Risk factors for behavior-related euthanasia among dominant-aggressive dogs: 110 cases (1989-1992)

• Published in: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association Vol. 205; no. 6; p. 855
• Main Authors: Reisner, I R, Erb, H N, Houpt, K A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 15-09-1994
• Subjects: Aggression; Animals; Behavior Therapy; Behavior, Animal; Case-Control Studies; Chi-Square Distribution; Dogs - psychology; Dominance-Subordination; Euthanasia - statistics & numerical data; Euthanasia - veterinary; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Logistic Models; Male; Prognosis; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors
• ISSN: 0003-1488
• DOI: 10.2460/javma.1994.205.06.855

Establishing a prognosis for dogs with dominance-related aggression is difficult. Some dominant-aggressive dogs respond well to treatment; others continue to be serious risks for their owners. A study was performed to identify characteristics of dominance-related aggression and to identify risk factors associated with whether the aggressive behavior led to euthanasia. Medical records of 110 dogs with dominance-related aggression were examined retrospectively; characteristics of owner-directed aggression and eventual outcome of the dogs were recorded. By means of logistic regression, 2 different models were found to describe the association between behavior characteristics and outcome. In the first model, severe aggression in response to benign dominance challenges and body weight > 18.2 kg were associated with outcome. In the second model, unpredictability of aggression and a history of being purchased were associated with outcome. We concluded that dominance-related aggressive behavior can be subclassified according to severity and type and that outcome (ie, euthanasia) may be predictable in some cases.