Tips on Choosing a Dog: Interview with Professor James Serpell

What’s important to look out for when choosing a dog?

I interviewed Professor James Serpell, BSc, PhD to answer that question.  Professor Serpell is the Marie A. Moore Professor of Ethics and Animal Welfare, and Director, Center for the Interaction of Animals and Society., at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine.

He has conducted many studies to uncover important aspects of the relationship between people and dogs, including setting up C-BARQ – an online survey gathering information about breed differences in the behaviour of dogs, and editing the book “The Domestic Dog: Its evolution, behaviour and interactions with people”.

Before you go out there and choose a dog, first do a bit of thinking warns the Professor.  It’s a big decision and not one to take lightly.  Definitely avoid buying on impulse and if that sounds like you, stay away from pet stores and animal shelters until you’ve done your homework.

Should you go for a dog or a puppy?

In Professor Serpell’s opinion, when choosing a dog, puppies are a better choice than mature dogs for most people, especially if you’ve never owned a dog of your own before.

Where should you source your puppy from?

He recommends that they be sourced from “reputable breeders”.  And what makes such a breeder?  Firstly, someone who is passionate about their breed.  And secondly, a breeder who is not inbreeding or line breeding.

What about your local pet store?  Professor Serpell’s own studies have shown that puppies sourced from pet stores and commercial breeders (often sadly the same thing) have a much greater risk of developing phobias and anxiety as adults.  Such puppies are often borne in cramped, traumatic conditions to a stressed-out mum, only to be shipped out much too young to a pet store.  On the way they are frequently batched with other pups exposing them to disease, and left alone in small cages for long periods.  Such rearing actually turns on genes that cause the dog to be adapted to stress as normal, so that they turn into hyper-vigilant, phobic dogs.

The household environment puppies are adopted into also makes a massive difference to how they turn out.  Early, positive socialisation (or lack thereof) is the most critical factor.

How important is it to choose the right breed? 

You might think that breed selection is the most important aspect of choosing the right dog, but the research doesn’t back that up.  To answer this question once and for all, James developed the online dog owner survey C-BARQ that allows owners to report the behaviour of their dogs.  Analysis of thousands of entries revealed that when it comes to choosing a dog, breed differences in behaviour are not as significant as you might think.  In fact, there was just as much variation in temperament between dogs within the same breed as there was between the different breeds.  This was true even of the most “off the scale” aggressive dog breed (no, it wasn’t Pit Bulls) – most of them were nice, placid dogs.  As a Miniature Schnauzer breeder since 1992 I have to agree:  It’s common to get puppies with vastly different personalities, even within the same litter.

However, there are a few things that are pretty characteristic of certain breeds.  One of them is energy level.  Working dog breeds in particular have a strong need for exercise and work, and if they don’t get it may invent their own, often destructive, activities.

Breed health issues are pretty important though.  Kennel club breed standards are in Professor Serpell’s opinion ruining the fundamental physical health of many breeds.  The snout of British Bulldogs and Pugs – for example – has been progressively shortened by selective breeding to the point where the “best of breed” individuals can hardly breathe any more.  Other common breeder practices such as line breeding and the over-use of popular sires is further contributing to the steady decline in health of many purebreds.  Something definitely needs to change says Serpell.

What about shelter dogs?

Many have behavioural problems that lead them to being given up by their owners in the first place, either directly or indirectly when owning them limits accommodation choices for example.  Such dogs have often had a poor start with inadequate socialisation and training.  Though they will often blossom with the right owner, they’re better left to people who’ve owned dogs before and are prepared to put in whatever work is necessary.  Also best to be cautious if you have small children or animals at home as it’s not easy to spot territorial aggression until after you get a shelter dog home.  Ask for a trial and be prepared for it not to work out just in case, he advises.

And which is better?  Passive or active dog training methods?

The training method should suit the dog’s personality.  Punishment should never be used with fearful dogs for example – they respond best to positive reinforcement only.  More robust temperament types however might do better with reward balanced with firmly upheld rules and boundaries.  And like most things, the middle way between totally passive and totally active training methods is probably best.

What benefits can you expect from dog ownership?

Dogs fulfill all kinds of needs for their owners.  However, the most valuable one turns out to be social support.  Dogs provide companionship, unconditional love, and someone to cuddle and exercise with.  They give kids someone to be at home with after school.  And studies have shown dogs are especially important for only or youngest children in the family, taking on the role of “younger sibling” – someone to care and look out for – that is good for the psychological health of our kids.

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