Scotland's Rural College Management and personality in Labrador Retriever dogs

14 Canine personality is of keen interest to dog owners and researchers alike. The 15 regular human contact with them makes dogs an ideal species to use in the investigation of 16 animal personality. This study specifically focused on Labrador Retrievers, consistently one 17 of the most popular breeds both in the UK and around the world. Using surveys completed 18 by dog owners, data was gathered on the behaviour of the dogs, in addition to the physical 19 characteristics and management characteristics of the dogs (n=1978). Twelve personality 20 traits were identified and investigated for associations with the demographic data. It was 21 found that the working status of the dog was more commonly associated with differences in 22 personality than other analyzed factors. Gundogs had higher scores for ‘fetching tendency’ 23 and ‘trainability’ than Showdogs or Pets (P<0.05). Chocolate dogs were more ‘agitated 24 when ignored’ and showed more ‘excitability’ than black dogs, and lower ‘trainability’ and 25 ‘noise fear’ than both yellow and black dogs (all P<0.05). Dogs exercised for longer 26 periods showed less aggression, less fear of humans and objects and lower separation 27 anxiety than dogs that were not as active. The effects observed in this study may be due to 28 the experience and training of the dogs, the work-related genetic strain of Labrador 29 Retriever or most likely, a combination of both influences. 30 31