Associations between domestic-dog morphology and behaviour scores in the dog mentality assessment
This 2016 study by Stone et al. illustrates the persistent challenges in attempting to tie canine behavior to breed-related physical traits without rigorous, directly matched data. The authors explore potential associations between dog morphology—such as skull shape, height, and weight—and behavior, using data from the Swedish Dog Mentality Assessment (DMA) rather than owner surveys. While the use of standardized behavioral testing and registered purebred dogs avoids some common pitfalls like owner bias or misidentified breeds, the study is critically undermined by its reliance on morphological averages drawn from unrelated, unmeasured samples. Specifically, the physical characteristics used for analysis were taken from small groups of Australian show dogs or an unofficial breed website, while the behavioral data came from over 67,000 Swedish dogs tested years earlier. No actual morphological data were collected from the dogs whose behaviors were studied, making any claimed correlations between body type and behavior purely speculative. Although the authors reported links between shorter or lighter dogs and increased fearfulness or aggression, and taller or heavier dogs and sociability or boldness, the flawed methodology renders such findings questionable.
Dog behavior co-varies with height, bodyweight and skull shape
This study is included because it attempts to identify relationships between canine morphology and behavior.
Efficacy of drug detection by fully-trained police dogs varies by breed, training level, type of drug and search environment
The paper is included in the discussion because differences between breeds were found, and the methodology with regard to breed differences demonstrates how potentially confounding variables make these conclusions suspect.
Performance of Pugs, German Shepherds, and Greyhounds (Canis lupus familiaris) on an odor-discrimination task
This study measured dogs of three different breeds on an odor-discrimination task, and in doing so exposed some assumptions and biases made about breeds and their abilities.
Breed differences in canine aggression
This dog-owner survey is included because it is widely cited in discussions of canine aggression.
A canine identity crisis: Genetic breed heritage testing of shelter dogs
This paper is included because it is the largest study to date that relates shelter breed labels to canine genetics.