Behavior, Dog Care, Health, Training
Dogs can sometimes display sudden, uncharacteristic episodes of aggression that cannot be explained by the owners. A recent study by researchers at Animal Nutrition and Welfare Service of the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona set out to understand why some dogs – who have no history of aggression or biting – appear to attack without warning.
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Their research uncovered that many of the dogs were likely to be in pain and suffering from an undiagnosed or untreated illness.
Although the study acknowledged there were complex genetics and environmental factors (such as a dog’s experiences while socializing, weaning period, exercise and diet) that contributed to canine aggression, they discovered that pain can also be a significant factor in causing a dog to behave violently.
Dog guardians voluntarily brought their dogs into evaluation at the university hospital during 2010 to 2011. The scientists analyzed the aggression problems among 12 dogs of various breeds, including a Giant schnauzer, Irish Setter, Pit Bull, Dalmatian, two German Shepherd Dogs, Neapolitan Mastiff, Shih-tzu, Bobtail, Catalan Sheepdog, Chow-chow, and Doberman Pinscher.
Tomás Camps, the lead author of the study noted: “All (eleven males and one female) were diagnosed as having aggression caused by pain. Out of the 12 studied, eight had suffered hip dysplasia.”
Canine hip dysplasia is a common ailment in dogs. It affects millions of dogs and is a hereditary and degenerative bone disorder that affects the hip joints. Labradors, Rottweilers and more than 40% of Golden Retrievers are diagnosed with hip dysplasia. In general, it can affect any large breed of dog (including mixed breeds) and it is also found in toy breeds such as pugs.
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