The Animal Welfare Science of Working Dogs: Current Perspectives on Recent Advances and Future Directions
Working dogs are prevalent throughout our societies, assisting people in diverse contexts, from explosives detection and livestock herding, to therapy partners. Our scientific exploration and understanding of animal welfare have grown dramatically over the last decade. As community attitudes toward...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2021-10-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Veterinary Science |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2021.666898/full |
| _version_ | 1819029509305794560 |
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| author | Mia L. Cobb Cynthia M. Otto Aubrey H. Fine |
| author_facet | Mia L. Cobb Cynthia M. Otto Aubrey H. Fine |
| author_sort | Mia L. Cobb |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Working dogs are prevalent throughout our societies, assisting people in diverse contexts, from explosives detection and livestock herding, to therapy partners. Our scientific exploration and understanding of animal welfare have grown dramatically over the last decade. As community attitudes toward the use of animals continue to change, applying this new knowledge of welfare to improve the everyday lives of working dogs will underpin the sustainability of working with dogs in these roles. The aim of this report was to consider the scientific studies of working dogs from the last decade (2011–2021) in relation to modern ethics, human interaction, and the five domains of animal welfare: nutrition, environment, behavioral interaction, physical health, and mental state. Using this framework, we were able to analyze the concept and contribution of working dog welfare science. Noting some key advances across the full working dog life cycle, we identify future directions and opportunities for interdisciplinary research to optimize dog welfare. Prioritizing animal welfare in research and practice will be critical to assure the ongoing relationship between dogs and people as co-workers. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-21T06:15:23Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-edfb12c346de43378f1cb07f4dfcb937 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2297-1769 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-21T06:15:23Z |
| publishDate | 2021-10-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Veterinary Science |
| spelling | doaj.art-edfb12c346de43378f1cb07f4dfcb9372022-12-21T19:13:25ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Veterinary Science2297-17692021-10-01810.3389/fvets.2021.666898666898The Animal Welfare Science of Working Dogs: Current Perspectives on Recent Advances and Future DirectionsMia L. Cobb0Cynthia M. Otto1Aubrey H. Fine2Animal Welfare Science Centre, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Science, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, AustraliaPenn Vet Working Dog Center, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United StatesCollege of Education and Integrative Studies, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, CA, United StatesWorking dogs are prevalent throughout our societies, assisting people in diverse contexts, from explosives detection and livestock herding, to therapy partners. Our scientific exploration and understanding of animal welfare have grown dramatically over the last decade. As community attitudes toward the use of animals continue to change, applying this new knowledge of welfare to improve the everyday lives of working dogs will underpin the sustainability of working with dogs in these roles. The aim of this report was to consider the scientific studies of working dogs from the last decade (2011–2021) in relation to modern ethics, human interaction, and the five domains of animal welfare: nutrition, environment, behavioral interaction, physical health, and mental state. Using this framework, we were able to analyze the concept and contribution of working dog welfare science. Noting some key advances across the full working dog life cycle, we identify future directions and opportunities for interdisciplinary research to optimize dog welfare. Prioritizing animal welfare in research and practice will be critical to assure the ongoing relationship between dogs and people as co-workers.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2021.666898/fullanimal welfaredogshuman-animal interactionsciencesustainabilityworking dogs |
| spellingShingle | Mia L. Cobb Cynthia M. Otto Aubrey H. Fine The Animal Welfare Science of Working Dogs: Current Perspectives on Recent Advances and Future Directions Frontiers in Veterinary Science animal welfare dogs human-animal interaction science sustainability working dogs |
| title | The Animal Welfare Science of Working Dogs: Current Perspectives on Recent Advances and Future Directions |
| title_full | The Animal Welfare Science of Working Dogs: Current Perspectives on Recent Advances and Future Directions |
| title_fullStr | The Animal Welfare Science of Working Dogs: Current Perspectives on Recent Advances and Future Directions |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Animal Welfare Science of Working Dogs: Current Perspectives on Recent Advances and Future Directions |
| title_short | The Animal Welfare Science of Working Dogs: Current Perspectives on Recent Advances and Future Directions |
| title_sort | animal welfare science of working dogs current perspectives on recent advances and future directions |
| topic | animal welfare dogs human-animal interaction science sustainability working dogs |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2021.666898/full |
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