[pt] O objetivo do presente trabalho é analisar o desempenho da estratégia de investimento Dogs of Dow (DoD) nos mercados latinos americanos no período de 1995 a 2011 bem como determinar se tal desempenho é discrepante em momentos de crise e crescimento econômico. Foram analisados os seguintes mercados: Argentina, Brasil, Chile, Colômbia, México e Peru. Os resultados demonstram que a estratégia DoD possuiu um desempenho superior ao mercado, antes e após ajustar ao risco, em todos os países à exceção do México no período analisado. Os resultados são significativos do ponto de vista estatístico como econômico. Em geral, o desempenho nos sub-períodos apresentou-se em linha com o desempenho no período todo, indicando que, tanto em momentos de crise como de crescimento, as estratégias DoD tem retorno superior ao mercado. / [en] The goal of this study is to analyze the performance of the Dogs of Dow (DoD) investment strategy in Latin American stock markets from 1995 to 2011 and also determine if the performance varies on growth and recession periods. The following countries were analyzed: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru. Our findings suggest that the DoD outperforms the market, on an absolute and on a risk-adjusted basis, in all Latin American countries except Mexico. The results are significant in both statistical and economic terms. In general, the performance of DoD in different sub-periods is in line with the overall period, indicating that the DoD has a superior performance in both growth and recession periods.

<p>Much of the demand for purebred dogs in the USA is met by commercial breeding kennels (CBKs). In CBKs, adult dogs have been reported to exhibit signs of fear towards strangers. Social fear is a particular welfare concern as it may lead to acute and chronic stress in the kennel, and later, after dogs are retired and rehomed. Studies on pet and shelter dogs have shown that the type of attachment style dogs have with their caretakers is associated with their social behavior towards strangers. Thus, the aims of this study were to characterize the attachment styles of dogs from CBKs to their caretakers, and investigate relationships between the types of attachment styles observed and social fear behaviors in this population of dogs. Forty-eight adult dogs were tested from three CBKs in Indiana, USA. Each dog was subjected to a standard battery of tests, including a Secure Base test to classify attachment styles, a Stranger Arena test to measure the duration and frequency of key social behaviors toward a stranger, and a Paired-Effect test to measure the duration and frequency of social behaviors towards a stranger in the presence of a caretaker. Twenty (41.67%) dogs were classified as secure, 16 (33.33%) as insecure ambivalent, 9 (18.75%) as insecure avoidant, and 3 (6.25%) as insecure disorganized. ANOVA tests showed that secure and ambivalent dogs approached the stranger more frequently (F2,45 = 11.865, <em>p </em>< 0.001), spent more time in close proximity (F2,45 = 15.968, <em>p </em>< 0.001), and solicited contact more frequently (F2,45 = 4.58, <em>p </em>= 0.023) from them than did avoidant dogs. Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Tests showed that secure, ambivalent, and avoidant dogs all initially approached the stranger more quickly in the paired-effect test than in the stranger arena test (<em>p </em>< 0.05). Secure and ambivalent dogs also spent more time in proximity to (<em>p </em>< 0.001) and solicited more contact from (<em>p </em>< 0.01) the stranger in the paired-effect test than in the stranger arena test. These results suggest that there is an association between type of attachment style and fear behaviors towards a stranger in this sample of dogs. Understanding connections between attachment style and social fear, and their implications for stress and welfare in dogs from CBKs may help inform breeders’ selection criteria and breeding decisions. It may also inform breeders’ socialization, social interactions, and related management practices, which in turn may help to reduce dogs’ social fear and enhance their long- term welfare outcomes in the kennel. This understanding may also aid rehoming efforts. With this increased understanding, breeders could inform new owners about behaviors they can expect from their dogs which may help avoid a potential mismatch in expectations. This in turn may help keep dogs in their homes and improve their welfare in the long-term. </p>

