PREDICTIVE VALUE OF ACTIVITY LEVEL AND BEHAVIORAL-EVALUATION ON FUTURE DOMINANCE IN PUPPIES

In the course of a research project to define a test applicable to the selection of future companion dogs, verification of the predictive value of the behavioral puppy test proposed by Campbell was undertaken with respect to dominance in the unweaned puppy. Two questions were raised: (1) is the level of socialization at 7 weeks a reliable index of the future social tendencies? (2) Does the behavioral puppy test have a better predictive value when used with a complementary test? Thirty-nine puppies were tested at 7 weeks of age and were reevaluated at 16 weeks. An observation area with an entry box was built at the breeding kennel. Behavioral reactions and number of movements were videotaped. The behavioral evaluation test was administered as indicated by Campbell. Results show that when applied at 7 weeks of age without an additional criterion, the test has no predictive value regarding future social tendencies. In fact, the total value of the behavioral scores for social tendencies between the two age groups showed a trend toward regression from dominance to submission. However, with an additional and independant criterion, i.e. the number of movements during the test, the predictive value of the total of behavioral scores for social tendencies is higher. Significant correlations were obtained for both age groups between the number of movements and the score for each manipulation of the test and between movements and the total value of the behavioral score for social tendencies derived from the complete test.