When many people look at a dog, they often will take a guess at the dog’s breed or breed mix and then make behavioral assumptions about that dog based on those guesses.
The assumption that all dogs who look a certain way also behave a certain way is not based in modern science.
We know what the canine genome looks like and there is substantial peer-reviewed research showing that looks, and even breed, do not equal behavior.
Dogs are complex animals influenced by many factors. Those factors include genetics and environment, among other things.
The only real way to learn about a dog’s behavior is looking at their actual, observable behavior.
When we focus on guesses and assumptions instead of actual facts, we end up with:
Our All Dogs Are Individuals infographic summarizes peer-reviewed studies about modern canine behavior science and genetics.
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Animal Farm Foundation (AFF) celebrates the bond between people and pets. Over the past two decades, we have worked with animal shelters, local governments, and other organizations throughout the country to make sure that all people and pets have a safe place in every community.
