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Identifying Suitable Detection Dogs

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Identifying Suitable Detection Dogs Accepted Manuscript Title: Identifying suitable detection dogs Authors: La Toya J. Jamieson, Greg S. Baxter, Peter J. Murray PII: S0168-1591(17)30187-9 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/doi:10.1016/j.applanim.2017.06.010 Reference: APPLAN 4481 To appear in: APPLAN Received date: 27-2-2017 Revised date: 14-6-2017 Accepted date: 15-6-2017 Please cite this article as: Jamieson, La Toya J., Baxter, Greg S., Murray, Peter J., Identifying suitable detection dogs.Applied Animal Behaviour Science http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2017.06.010 This is a PDF file of an unedited manuscript that has been accepted for publication. As a service to our customers we are providing this early version of the manuscript. The manuscript will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and review of the resulting proof before it is published in its final form. Please note that during the production process errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain. Identifying suitable detection dogs La Toya J. Jamieson Greg S. Baxter Peter J. Murray Affiliation for all authors: The University of Queensland, School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, Gatton campus 4343, Australia. Authors’ e-mail addresses (in order as above): [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Corresponding author’s contact details: La Toya Jamieson Phone: +61404 495 423 E-mail: [email protected] Address: Wildlife Science Unit, Faculty of Science The University of Queensland, Gatton Campus Gatton, Queensland 4343 Australia Highlights Knowledge of favourable detection dog characteristics may improve working dog selection. Commonly utilised dog breeds may not produce the most suitable detection dog. Due to individual variation, a dog should not be solely chosen based on their breed. Abstract Domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) are versatile resources for humans due to a number of their physical and behavioural characteristics. Because of dogs’ olfactory acuity they have been used to detect cryptic or concealed items such as narcotics, explosives and wildlife. However, there is a wide variation in performance. This variation is often not correlated with their breed and has not been rigorously tested. Little research has compared dog breeds for their suitability as detection dogs, and even fewer studies have concluded which characteristics should be selected. This is important considering the number of dogs produced for detection work. This paper has collated the scientific literature to present important behavioural and physical traits, and traits which should be avoided, in detection dogs. The important traits include: highly play motivated; high level of cooperativeness with their handler; boldness; obedience yet independence when off-leash; and high athleticism. Although wildlife detection dogs are this paper’s focus, these proposed traits are relevant in any detection field. Keywords: Detection dogs, dog breeds, breed variation, working performance. 1.0 Introduction Behavioural and performance differences between breeds of dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) can be a controversial topic (Fadel et al., 2016). Behavioural differences between breeds are often inappropriately generalised, however, they are a distinct group of genetic units (Ostrander and Wayne, 2005; Clarke et al., 2013). Whilst it has been emphasised that each breed has specific behavioural characteristics, studies highlight the variation amongst individuals within breeds (Mehrkam and Wynne, 2014). This variability is likely a result of the change in dog breeding priorities, from breeding for abilities to breeding for appearance (Mirkó et al., 2012). Domestic dogs have traditionally been utilised by humans due to their ability to perform specific working roles, including guarding, hunting, herding and detection (Rooney and Bradshaw, 2004; Serpell and Duffy, 2014). Dogs are a highly versatile detection tool and have been utilised in over 30 different tasks (Lorenzo et 1 al., 2003; Hall et al., 2014). As detection dogs are a modern phenomenon no dog has been bred solely for this purpose (Rooney and Bradshaw, 2004). Both physical and behavioural traits are important when selecting working dogs (Coppinger and Coppinger, 2001; McGarrity et al., 2016). The variation between dogs’ working performances can be attributed to behavioural differences, emphasising the importance of selecting a dog that is physically capable and behaviourally suited to detection work (Slabbert and Odendaal, 1999; Svartberg and Forkman, 2002; Rooney et al., 2007; Sinn et al., 2010). When selecting a detection dog certain behavioural and physical characteristics are