Management and personality in Labrador Retriever dogs

• C-BARQ behavioural and management surveys for 1978 Labrador Retriever dogs were collected.
• Twelve personality traits were identified. Associations with management data were investigated.
• Working status had a large effect. Gundogs were the most trainable and had highest ‘fetching’ scores.
• Greater levels of exercise were associated with lower aggression, fear and separation anxiety.
• The effects observed are likely due to a combination of genetic strain, training and experience.

Canine personality is of keen interest to dog owners and researchers alike. The regular human contact with them makes dogs an ideal species to use in the investigation of animal personality. This study specifically focused on Labrador Retrievers, consistently one of the most popular breeds both in the UK and around the world. Using surveys completed by dog owners, data was gathered on the behaviour of the dogs, in addition to the physical characteristics and management characteristics of the dogs (n = 1978). Twelve personality traits were identified and investigated for associations with the demographic data. It was found that the working status of the dog was more commonly associated with differences in personality than other analyzed factors. Gundogs had higher scores for ‘fetching tendency’ and ‘trainability’ than Showdogs or Pets (P < 0.05). Chocolate dogs were more ‘agitated when ignored’ and showed more ‘excitability’ than black dogs, and lower ‘trainability’ and ‘noise fear’ than both yellow and black dogs (all P < 0.05). Dogs exercised for longer periods showed less aggression, less fear of humans and objects and lower separation anxiety than dogs that were not as active. The effects observed in this study may be due to the experience and training of the dogs, the work-related genetic strain of Labrador Retriever or most likely, a combination of both influences.