Siniscalchi, Marcello

McFarlane, James R

Kauter, Kate

Quaranta, Angelo

Rogers, Lesley

2013

Cortisol levels in hair samples were examined in fourteen domestic dogs and related to the dogs' responses to different acoustic stimuli. Stimuli were playbacks of species-typical vocalizations recorded during three different situations ("disturbance", "isolation" and "play" barks) and the sounds of a thunderstorm. Hair samples were collected at 9:00 h and 17:00 h two weeks after the behavioural tests. Results showed that behavioural reactivity to playback of the various stimuli correlates with cortisol levels in hair samples collected at 9:00 h, and the same was the case for the separate measures of behaviour (i.e. hiding, running away, seeking attention from the tester, panting and lowering of the body posture). Hence, levels of cortisol in hair appear to reflect the dog's chronic state of emotional reactivity, or temperament.

Research in Veterinary Science, 94(1), p. 49-54

1532-2661

0034-5288

https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/11970

en

Elsevier Ltd

Cortisol levels in hair reflect behavioural reactivity of dogs to acoustic stimuli

Journal Article

Publication