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Title: Dog study gives paws for thought
Source:
CNN
URL Source: http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/asiap ... ex.html?section=cnn_topstories
Published: Sep 4, 2006
Author: CNN
Post Date: 2006-09-04 11:10:47 by Zipporah
Keywords: None
Views: 92
Comments: 8
CANBERRA, Australia (AP) -- Fifteen percent of boxers are southpaws -- the dogs, not fighters -- according to the findings of an Australian study. Scientists at the University of Sydney who are conducting a three-year study into what makes a successful working dog have examined whether being left-pawed, right-pawed or ambidextrous indicates an animal's suitability for a career in law enforcement or as a guide dog for the blind. The study builds on recent research at Australia's University of New England that found a dog without a preference to use a left or right front paw, a trait known as laterality, is more likely to be upset by fireworks and thunderstorms. "Half the dogs that are selected for guide dog training don't make it and we're trying to reduce that failure rate because it is far from cheap," Paul McGreevy, an animal behavior expert at University of Sydney's Faculty of Veterinary Science, said Sunday. "Trainers appreciate that laterality could affect a dog's progress and even its success in training," he added. His research team, studying 270 dogs attempting to steady their food containers, concluded that 15 percent are left pawed, the same proportion right pawed and the rest showed no preference. There were no differences between the sample breeds: boxers, pugs, whippets and greyhounds. This surprised McGreevy, whose previous studies have found profound differences between such breeds, including that flat-faced dogs have eyesight more similar to humans than the long snout varieties. "We expected to find some evidence of breed differences in dogs because they've been bred for different jobs," McGreevy said. Science knows less about a dog's hind leg. "I'm unaware of any preference to cock one leg or the other, but everybody asks," McGreevy said.
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#1. To: Zipporah (#0)
The study builds on recent research at Australia's University of New England that found a dog without a preference to use a left or right front paw, a trait known as laterality, is more likely to be upset by fireworks and thunderstorms. How can you tell?
LOL!!!!!!! Hilarious!
#3. To: Zipporah (#2)
My pug is right-pawed. This I know because when he whines and tries to jump in my lap, he always uses his right paw. As for the food containers, he doesn't steady it. He stomps through it and usually falls face-first into it as he tries to swallow his food whole.
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/LatestScientists at the University of Sydney who are conducting a three-year study into what makes a successful working dog have examined whether being left-pawed, right-pawed or ambidextrous indicates an animal's suitability for a career in law enforcement or as a guide dog for the blind.
#2. To: robin (#1)
Replies to Comment # 2. His research team, studying 270 dogs attempting to steady their food containers,
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