Hunt, Rebecca
(2025)
Genetic influences on puppy and juvenile guide dog behaviour.
PhD thesis, University of Nottingham.
Abstract
The influence of genetics on behaviour in dogs has been under constant debate and is of particular importance to assistance dog organisations, where breeding suitable dogs for the working role is important to maximise resources and efficiencies and improve dog welfare. The aims of this thesis were to determine the genetic influences on guide dog behaviour through pedigree and genome-based heritability estimates for data captured through questionnaires and a behavioural observation assessment. Behavioural questionnaires were collected in a cohort of juvenile guide dog puppies at five months (5M, n=551), eight months (8M, n=2317) and 12 months (12M, n=1537) of age using a previously validated questionnaire, the refined-Puppy Walker Questionnaire (r-PWQ). Due to a difference in component (group of questions) structure for this population, the questionnaire was adjusted. A pedigree-based heritability analysis was undertaken, with the 5M Anxiety component indicating the highest heritability (h2=0.29). Heritabilities at 8M and 12M were below 0.1 for all behavioural components. Using the same data, a genomic-based heritability analysis was undertaken for 96 dogs at 8M and 12M. Genomic-based heritabilities were higher than pedigree-based estimates and following a genome wide association study (GWAS), Excitement behaviours at 12M and Separation behaviours at 8M indicated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) approaching significance. Links were found between these behaviours in dogs and genes associated with obsessive/depressive disorders in humans (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, alcoholism, depression and schizophrenia).
Behavioural assessments comprising of six published tasks were undertaken in a cohort of 399 puppies around eight weeks of age. Twenty-two of the 79 behavioural measures demonstrated heritabilities above 0.4, with the highest heritabilities found for the Novel Object and Surprising Events tasks. A principal component analysis (PCA) extracted six behavioural components, demonstrating correlations to questionniare components, supporting use of the questionnaire at Guide Dogs UK (GDUK). Evaluation of inter and intra-reliability of behaviours observed during the assessment indicated differences between assessors, highlighting the importance of consistency and reliability in behavioural assessments. Following these findings, a pilot study utilising machine learning (ML) was undertaken, comparing computer generated and human generated results. It is suggested that future studies could utilise ML methods for behavioural analysis in puppies.
Behaviours associated with anxiety/fear were shown to be consistently heritable in this population through pedigree-based and genomic-based methods, suggesting that some of the variation in the phenotype displayed can be attributed to genetic influences. Based on the findings from the present study, GDUK could select away from these behaviours during breeding should it be possible to account for the behaviours when planning matings between sires and dams. The present study also highlighted environmental and puppy raiser influences on behaviour; GDUK should continue to invest in supporting volunteers through puppy raising due to the large potential to positively impact future behaviour.
The use of terminology when describing and discussing behaviour has been under debate by behavioural researchers, with the terms ‘temperament’ and ‘personality’ often used interchangeably and with few stating definitions for the terms. The present study discusses the two terms, and a conclusion made that the behavioural data analysed during the thesis is indicative of ‘temperament’, with reasonings and evidence discussed.
| Item Type: |
Thesis (University of Nottingham only)
(PhD)
|
| Supervisors: |
England, Gary
Blott, Sarah |
| Keywords: |
Guide dogs; Dog behaviour; Genetic influences; Behavioural data |
| Subjects: |
S Agriculture > SF Animal culture |
| Faculties/Schools: |
UK Campuses > Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > School of Veterinary Medicine and Science |
| Item ID: |
81209 |
| Depositing User: |
Hunt, Rebecca
|
| Date Deposited: |
24 Jul 2025 04:40 |
| Last Modified: |
24 Jul 2025 04:40 |
| URI: |
https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/id/eprint/81209 |
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