Background: Animal Assisted Therapy has increased within occupational therapy.Occupational threapists may use animals within the profession, but the description of how these occupational therapy interventions are conducted is missing.Aim:This scoping study explored how canine assisted occupational therapy is described and conducted. Material and methods: A scoping review method was applied to explore, summarize and describe canine-assisted octupational therapy practice. Six databases and manual search of identified literature utilized search terms focusing on Animal Assisted Therapy and Occupational Therapy. Qualitative content analysis was used to identify emergent themes. Results: From 148 pappers, after duplicates removed, only four papers, representing two studies, met full inclusion/exclusion criteria, which focuced solely on autistic children. Two themes emerged: social interaction with a therapy dog, and description of activities, skills and goals in canine- assisted interventions. The second theme consisted of subthemes: social interaction and motor skills practice and practicing activities of daily living with therapy dog. Conclusion: Therapy dogs were described as acting agents to facilitate participant engagement and participating as a third member in the therapeutic process. Further research is needed to consider the extent to which CA-OT contributes to clientsachieving their therapeutic goals. Significance: This study highlights how canine- assisted therapy is described and used in occupational therapy.

Hundar anses vara det första domesticerade husdjuret men behoven för hundraser med specifika arbetsuppgifter har kraftigt förändrats. Oavsett tidigare ursprung hålls de flesta hundar idag som sällskapshundar och egenskaper som exempelvis vakt- och vallhundar uppvisar går inte alltid hand i hand med kraven på den moderna sällskapshunden. För att möta samhällets krav behöver hundarna i första hand vara trygga, lätthanterliga och lätta att träna men trots detta ligger fokus inom aveln ofta på exteriör och de ursprungliga egenskaperna kvarstår. För att möta de nya behoven blir det istället intressant att titta på andra genetiskt betingade egenskaper och i den här studien avser frågeställningen lekbeteenden och dess eventuella samband med hur väl hundar presterar på nationella lydnadsprov. Frågan undersöktes genom tre hypoteser som avser hundar som uppvisar högre poäng på Beteende- och personlighetsbeskrivning H1 ) för lek med egen leksak presterar i genomsnitt högre poäng på nationella lydnadsprov än hundar som uppvisar lägre poäng för lek med egen leksak på Beteende- och personlighetsbeskrivning, H2 ) för lek med ny leksak presterar i genomsnitt högre poäng på nationella lydnadsprov än hundar som uppvisar lägre poäng för lek med ny leksak på Beteende- och personlighetsbeskrivning och H3 ) för dragkampsintresse presterar i genomsnitt högre poäng på nationella lydnadsprov än hundar som uppvisar lägre poäng för dragkampsintresse på Beteende- och personlighetsbeskrivning. Genom datainsamling för fyra raser; rhodesian ridgeback, dvärgschnauzer, mellanpudel och cocker spaniel avseende enskilda poäng för tre olika typer av lekbeenden under standardiserad beteende- och personlighetsbeskrivning samt medelpoäng för nationella lydnadsprov har frågan undersökts med Pearson´s korrelationstest. Resultatet visar positivt samband för H2 ) med en signifikans på 0,04 (P&lt;0,05) och en korrelationskoefficient där r = 0,21. Resultaten i den här studien stödjer delvis tidigare studier som visar att lekfullhet ger en bättre förutsättning för inlärningsförmåga och tävlingsprestation, så även på nationella lydnadsprov. Verktygen för att möta de nya behoven av en modern sällskapshund finns tillgängliga genom beteendebeskrivningar men prioriteringar i aveln måste ses över och nyttan med verktygen måste synliggöras ännu mer. Lekfullhet bör vara en parameter att ta hänsyn till i tilltänkta avelskombinationer både för att gynna populationen i stort men också för att stärka djurvälfärden på individnivå. / Dogs are considered the first domesticated animal but the need for dog breeds with specific working traits has changed dramatically. Regardless of their previous origins, most dogs today are kept as pure companion dogs and hereditary characteristics such as for guarding or herding do not always match with the requirements of the modern companion dog. In order to meet society's demands, the dogs should be safe, easy to handle and easy to train. Despite this, the focus in breeding is often on the appearance and the original behavioural characteristics have remained. In order to meet the new requirements, we need to look at other genetically determined characteristics such as play behavioural and personality. In this study the question concerns specifically play behavior and whether there is a positive correlation between playfulness and how well dogs perform in national obedience tests. The question is investigated through three hypotheses concerning dogs that exhibit higher scores for 1 ) play with their own toy 2 ) play with a new toy 3) tug of war interest. Data was collected from a national database for four breeds, rhodesian ridgebacks, miniature schnauzers, medium sized poodles and cocker spaniels. Individual scores for three different types of play behaviour under standardized Behaviour and Personality Assessment were correlated with average scores for national obedience tests, using Pearson's correlation tests. The result showed there was a significant positive correlation (r=0,21, P&lt;0,05) between playing with a new toy and obedience. Playing with their own toy and tug-of-war was not significantly correlated with obedience. The results of this study thus partially support previous studies that characteristics such as playfulness provide better conditions for learning ability and performance on national obedience tests. The tools to meet the new requirements of a modern companion dog are available through Behaviour and Personality Assessment but priorities in breeding must be reviewed and the utility of the tools must be made even more visible. Playfulness should be a characteristic to take into account when considering a breeding combination, both to benefit the population and the society at large but also to strengthen animal welfare on an individual level.

