There are some truly remarkable dog experts out there. These are my current favorite eight (in no particular order). Though I have already interviewed some (interviews coming soon – subscribe so you don’t miss them), I would love to have coffee and a good natter with all of them. Is there anyone a cut above the rest in the dog breeding world that you think we should know about? Then please do feel free to comment below and share who they are and what you admire about them.
1. Dr Ian Dunbar
Dr. Ian Dunbar is a veterinarian, animal behaviorist, and writer. He received his doctorate in animal behavior spending ten years researching olfactory communication, the development of hierarchical social behavior, and aggression in domestic dogs.
Why would I love to have coffee with Dr Dunbar? Because he understands dogs, especially puppies. In fact, he was the first person to create and run a formal puppy preschool curriculum for new owners. And that is so very important to getting our puppies off to a great start. Another thing I like about him is his uncompromising stance on what breeders should be doing to properly prepare puppies for a successful career as someone’s pet, particularly with respect to rigorous socialisation.
His doctorate work also provided him with some know-how poorly understood by most breeders on the behavioural cues that bitches display at ovulation. If breeders had this under their belts it would help enormously in achieving successful matings.
My interview with Dr Dunbar will be shown in my next blog post, so subscribe above so you don’t miss it!
2. Dr James Serpell
Dr. James A Serpell, of the University of Pennsylvania has a bachelor’s degree in Zoology and a PhD in Animal Behavior.
He has been a leader in companion animal research since 1985. When I was researching for my book on how to choose the right dog (not yet released) I was struck by how much great work Dr Serpell had done in this area.
One study, for example, showed that pet shop puppies (frequently sourced from puppy mills) are at greater risk of long term behavioural problems.
He has also helped develop C-BARQ, an online survey instrument designed to provide dog owners and professionals with standardized evaluations of canine temperament and behavior.
I have also interviewed Dr Serpell and will put it up on the blog soon!
3. Dr Carol Beuchat
Dr Carol Beuchat has a vast research background in comparative biology and an interest in the biology of dogs. This motivated her to form the Institute of Canine Biology to bring scientists together with dog breeders and owners. Helping breeders to address the increasing number of genetic disorders in dogs is a focus of her work.
I really admire her diligent, unwavering presentation of the facts about inbreeding and linebreeding.
Through this information Dr Beuchat is helping to change the culture of dog breeders toward more sane and compassionate breeding practices that emphasize good health as the primary goal.
4. Dr Pauleen Bennett
With an Honours degree in Behavioural Science and Masters in Psychology, Dr Pauleen Bennett’s work at La Trobe University is aimed at improving the relationship between humans and their companion animals.
Dr Bennett’s influence is evident in the work of her many post graduate students who are doing great work in this important area.
Some of the research, for example, has identified what qualities in dogs are most valued by owners and how these lead to greater commitment to the relationship and a lower risk of abandonment.
She is also a dog breeder, so like me has a foot in both the academic and the practical world of rearing great dogs.
Look out for my interview with her, coming up soon on this blog.
5. Professor Paul McGreevy
Professor McGreevy, who teaches and researches at the University of Sydney, is one of only 3 Australian veterinarians to have been recognised as specialists in the field of animal behavioural science.
His work has been instrumental in helping veterinarians and breeders alike to achieve better animal welfare outcomes through improved behavioural management.
While best known for his work with horses, Professor McGreevy has also been an active proponent of making health the focus of dog breeding practices.
He has done considerable work to get breeders to recognise that perpetuating inherited disorders through practices such as inbreeding is a form of cruelty.
In his book A Modern Dog’s Life: How to Do the Best for Your Dog
Of great interest to me is his call for breeders to focus more on breeding better canine companions via switching their focus away from breeding for success in the show ring and more toward health and temperament.
6. Dr Jacqui Ley
Like Professor McGreevy, Dr Jacqui Ley is a veterinary specialist in animal behaviour. Based in Melbourne, Australia, Dr Ley presents regularly to breeders and is not afraid to challenge us to improve the way we breed dogs.
