A significant study comparing dogs obtained as puppies from pet stores versus those from non-commercial breeders has revealed notable differences in behavioral characteristics. The research, which utilized the online Canine Behavioral Assessment and Research Questionnaire (C-BARQ) to gather owner-reported data on over 6,000 dogs, found that pet store-derived dogs exhibited more unfavorable behaviors across various categories.
Key Findings: A Comparison of Behavioral Variables
The cross-sectional study involved 413 dogs acquired from pet stores and 5,657 dogs obtained from breeders. Behavioral evaluations were conducted using ordinal scales to rate the intensity or frequency of specific behaviors. Hierarchic linear and logistic regression models were employed to analyze the impact of the acquisition source on behavioral outcomes, while controlling for confounding variables.
The results indicated that dogs purchased from pet stores scored significantly less favorably than breeder-obtained dogs on 12 out of 14 measured behavioral variables. Notably, pet store dogs did not achieve more favorable scores in any behavioral category when compared to their breeder-acquired counterparts.
Specific Behavioral Concerns in Pet Store Dogs
Compared to dogs obtained as puppies from non-commercial breeders, those from pet stores demonstrated a higher prevalence of several undesirable behaviors:
- Increased Aggression: Pet store dogs exhibited significantly greater aggression towards human family members, unfamiliar people, and other dogs.
- Heightened Fear: These dogs displayed greater fear responses towards other dogs and nonsocial stimuli.
- Separation-Related Issues: A higher incidence of separation-related problems was observed in dogs obtained from pet stores.
- House Soiling: Pet store dogs were also found to have more house soiling issues.
Conclusions and Clinical Implications
The study concludes that obtaining dogs from pet stores, as opposed to non-commercial breeders, represents a significant risk factor for the development of a wide range of undesirable behavioral characteristics. The authors emphasize that until the underlying causes of these unfavorable differences can be identified and addressed, they cannot recommend acquiring puppies from pet stores. This research underscores the importance for potential dog owners to consider the source of their puppy and its potential impact on long-term behavior.