Street dogs are commonly rehomed from Southern and Eastern Europe to Northern Europe, including Denmark. While adoption provides them with a new chance at life, adjustment to domestic environments can be challenging. Munkeboe et al. (2021) investigated whether imported street dogs display more behavioral problems than those reared locally in Denmark.
Two large-scale surveys were conducted—one with 3,020 Danish dog owners and another with 173 veterinarians. Owners of former street dogs reported more frequent problem behaviors in 9 of 45 categories, primarily linked to fear, stress, and aggression. Examples included fear of humans, reactivity, and difficulties when left alone at home.
Interestingly, veterinarians reported a higher prevalence of behavioral issues than owners, likely because stress responses are heightened during clinical handling. This suggests that while many owners view their dogs as manageable, professionals observe more pronounced behavioral challenges.
The findings highlight the need for special support and education for adopters of former street dogs. Patience, training, and understanding the unique backgrounds of these dogs are key to promoting welfare and building strong human–dog relationships.
Source: Munkeboe, N., Lohse-Lind, A., Sandøe, P., Forkman, B., & Nielsen, S. (2021). Comparing Behavioural Problems in Imported Street Dogs and Domestically Reared Danish Dogs—The Views of Dog Owners and Veterinarians. Animals, 11. Published May 1, 2021.
