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4. Wire-haired fox terriers, wich attack small game and are highly 

 aggressive. 5. Shetland sheepdogs, which are highly intelligent 

 and have the ability to learn sheep-herding. 



The puppies of the varions breeds are all raised most carefully 

 in the same general environment. In the case of the cockers and 

 basenjis, the maternal environment has been kept the same by back- 

 crossing to mothers of each pure strain. The studies on dogs was 

 commenced in 1945 and at the time of this report 470 dogs have 

 been used. 



The difference in strenght of traits between dogs is thought to 

 be the result of selection. Traits are common to all dogs but cer- 

 tain dogs have a trait more highly developed than other dogs, and 

 can therefore be more easily trained in that trait. The dog is se- 

 lected for training whose developed trait is desirable in a given si- 

 tuation. The results of such selection are seen in the following 

 example : the cocker has an inate trait of sitting or crouching. 

 When, as puppies, they are put on a scales for weighing, 80 % will 

 learn to sit quietly with the minimum of training. The basenji 

 has the habit of standing and only 12 % learn to sit in the same 

 period of training. We have here two traits, degrees of quietness 

 and posture. During the training the two traits are organized to 

 meet the situation. Evidently both heredity and environment play 

 their parts. The role of heredity is seen at all ages, but it is less 

 apparent in young animals with their limited pattern of behavior. 



Thirty major tests, both mental and physiological, have been 

 used. All the strains show some variability and overlap. In one 

 case the variance due to mating, within breeds was greater than 

 between breeds. In most measures, however, there was a highly 

 significant breed difference. 



It might be of interest to describe a recent experiment in detail, 

 an experiment whose results came out contrary to expectation. 

 The aggressive basenjis and the friendly shepherd dogs were used. 

 Half of each breed was trained and restrained most severely, the 

 other half of each breed was petted and thoroughly spoiled. Food 

 was then placed before all the dogs and they were all punished if 

 they attempted to eat. Then all the dogs were placed in a room 

 with the food and there was no punishment. It was thought the 

 dogs of each breed that had been brought up strictly would as it 

 were have a conscience and would not eat while the spoiled dogs 

 would. The results did not turn out that way. The aggressive ba- 

 senjis ate and the friendly shephards refused the food. It was 

 evident in this experiment that breed characteristics were more im- 

 portant than training. 



In conclusion I should like to point out that there is good 

 Opportunity for students to work at the laboratory on experiments 

 in animal behavior. Anyone interested should write to D r J. P. 

 Scott, Hamilton Station, Box 847, Bar Harbor, Maine, U. S. A. 