Society needs great dogs, she says, and breeders should be doing more to supply this need than we presently are. What is a great dog? According to owners its a dog that is friendly, child safe, and not aggressive, medium sized, healthy, obedient, toilet trained with a short, easy-care coat. Giving owners what they want enhances their satisfaction with their pet, strengthening commitment and reducing the risk of abandonment.
Dr Ley has identified key strategies breeders can use to breed nicer (physically and mentally healthy) pets. Only breed from dogs that are fun to live with, raise puppies in a stimulating environment with regular interaction with their mums, and keep in touch with your owners to get feedback on temperament concerns.
I also like her suggestion that breeders should strive to be more professional, pointing out that “Professionals make changes when new information suggests that they should.”
7. Cesar Millan
When he was a kid in Mexico, Cesar Millan was known as “the dog boy”. At the age of 21 he snuck into the US and started out as a dog groomer, then worked his way up to success. He now has several best selling books on dog behaviour and the internationally famous television series Dog Whisperer, under his belt.
His methods call on owners to step up to the plate and assume a role of calm, assertive leadership to their dogs. Because of this he has been widely criticized by the new wave of dog behaviourists who believe that anything but reward-based, non-coercive methods constitutes cruelty. But I am a great supporter of Millan and his methods. I think extremists in the “non-confrontational” camp take the gentle approach a bit too far, with methods more akin to bribery than training.
Millan certainly gets great results with dogs. I like his emphasis on what he calls the three primary needs of dogs – exercise, discipline and affection. Caring owners should be providing their dogs first and foremost with stimulating exercise, then clear rules and boundaries for behaviour, and lastly affection. Unfortunately though, as Millan has observed, most dog owners get it totally around the wrong way, lavishing their dogs with affection while neglecting the need for discipline and exercise.
8. Matthew Hams
I’m not a great fan of pet shop puppies but have learnt that there is always an exception to the rule and it is possible to do it well. This is exemplified by the breeders who adhere to the stringent code of the Australian Association of Pet Dog Breeders.
Matt Hams is President of the Australian Association of Pet Dog Breeders and proprietor of Banksia Park Puppies in Victoria. Like many of the members of the AAPDB, Mr Hams runs a large scale dog breeding enterprise. He also runs pet shops as the retail arm of his business.
Some would automatically label such operations “puppy mills” and in many cases, that would be accurate! However, Mr Hams and his colleagues set out to prove that puppy breeding on such a scale can be humane when done properly.
The AAPDB has created a set of welfare-oriented standards (that exceed legislative requirements) to ensure their dogs and puppies are well cared for emotionally and physically. And importantly, they also focus on supplying puppies well suited to life in modern family homes, including capitalising on the better “petability” in puppies that come from crosses of temperament-selected individuals from different breeds. These guys are raising dogs ethically on a large scale. With the attention the AAPDB gives to daily interaction and play, their dogs would probably get more attention than those of many smaller breeders.
Look out for my interview with the AAPDB committee, coming soon.
So there are my favorite doggy people. Who are yours?
You forgot dr dodds. Her research has helped many breeds with hereditary issues.
“I am a great supporter of Millan and his methods. I think extremists in the “non-confrontational” camp take the gentle approach a bit too far, with methods more akin to bribery than training.”
I used to think this too but don’t any more. Modern behavioural training is firmly rooted in science and it isn’t about bribery – it’s about building a trusting relationship with your dog.
I’ve had obedient dogs before using less positive methods. (When I trained my first Flatcoat, a ‘drop’ was taught by literally prising open the dog’s jaws!) But the first dog I trained modern methods was a revelation. I’ve never had a dog that was so engaged; so ready and so wanting to learn. She brought joy and enthusiasm to every training session. I’ve trained many since (I run a rescue) . A ‘drop’ or ‘out’ is now taught via an incredibly effective game, not from man-handling the dog, and in fact it’s quicker. . It’s the difference between the dog wanting to let go, rather than being forced to let go, and it creates a different spirit.
There are rubbish positive trainers out there but once you’ve seen how it works with a good trainer – and moreover *felt* how it works – it is really hard to go back. I very much hope you get the opportunity to explore more fully yourself.
Most of the people you name above with their feet in the behavioural camp would advocate the same (and this certainly includes Paul and James who I know personally.)