La personalità del cane secondo i proprietari. Risultati di un questionario.

Personality traits are influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. From the Monash Canine Personality Questionnaire-Revised (MCPQ-R), five dimensions, Extraversion, Motivation, Amicability, Training Focus and Neuroticism, were identified. The list of 20 personality adjectives was presented to 400 Italian dog owners who rated each using a 4 point scale. The total score per dog/trait was analyzed against factors using Kruskal Wallis, Spearman Rank Correlations (SPSS; Significance at p<0.05) and Principal Component Analysis. Amicability was positevely related to Training Focus (r=0.449, P<0.01) and negatively related to Neuroticism (r=-0.251, P<0.01). Extraversion and motivation scores were significantly higher in males than in females ( P<0.01 and P<0.05 respectevely), amicability scores were significantly higher in owner aged beytween 36-65 years than in other ages (P<0.05) and nevroticism scores were significantly higher in small size dogs than medium and large size dogs (P<0.005). The results of this preliminary study suggest that personality traits depend on dog and owner carachteristics. It would be advantegeus to use these data to provide information to the owner and ensure a better match with the dog.