improved dogs’ separation anxiety but also their mood.

A 2025 Scientific Reports study shows gut microbiota composition relates to anxiety and aggression in dogs, with Blautia linked to anxious behavior.

A review in Agricultural Reviews explores psychiatric-like disorders in dogs and cats, linking genetics, early-life factors, and therapies.

A Frontiers in Allergy study found that scent-detection dogs achieved up to 90% accuracy in detecting stress-related VOCs in trauma survivors’ breath samples.

A Scientific Reports study found noise sensitivity in 32% of Finnish pet dogs, with strong breed differences and links between fear, aggression, and compulsive traits.

A 2023 Journal of Animal Science study tested the 13C-bicarbonate method in overweight dogs, showing diet type influenced weight loss speed but not hormone levels.

A 2016 study in PLoS ONE found that amylase gene copy number expansion in dogs reflects adaptation to starch-rich diets long after domestication.

Heys et al. (2023) found that enrichment feeding is linked to reduced food-seeking and improved behavior in dogs, though time demands limit wider use.

Rendón & Ramírez (2023) report that obesity in dogs, affecting up to 60% globally, is influenced by diet composition, feeding patterns, and exercise.

Raspa et al. (2023) found that dog food bowls used for wet food and made of metal harbored more bacteria, with dishwashers outperforming hand washing.

Fomina et al. (2022) review modern research showing that sleep hygiene is essential for pet dog welfare, with deprivation leading to stress and health risks.

Shih et al. (2019) show that neglect—poor care, food, shelter, or exercise—is the most common welfare concern in Queensland dogs.

Morel et al. (2024) highlight how fashion-driven breeding of hypertypes undermines the health, welfare, and longevity of purebred dogs and cats.

Burnett et al. (2022) report that UK households seek designer crossbreeds for perceived hypoallergenic traits, but such trends risk poor welfare outcomes.

Pongrácz & Dobos (2024) critically reviewed breed-comparison studies, urging hypothesis-driven sampling to achieve ecologically valid insights.

Braem et al. (2017) developed the Highly Sensitive Dog questionnaire, confirming sensory sensitivity as a distinct canine personality trait.

Ozcan et al. (2019) show breed choice is guided by adaptability, temperament, and function, with dog traits outweighing demographics.

González-Martínez et al. (2024) highlight that ADHD-like dogs display impulsivity, hyperactivity, and aggression, with links to serotonin and dopamine dysregulation.

Sealy et al. (2021) report that isolation rooms in UK schools strip children of curriculum access, physical activity, and social interaction, causing anger and despair.

Santos et al. (2020) surveyed 345 French dog breeders, showing that human contact is the main method used to reduce stress in bitches during peripartum.

Karpiński et al. (2021) reveal that stroking helps lower stress in dogs, with paw preference and sex influencing hormonal responses.

Rivera & Meyers-Manor (2024) reveal that dogs rarely display empathy-like behaviors toward strangers, suggesting owner presence is key.