typically desired. This has resulted in certain breeds being favoured for detection work. The current lack of breed comparative studies and the variation within each breed provides a challenge when selecting a suitable detection dog (Rooney and Bradshaw, 2004; Jezierski et al., 2014). If only individuals from one or two breeds are evaluated for their working potential, as is common in Military working dog programs (Moore et al., 2001; Sinn et al., 2010), this may restrict the detection program’s success. Breeders are not always aware of important characteristics of successful detection dogs, due to poor communication with the dog-handlers (Rocznik et al., 2015). Once a working program is established and traditions are formed, there is often minimal feedback received from the dog-handlers in relation to choosing breeding dogs (Rocznik et al., 2015). To maximise the efficiency of identifying suitable detection dog candidates, important physical and behavioural traits for specific detection tasks must be determined. Wildlife detection dogs are a unique category of detection dogs trained to locate wildlife scats, carcasses or live animals (Hurt and Smith, 2009). Whilst Beebe et al. (2016) have proposed certain important wildlife detection dog traits, commonly used dog breeds and their suitability for detection work has not been discussed. Irrespective of the breed selected, a dog’s temperament should always be gauged prior to choosing it for detection work (Graham and Gosling, 2009; McGarrity et al., 2016). Characteristics of the most suitable individual for detection work, with a focus on wildlife detection, will be explored here. Depending on dog breeders’ genetic selection criteria, breeds which were 2 typically chosen for traditional traits and functions (e.g. tracking) may no longer possess such qualities (Adamkiewicz et al., 2013). Continually selecting the same dog breeds, without inspecting other breeds, may reduce the effectiveness of detection dog programs. This review will discuss the physical and behavioural characteristics of a suitable detection dog; commonly used dog breeds for detection, and the variation within these breeds. 2.0 Detection dog traits 2.1 Ideal detection dog traits Most detection dogs to date have been herding, hunting or sporting breeds (Brownell and Marsolais, 2002). A detection dog should be athletic and trainable, to ensure the dog is physically capable of completing the work, whilst also having desirable motivations (Brownell and Marsolais, 2002). Differences between dog breed physical characteristics undoubtedly influence their skills and capabilities (Coppinger and Coppinger, 2001). Behavioural traits have also been investigated to improve animal welfare, and dog training and management (Svartberg, 2002; Clarke et al., 2013; McGarrity et al., 2016). There are multiple physical and behavioural traits which are important for detection dogs to possess. Choosing dogs with the following traits, gleaned from the literature, should increase both the dog’s suitability for detection work and their working performance. Speed is important in any working dog field, ensuring working efficiency (Helton, 2010). Detection dogs should work quickly, whilst not missing the intended targets nor exhausting themselves prematurely (Jezierski et al., 2014). In difficult terrain detection dogs should be agile, with exceptional stamina, allowing them to traverse the terrain (Rebmann et al., 2000; Hurt and Smith, 2009). Medium-built dogs with suitably long legs are preferable, which is also beneficial if the dog becomes injured and needs to be carried (Hurt and Smith, 2009). Medium-built dogs, with shorter coats, can also be advantageous for heat tolerance (Chesney, 1997; Hurt and Smith, 2009). Large dog breeds retain too much body heat and small dog breeds retain too little (Coppinger and Coppinger, 2001). Heat-tolerant dogs are able to work more efficiently with fewer breaks, without the risk of overheating, which is not only detrimental to the dog’s working performance but can be fatal (Hurt 3 and Smith, 2009). The choice of a dog’s build and size is therefore a reflection of the dog’s working environment (Rebmann et al., 2000). In the following sections the term ‘drive’ and its importance in relation to detection dogs will be discussed. A dog’s drive is their impulse or motivation to perform a behaviour or action (Brownell and Marsolais, 2002). This concept is not current in behavioural science; however, it is widely and currently used in working dog science (Beebe et al., 2016; Minhinnick et al., 2016). Due to its importance in working dog science, the term ‘drive’ will be used. It should be highlighted that a dog’s ‘drive’ or motivation can be influenced by external factors (e.g. environmental), and therefore can be modified over time. Detection dog handlers typically select working
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