Dog ownership is highly common in the United States and has a large impact on the U.S. economy due to dogs' required expenses. Thus, it is important to assess dog owners' method of dog obtainment, as it is the first step to canine companionship. Dog owner personality traits and their relationship with where dogs are obtained has not yet been studied. To assess this relationship, we reached current dog owners through an online survey containing the Donnellan et al. (2006) Mini-International Personality Item Pool (IPIP) scale and asked participants where they obtained their dog. Results indicated 90% of participants were female (N = 411); consequently, we limited our analysis to only female dog owners. Female dog owners' personality scores were related to their dog obtainment location (i.e., Breeder, Pet Store or Online, Rescue or Shelter, and Informal). Female dog owners who obtained their dog from a Rescue or Shelter had significantly higher scores of Agreeableness than female dog owners who obtained their dog from a Breeder. Female dog owners who obtained their dog from a Breeder had significantly higher scores of Conscientiousness than those who obtained their dog Informally or from a Rescue or Shelter. Additional exploratory Likert scale questions were posed to participants, asking why they chose their obtainment location and why they chose their dog specifically. Our study revealed there is a relationship between dog owner personality and method of dog obtainment. This information is useful for rescues and shelters looking to increase adoption because they can develop methods to attract less Agreeable and highly Conscientious women. We hope our findings can make future and current dog owners aware of how their personality relates to their choice of dog obtainment location and that they will take all methods of dog obtainment into consideration.

Background: Numerous studies have found that there are many health-related benefits to owning a dog, however, this has not been investigated in a high dense Asian environment where the culture is very different to Western countries. Objectives: This study aimed at investigating 1) if dog-owners are more active than those who do not own a dog; 2) if dog-owners have higher perceived physical and mental health status compared to a sample of the population who do not own a dog; 3) are there social/environmental factors measured by the Dogs-and-Physical Activity (DAPA) tool that are associated with the perceived physical and mental health as well as physical activity (PA) habits of dog owners. Methods: A total of 102 Chinese dog-owners resident in Hong Kong were recruited to examine what factors might affect dog-owners to walk their dog regularly and hence likely to take part in more daily PA. All of these dog-owners were invited to complete a questionnaire that combined the DAPA-tool, Short-Form-12 health survey (SF-12), and the International-Physical-Activity-Questionnaire – short (IPAQ-short) and to wear an accelerometer for a week. Of the 102 recruited dog-owners, 52 had analysable SF-12 and accelerometry data that could be compared with similar data from 47 HK Chinese who did not own dogs. Linear regression was used to analyse differences between dog-owners and non-dog-owners and to examine social/environmental factors that contributed to physical component score (PCS) and mental component score (MCS) and accrued PA of the dog-owners; their living status, gender, age, Body Mass Index (BMI), income, education level and work status were adjusted during the analysis. Result: Compared to those without dogs, dog-owners were found to have higher PCS scores (P<0.001), involved in more moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA, P=0.02) and overall PA (OVPA, P<0.001) as measured by objective accelerometry; while no significant differences were seen in MCS, nor MVPA or OVPA as measured by the self-reported IPAQ. “Owning a dog adds to my happiness” was associated with having higher PCS (P=0.04); whilst “Trees and shrubs for dogs to sniff” (P=0.02), “Sitting areas with benches” (P=0.06) and “My enjoyment of being outdoors” (P=0.01) were positively related to MVPA as measured by IPAQ, whilst “My dog would be unfriendly or difficult to control” (P=0.02) was negatively related to IPAQ MVPA. Furthermore, “Signs to say if dogs are permitted” (P=0.03), “Trees and shrubs for dogs to sniff” (P=0.02), “The fact that I feel safe when walking with my dog” (P=0.02) and “It would keep my dog healthy” (P=0.04) were found to be positively related to OVPA as measure by IPAQ, whilst “My family commitments” (P=0.03) and “It would stop me feeling guilty” (P=0.03) were found to be negative related to IPAQ OVPA. No variables were significantly related to MCS among the dog-owners. Conclusion: Dog-ownership is associated with Hong Kong owners having a more active lifestyle and is related to higher perceived physical, but not mental health. A small number of social and physical factors appear important in providing a supportive environment that can help enhance the health benefits of dog-ownership. / published_or_final_version / Human Performance / Master / Master of Philosophy

