 Windsor as “resident dog.” |
 Windsor as “family dog.” |
Resident dog vs. Family Dog: What is the difference?
Today, it seems that discussions and headlines about dog bites, canine aggression and the behavior of certain dog breeds dominate our national dialogue concerning the human-canine bond.
However, all attempts to understand canine behavior through studies or statistics, and all discussions about canine aggression and breed specific behaviors are meaningless unless we recognize two distinctly different types of dogs living among us: resident dogs and family dogs.
Lumping resident dogs and family dogs together in academic studies or statistical compilations will not yield any insight into the causes and reasons for dog bites.
A Resident Dog:
Dogs maintained outside the home (on chains, in kennels or in yards) and/or dogs obtained for negative functions (guarding, fighting, protection, breeding for financial gain) are not family pets; they are resident dogs. Acknowledging the environment in which they live and the function for which they are maintained is vital to understanding their behavior and, when the situation arises, their aggression.
Resident dogs cannot be expected to exhibit the same behaviors and level of sociability as family dogs.
A Family Dog:
Family dogs live inside the home and are afforded the opportunity to learn appropriate behaviors through positive and humane interaction with people on a daily basis.
 Windsor as “resident dog.” |
 Windsor as “family dog.” |
National Canine Research Council