Publisher's Synopsis
Humans have bred dogs for physical and behavioral characteristics for millennia. These efforts can have unintended side effects, however, which may be either advantageous or cause issues - such as a predisposition to certain medical complaints, or, controversially, behavioral issues.
The scientific study of domestic dogs is still in its infancy, but public demand for this information is at a record high as more and more pet owners seek to understand their canine family members. Focusing on the behavioral differences and tendencies that have arisen in different breed lines, this book explores, summarizes, and explains the scientific evidence on what breed can tell us about behavior - and, crucially, what it cannot. This book covers:- the impact of inbreeding, how it contributes to problematic behavioral issues such as anxiety and aggression, and how it potentially affects the future health of the breed;
- the limits of predicting a dog's behavior based upon breed, individual differences within breeds, and thus the corresponding limitations of breed-specific legislation;
- guidance for professionals to help their clients better understand behavioral issues, traits, and appropriate expectations around the right breed for their household.
