Different breeds, different signals
Dogs of differing breeds may have different facial and body signals when communicating.
Explain this in context of both dog-to-dog communication and dog-to-human communication.
Analyse and explain common body language signals.
The ultimate objective of all creatures is to pass on our genes to the next generation. To achieve this goal, acquiring/using energy and reproduction are necessary. To succeed in this endeavour, we can do it alone or we can cooperate. The larger the group, the more complex the communication signals: from the simple dichotomy of fear and aggression (fight or flight) typical of the solitary predator to the more sophisticated systems of communication of pack hunters: for them, social self-awareness helps to fulfil the individual’s needs without killing/harming those who are necessary for his own survival and possibly his offspring.[1] Animals have learnt to communicate via their body parts, their posture and size, their hormones, their vocalisations; the aim mostly cooperation/distance decreasing or conflict avoidance/distance increasing.
Dogs can signal confidence, alertness, or threat by making themselves bigger (pushing their body weight forward, tensing their muscles, piloerection etc) or they could communicate a lack of fighting intention by making themselves smaller (flattening back their ears, cowering, and lowering their tale). The tail’s position and its stiffness or looseness degree can communicate confidence, arousal (either provocation or playing intention) or fear and anxiety. It has been suggested that dogs expressing positive emotions when looking at a stimulus will move their tail more towards the right side; a more pronounced movement towards the left indicates negative emotions.[2]
Emotions are conveyed through the movement of all body parts (facial expressions, gaze, ears, mouth position, eyes, etc); of course, body parts cannot be read in isolation, but rather as a whole and in relation to context. Considering that emotions tend to fluctuate very rapidly, the body movements will reflect this and often will express contrasting emotions: the use of a video-camera could be very helpful in catching and studying the dog’s emotional journey especially when replayed in slow-motion. [3]
Artificial breeding has at times negatively impacted successful canine intraspecies communication, in particular amongst dogs that are meant for companionship and those that are bred for working; on the one side humans seek extreme docility but often cross over to insecurity and a more fearful disposition, whilst on the other they look for self-confidence and determination which sometimes crosses over to a more aggressive disposition; I find that when these two very different conspecifics meet, the result can often be one that reverts back to the simpler fear/aggression dichotomy which is not typical of canine natural behaviour seen for example in street dogs. It is important to remind ourselves that information can be intentionally or unintentionally communicated. Some signals are beyond our control. For example, when anxious our bodies involuntarily release body odours which will elicit a response in those around us.[4] In my experience, often this can translate int aggression from the confident dog towards the more timid one.
Portuguese ethologist Roger Abrantes gives us pictures illustrating canine social and agonistic behaviour to be read in conjunction with a clever ethogram. Of course, behaviour is dynamic (not static). Therefore, all interpretations are only approximate, as pictures allow, and context related.[5]
Different breeds have specific accents linked to their morphology and anatomy and the function/job they have been genetically artificially bred to perform. Therefore, in some circumstances some of these breeds will encounter an inability to express and communicate behaviour due to their facial morphology (brachycephalic dogs, dogs with no tail or whose ears have been cut to maintain a, normally pointy, shape). In some instances, the dog has been engineered to look like a different animal entirely. This could be the case of shepherd dogs whose colour and morphology are intended to trick wolves into mistaking them as sheep.
It is widely recognized that dogs have a remarkable ability to communicate with humans and are skilled at understanding human intentions and emotions. Their evolution alongside humans for thousands of years has likely contributed to the development of their social intelligence and ability to interpret human cues: they can read body language, facial expressions, tone of voice, and gestures. They can often anticipate human actions or responses based on these cues. Their bond with humans plays a crucial role in their ability to understand and respond to human emotions like happiness, sadness, fear, or anger. Based on their intelligence and adaptability, they can be trained to perform various tasks and follow instructions effectively.
Dogs have also learned how to elicit specific responses from humans, often through whining, barking styles, or using expressive facial expressions like puppy eyes (the “inner brow raiser, a communication signal developed solely as a signal directed at humans, rather than conspecifics). These behaviors can trigger human nurturing and attention, reinforcing the dog's attempt to communicate.
While all dogs, regardless of breed, share a common ancestry and ability to communicate with humans, some breeds might have certain traits that make them better at reading and responding to human cues. For example, certain breeds were historically selected for their ability to work closely with humans, like herding or hunting dogs, which might have enhanced their social intelligence. The top of the class breed that springs to mind is obviously the Border Collie, who is excellent at picking up on human cues and responding to them with precision. This is particularly important in dog agility, where communication and its timing are crucial for success. Waiting for the dog to commit to an obstacle before indicating what comes next is a great example of understanding the Border Collie's unique communication style: a fraction of a second too early and the dog will miss the obstacle originally intended in an effort to follow the handler’s move for what comes next. Kay Lawrence is a wealth of information with regards to Border Collies’ communication and learning style. [6]
Through domestication dogs have also developed new forms of vocalisations (compared to wolves) aimed at facilitating their communication with humans. It is interesting that breeds that are closer to their wolf ancestry (Shar-pei, Chow Chow, Basenji) rarely bark (very much like wolves, who vocalise in a narrower variety of social contexts).
Of course, different breeds will have various styles of communicating amongst conspecifics and with their humans. Personality, not just breed, will play an important role. In my experience, I have observed my 6-year-old working Golden Retriever developing a new greeting sound which he uses in the morning when I come downstairs after a brief separation. It is a high pitch modulated long lasting whine with short and sharp interruptions which to me suggest an intention to solicit affiliation and a slight rage for me having overslept.
