Life expectancy and obedience

11augustus2010
Source: nu.nl
Canadian scientists compared personality traits of different dog breeds with data on the life expectancy of these breeds. It appeared that 'obedient' breeds live longer than breeds that are more difficult to train.
The personality traits were taken from earlier scientific studies. Examples of obedient dogs are German shepherds and poodles. More difficult breeds are beagles and pomeranians. It was taken into account that big dogs generally have a shorter live expectancy than smaller ones.
The analysis of the Canadians showed that dogs with a strong territorial drive use more calories than obedient dogs. This may explain their shorter life expectancy. According to the lead researcher the connection between a dog’s personality, its life expectancy and its calorie use has been scientifically determined.
It is thought that in the course of history different dog breeds have been bred mainly on the basis of their personality traits. But the genes that are responsible for certain personality traits may have also had an influence on the life expectancy and the calorie use of the animals.

The results of this study were published in the scientific journal The American Naturalist.