Study confirms: the first six months builds dogs' character
Why do some dogs become good-natured companions while others show aggression and fear?
According to a new study published in Scientific Reports, experiences in the first six months of life play a crucial role in this.
Researchers interviewed the owners of 4,497 dogs, representing 211 breeds, to find out how traumatic early experiences affect adult behaviour.
The results were unequivocal: puppies who faced abuse, stress or rejection (such as being given to another owner) were more likely to become aggressive or fearful as adults.
Each owner was asked to complete a detailed questionnaire, including the pet's life history, living conditions, and a standardised behavioural test called the C-BARQ, which assesses levels of fear and aggression. The scientists correlated this data with the breed, age and sex characteristics of the dogs to find out what factors influence character development.
The results showed that early negative events - from maternal rejection to harsh treatment by a human - significantly increased the risk of aggressive behaviour, regardless of breed, age, sex or neutering. However, the effect varies according to genetic traits.
For example, Siberian Huskies, American Eskimo dogs and American Leopard Hounds show a more pronounced response to trauma at an early age. Labradors and golden retrievers, on the other hand, were more resilient - their behaviour hardly changed even when they had a negative experience in puppyhood.
"Our study confirms that dog behaviour is shaped at the intersection of heredity and life experience. It is a direct manifestation of gene-environment interactions," the authors of the paper write.
Scientists emphasise that the results are important for both owners and breeders. The first six months of life is a critical period, and it is during this time that it is especially important to provide the puppy with a safe, stable and nurturing environment.
The next step, according to the authors, may be to look for specific genes responsible for stress tolerance or tendency to aggression. This would not only help to better understand dog behaviour, but also to develop more effective breeding and socialisation programmes.