Tactile communication is equally important. It is used during agonistic interactions to impress an opponent or to maintain social bonds. Humans are a very tactile species, and they tend to assume that all dogs will appreciate being petted. Of course, the familiarity of the human to the dog will have a massive impact on the success of this petting, but generally dogs’ love for petting is overestimated; dogs tend to prefer touch in certain areas (chest or under the chin) rather than the top of the head (which is humans instinctive go to area).
Again, from personal experience, my youngest Golden Retriever is much more tactile than my older one. How can I tell? Apart from clearly enjoying being touched all over and constantly (if he could), he relishes the weekend when he is allowed upstairs on the bed and he will spend the first few minutes repeatedly dive-bombing on my poor body, with the final touch being the reinforcement for repeating the behaviour.
[1] Abrantes, Roger. Dog Language - An Encyclopaedia of Canine Behavior (pp.13 -15). Dogwise. Kindle Edition.
[2] Siniscalchi, M. et al. (2018) ‘Communication in dogs’, Animals, 8(8).
[3] Emotions are not static; they fluctuate rapidly and can be measured in micro to nanoseconds. For example, in evaluating a problem behaviour, we plot the animal’s emotions on the Emotional Assessment chart, with the aim to establish what the animal is feeling shortly before, during and after the problem behaviour is seen (the ‘after’ forms part of the Reinforcement Assessment).
Pienaar, Karin. Mood Matters: MHERA: An Innovative Assessment Approach to Animal Emotionality in the Treatment of Behaviour Problems (p. 37). Dogwise Publishing. Kindle Edition.
[4] Siniscalchi.
[5] https://rogerabrantes.wordpress.com/2012/06/29/canine-ethogram-social-and-agonistic-behavior/
[6] Laurence, K. (2023) Which brain?, Vimeo. Available at: https://vimeo.com/852081965?fbclid=IwAR1EWxtK_egk2SLnpdo-piPfpJJ84LrJNGXcbxf-ltt8wvWbpci6gUv2eIE
In this presentation, Lawrence underline the importance of truly understanding the nature of each breed and avoid the human tendency to label behaviours through a human lens.
Bibliography
Abrantes, Roger. Dog Language - An Encyclopaedia of Canine Behavior. Dogwise. Kindle Edition.
Dogueshop et al. (2012) Canine ethogram-social and agonistic behavior, Roger Abrantes. Available at: https://rogerabrantes.wordpress.com/2012/06/29/canine-ethogram-social-and-agonistic-behavior/
Laurence, K.(2023) Which brain? Vimeo. Available at: https://vimeo.com/852081965?fbclid=IwAR1EWxtK_egk2SLnpdo-piPfpJJ84LrJNGXcbxf-ltt8wvWbpci6gUv2eIE
Pienaar, K. (2023) Mood matters: Mehra: An innovative assessment approach to animal emotionality in the treatment of behaviour problems. Wenatchee, WA, USA: Dogwise Publishing, a Division of Direct Book Service, Inc.
Siniscalchi, M. et al. (2018) ‘Communication in dogs’, Animals, 8(8).
Bibliography
Abrantes, Roger. Dog Language - An Encyclopaedia of Canine Behavior. Dogwise. Kindle Edition.
Dogueshop et al. (2012) Canine ethogram-social and agonistic behavior, Roger Abrantes. Available at: https://rogerabrantes.wordpress.com/2012/06/29/canine-ethogram-social-and-agonistic-behavior/
Laurence, K.(2023) Which brain? Vimeo. Available at: https://vimeo.com/852081965?fbclid=IwAR1EWxtK_egk2SLnpdo-piPfpJJ84LrJNGXcbxf-ltt8wvWbpci6gUv2eIE
Pienaar, K. (2023) Mood matters: Mehra: An innovative assessment approach to animal emotionality in the treatment of behaviour problems. Wenatchee, WA, USA: Dogwise Publishing, a Division of Direct Book Service, Inc.
Siniscalchi, M. et al. (2018) ‘Communication in dogs’, Animals, 8(8).
[1] Abrantes, Roger. Dog Language - An Encyclopaedia of Canine Behavior (pp.13 -15). Dogwise. Kindle Edition.
[2] Siniscalchi, M. et al. (2018) ‘Communication in dogs’, Animals, 8(8).
[3] Emotions are not static; they fluctuate rapidly and can be measured in micro to nanoseconds. For example, in evaluating a problem behaviour, we plot the animal’s emotions on the Emotional Assessment chart, with the aim to establish what the animal is feeling shortly before, during and after the problem behaviour is seen (the ‘after’ forms part of the Reinforcement Assessment).
Pienaar, Karin. Mood Matters: MHERA: An Innovative Assessment Approach to Animal Emotionality in the Treatment of Behaviour Problems (p. 37). Dogwise Publishing. Kindle Edition.
[4] Siniscalchi.
[5] https://rogerabrantes.wordpress.com/2012/06/29/canine-ethogram-social-and-agonistic-behavior/
[6] Laurence, K. (2023) Which brain?, Vimeo. Available at: https://vimeo.com/852081965?fbclid=IwAR1EWxtK_egk2SLnpdo-piPfpJJ84LrJNGXcbxf-ltt8wvWbpci6gUv2eIE
In this presentation, Lawrence underline the importance of truly understanding the nature of each breed and avoid the human tendency to label behaviours through a human lens.
