Immune gene diversity in grey wolves (Canis lupus)

Abstract

s / Journal of Veterinary Behavior 8 (2013) e27ee46 e33 The behavior of 22 dogs (11 females and 11males)was analysed in a modified version of the Ainsworth Strange Situation Test. The stranger was played by a 25 year old woman, while the presumed attachment figure was played by a conspecific living in the same household. Eighteen social and non-social behaviors were observed. The twodogswere left free in theunknown room, therefore for social behaviors only those started by the tested dog were statistically analysed. Data were analyzed by a Wilcoxon test (P < 0.05). Dogs in isolation were found to cry more than in the presence of the stranger or the other dog. Moreover, when dogs were alone, they displayed more behaviors directed to the door and spent more time close to the door. For such behaviors, no difference was found when comparing episodes in the company of the stranger or the other dog. Concerning social behaviors, dogs behaved similarly towards stranger and conspecifics for physical contact, proximity and attention seeking behaviors. Unlike previous research on dog attachment to owner, dogs’ behavior related to stranger and cohabitant dogs were quite similar, so the presence of an intraspecific attachment in dogs was not demonstrated. However, results show that dogs were more stressed when alone than in the company of a familiar dog; and the presence of a human being, although unfamiliar, has a similar ameliorative effect.