Publikationsdatenbank

Untersuchung zur Beurteilung der Gefährlichkeit von Hunden auf der Grundlage des Erscheinungsbildes, der Rassezugehörigkeit und visueller Signale (2001)

Art

Hochschulschrift

Autor

Nordhaus, Tania

Quelle

Berlin, 2001 — 93 Seiten

Kontakt

Institut für Tierschutz, Tierverhalten und Versuchstierkunde

Königsweg 67
14163 Berlin
+49 30 838 61146
tierschutz@vetmed.fu-berlin.de

Abstract / Zusammenfassung

In this study, we examined whether the breed of dog effects the visual recognition of canine expressions as aggressive. For this purpose, 24 pictures of dogs were shown to 175 subjects, who had three choices for answering. We used 8 different breeds which were determined in a preliminary study.The questioning venues were selected in such a way, that obtaining a crosssection of the general population could be expected. Veterinarians, mailmen/woman, and police officers were also interviewed at their place of work. This study together with the current literature demonstrated that the evaluation of canine expressions as aggresssive is decisively influenced by the breed of dog.The persons questioned recognized the breeds Doberman, Rottweiler. Dogo Argentino and American Staffordshire Terrier as aggressive significantly more often than German sheperds, Collies, Bernese Mountain Dogs, and Golden Retrievers which were categorized as friendly dogs.Differences in the evaluation of aggressiveness were found in the specially selected occupational groups. In summary, it can be said that an important aspect in the evaluation of canine expressions is the preconceived opinion of the evaluator with regard to the breed of the dog shown- Individual breeds were assigned specific attributes which are an important basis for the evaluation. It can also be concluded that the evaluation of aggressiveness depends on the education level or experience of the observer.Despite the statement confirmed in the literature that every dog can be made aggressive by breeding selection or special training regardless of its breed, this study demonstrated that the evaluation of aggressiveness and the expression depends on the breed.In this connection, it can be assumed that the observer already has a preconceived opinion which is based on the biased reporting of the media.