Aggressive conflicts amongst dogs and factors affecting them
Publication Type: |
Journal Article |
Year of Publication: |
1997 |
Authors: |
A. Roll, J. Unshelm |
Publication/Journal: |
Applied Animal Behaviour Science |
Keywords: |
aggressor, dog, dog-owner relationship, intraspecific aggression, victim |
Abstract:
Over one year, 206 dog owners were questioned in a veterinary clinic. The survey included two groups: 151 owners who visited the clinic because of an injury to their dog caused by another dog and 55 people who owned dogs that caused injuries to others. The questioning served to compare aggressors and victims of dog fights. The form contained 43 questions concerning the dog, the owner, and the incident of intraspecific aggression.
The results reveal that both groups, victim and aggressor, showed regularities regarding the breeds, gender, and process of the fight. Important factors include housing conditions, criteria concerning the selection of a dog, and the dog’s training. Significant differences were found comparing the owners of aggressors and their victims, including the owner’s gender, profession, age, his/her attitude towards dogs, the selection of a specific breed, training methods, the purpose of keeping a dog, and previous experiences owning a dog.
Further conclusions were drawn regarding the time and location of the incidents. Their influence on a potential solution to the problem caused by aggressive dogs is discussed.