Cited by 111Animal Behavior and Welfare StudiesHuman-Animal Interaction StudiesVeterinary Orthopedics and Neurology

An Audit of Behavioral Indicators of Poor Welfare in Kenneled Dogs in the United Kingdom

Stephen, Jacqueline M., Ledger, Rebecca A.·2005·Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science

Abstract

This survey-based study describes the prevalence and onset of behavioral indicators of poor welfare in dogs kenneled at United Kingdom rescue shelters. It describes key factors contributing to individual variation in behaviors. At 8 rescue shelters, staff trained in the care of nonhuman animals recorded daily whether dogs in their care displayed each of 15 behaviors. The study originally involved 302 dogs; for the first 14 days, it monitored only 148 dogs daily. The study observed dogs for a maximum of 6 weeks from admittance, observing all 15 behaviors at least once during the first 2 weeks (n = 148). The proportion of dogs observed to perform each behavior differed within the sample. The most commonly observed behavior (24.3% of dogs) was excessive barking. The remaining 14 behaviors ranged from listlessness (20.3%) to repetitive tail-chasing (1.3%). Over the 6 weeks, the proportion observed to pace repetitively and wall bounce increased. The proportion who lacked appetite and displayed fear-associated behavior decreased. Breed differences, gender, and age partially explained variability in the onset and prevalence of behavioral indicators of poor welfare in kenneled dogs.

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Crossref · 10.1207/s15327604jaws0802_1

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  • Chronic stress-related behaviours, including increased aggression, excitement, uncertainty, paw lifting, vocalizations, repetitive behaviours, circling, self-licking, panting, and holding the head up during rest, may manifest over time in shelter dogs.

    “Chronic stress-related behaviours, including increased aggression, excitement, uncertainty, paw lifting, vocalizations, repetitive behaviours, circling, self-licking, panting, and holding the head up during rest, may manifest over time [177,178,179,180].”

    From Ethical Concerns about Fashionable Dog Breeding (2024) · cites this paper as [180]

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Authors
Stephen, J. M., & Ledger, R. A.
Affiliations
Brunel University of London (GB)
Venue
Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science
Published
2005-04
Volume
8
Issue
2
Pages
79-95
ISSN
  • 1088-8705 (ISSN-L)
  • 1532-7604
OpenAlex
W2051821642
Cited by
111
References
41
Citations by year
2026: 7 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 11 · 2021: 11 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 9 · 2018: 8 · 2017: 6 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 11 · 2014: 4 · 2013: 6 · 2012: 1
FWCI
2.20
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Veterinary › Small Animals › Animal Behavior and Welfare Studies
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Human-Animal Interaction Studies
  • Health Sciences › Veterinary › Small Animals › Veterinary Orthopedics and Neurology
Keywords
dog welfare, kennel dogs, listlessness, pacing, appetite loss, breed differences, gender differences, age differences, individual variation in behavior, United Kingdom
MeSH terms
Animals, Animal Husbandry, Animal Welfare, Behavior, Animal, Dogs, England, Female, Male, Pedigree, Surveys and Questionnaires, Social Isolation, Incidence, Prevalence

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