Relationship between Dog Walking Behaviour and Owner-Dog Attachment Using the Lexington Attachment to Pets Scale

Human-dog attachment is a special relationship and has been studied from various perspectives. Attachment or social bonding has a positive effect on the psychological and physiological wellbeing of a dog owner, increasing physical health and quality of life. Attachment is idiosyncratic, induced by neuroendocrinological functions like an oxytocin increase after an interaction, but also based on subjective perceptions of the quality of bonding and relationship. Dog-owner attachment was measured in this study using the Lexington Attachment to Pets Scale in its validated German version as a tool to compare owner perception with factual movement data of their dog. The question posed was whether the perceived dog behaviour impacted on the attachment score as assessed through the LAPS. The authors could show that perceived problematical or unwanted conduct, like hunting behaviour, had a negative effect on LAPS scores whereas perceived obedient behaviour had a positive effect upon attachment. The authors found that actual walking data of the dogs were not in congruence with owner assessments. Thus, owner reports alone possibly will not be a sufficient measure of dog-human relationships and animal behaviour

More Than “Just” Walking: An Observational Study of Dog-Related Physical Activities

Dog ownership has been shown to correlate with physical activity (PA). However, knowledge about the intensities of dog-related PA (drPA) is still lacking. To investigate the duration and intensity of drPA in consideration of PA guidelines, an observational study of dog owners (DO) was conducted. For this purpose, DO were recruited in metropolitan and nonmetropolitan regions of Cologne, Germany. A total of 44 male and female DO (18–64 years) without cardiovascular or cardiopulmonary diseases participated in the study. Validated questionnaires were used to determine the PA profile and relationship of DO to their dog. Participants reported their drPA in an activity diary. Steps were determined by a pedometer. A heart rate (HR) monitor was used to analyze HR and percentage of maximum HR (HRmax) during all drPA. Overall, drPA makes up a large part of the duration of the overall PA recorded. HR and percentage of HRmax were significantly lower during dog walking (DW) than during other drPA. Nearly 90% of DW time was performed at light or very light intensity. No correlation between objectively measured PA and attachment to the dog was found. Two single case analyses show that other drPA reach high intensity levels and thus can be rated as moderate to vigorous intensity activities. The current investigation demonstrates that DW alone is insufficient to reach PA guidelines. Consequently, other drPA might have more beneficial effects than DW. In future investigations, the role of other types of drPA on PA levels needs to be taken into consideration to improve PA status in healthy populations

Food habitats of the Antillean manatees (Trichechus manatus manatus) in the Coswine Swamps (French Guiana, South America)

A study was conducted to analyse the habitat of the Antillean manatee (Trichechus manatus manatus L. 1758) in the Coswine Swamps of northwest French Guiana, South America. Water parameters were similar to those described in other studies: water depth varied from 2.5 m to more than 20 m; water temperature was between 24.5 °C and 30.3 °C and pH varied between 5.5 and 6.9. Salinity was low (0.0‰ to 1.3‰) with 86.9% of all samples taken in fresh water. No submerged aquatic vegetation was found in the study area. A botanical survey along the banks revealed that most plants seem to be potential forage for manatees. Red Mangrove is very abundant throughout the area. It is suggested, therefore, that manatees graze on the bank vegetation, where feeding traces were found, or leave the area to feed. The Coswine Swamps provide a suitable manatee habitat and are able to support a large manatee population. Food supply is sufficient, brackish and fresh water are available, and the site is free from human disturbance. Further studies should be carried out to assess the population size, travel routes and foraging patterns, as well as acquire detailed information about the other manatee habitats in French Guiana

Sexual dimorphism in postcranial skeletal shape suggests male‐biased specialization for physical competition in anthropoid primates

Sexual dimorphism often arises as a response to selection on traits that improve a male's ability to physically compete for access to mates. In primates, sexual dimorphism in body mass and canine size is more common in species with intense male–male competition. However, in addition to these traits, other musculoskeletal adaptations may improve male fighting performance. Postcranial traits that increase strength, agility, and maneuverability may also be under selection. To test the hypothesis that males, as compared to females, are more specialized for physical competition in their postcranial anatomy, we compared sex‐specific skeletal shape using a set of functional indices predicted to improve fighting performance. Across species, we found significant sexual dimorphism in a subset of these indices, indicating the presence of skeletal shape sexual dimorphism in our sample of anthropoid primates. Mean skeletal shape sexual dimorphism was positively correlated with sexual dimorphism in body size, an indicator of the intensity of male–male competition, even when controlling for both body mass and phylogenetic relatedness. These results suggest that selection on male fighting ability has played a role in the evolution of postcranial sexual dimorphism in primates

Behavioral Development of Two Captive Mother-Calf Dyads of Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the Calves’ First Year

This study investigated the development of suckling behavior, spatial relations, social behavior, and play behavior in 2 mother-calf dyads of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Each dyad was observed 4 hours weekly throughout the calves’ 1st year. The dyads differed in calves’ sex and mothers’ parity. The dyad with the primiparous female needed more time to establish suckling and swimming routines. After the 3rd month, interactions with the mother (flipper-rub, rest together, social play, and calf watches mother) were significantly more frequent in the female calf, whereas interactions with the calves’ father (swim together, rest together, and social play) were significantly more frequent in the male calf. The calves showed high rates of object play and social play. They seemed to modify their type of play according to the opportunities they were offered. A mentally stimulating object was preferred to simpler toys. The knowledge of the details of mother-calf behavior helps to develop appropriate breeding conditions that are vital for the survival and well-being of captive dolphin calves