Tikslas: išanalizuoti įvairių veiksnių įtaką šunų babeziozės pasireiškimui, plitimui, atsižvelgiant į šuns lytį, amžių ir veislę, naudojant literatūros šaltinius bei asmeninius tyrimus. Duomenys buvo surinkti iš " Jakovo veterinarijos centras", smulkių gyvūnų klinikos "Pas Filą " ir kraujo tyrimai buvo renkami ir atliekami Veterinarijos ir diagnostikos centre. Iš viso surinkome 1195 ligos atvejų, atsižvelgiant į lytį, amžių bei veislę. Anamnezė buvo surinkta iš 117 šunų, kraujo mėginiai buvo imami iš 31 sergančio šuns, kraujo morfologiniams tyrimams. Išanalizavus esamus duomenis, pastebėjome, kad dažniausiai babezioze serga tam tikros šunų veislės: mišrūnai, vokiečių aviganiai, labradoro retriveriai ir sibiro haskiai. Atsižvelgiant į lytį, tai daugiausiai babezioze sirgo patinai ir žymiai rečiau patelės. Babezeliozė dažniausiai buvo diagnozuojama jauniems šunims, 1 iki 2 metų, bet sunkiausia klinika buvo pasireiškusi šuniukams iki 1 metų. Dažniausiai pasireiškianti klinikinė simptomatika: apatija, anoreksija, kliniškai išreikšta anemija, pakitusi kūno temperatūra, tamsus šlapimas, vėmimas, NS sutrikimai, viduriavimas, kliniškai išreikšta gelta. Analizuojant morfologinius kraujo rodiklių pokyčius, nustatėmė, kad visais atvejais buvo pasireiškusi trombocitopenija, sumažėjęs trombokrito kiekis. Pastebėjome, kad ligai būdingas sezoniškumas. Stipriausias babeziozės bumas pasireiškia pavasarį – balandžio, gegužės, birželio mėnesiais ir kiek silpnesnis – rudenį (rugsėjį, spalį). ... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / Goal: to find out a variety of factors influence the occurrence of canine babesiosis, development, according to dog sex, age and breed, using known literature and personal research. The data were collected from „Jakovo veterinary center“, small animal clinic „pas Filą“ and the blood tests were collected and conducted at Veterinaty and Diagnostic center. We collected 1195 disease cases according to sex, age and breed. Anamnesis were collected from 117 dogs, morphological studies of blood – 31. According to the studies, we found out, that there are certain breeds are more susceptible to babesiosis: mongrels, german shepherds, labrador retrievers and siberian huskies. Also found, that babesiosis more prone males than females. Dog babesiosis were usually diagnosed in young dogs, 1 to 2 years, but the hardest clinic gets puppies up to 1 year. The most frequent clinical manifestations in patients with babesiosis : apathy, anorexia, symptomatic anemia, change in body temperature, dark urine, vomiting, NS disorders, diarrhea, clinical jaundice. Morphological characteristics of the blood we found that in all cases, is characterized by thrombocytopenia, a decrease thrombocyte. The seasonal variation in the number of cases has been reported at all Veterinary clinics, with a higher incidence in the spring months (April, May) and peaking in autumn (September, November).

The purpose of this diploma work is to introduce zootherapy and therapy dog and to determine the possibilities of employing therapy dogs in education of children in elementary and special schools. The theoretical part of the thesis deals with the description of zootherapy, its forms and methods. It also deals with preparation and exams for therapists. Lastly there is a section on therapy dogs, their personality and preparation for this field of work. You can also find some information on how to choose the best puppy using the puppy aptitude test. The practical part of this thesis deals with the employment of animal assisted therapy at normal and speial schools. The results had been achieved through interviews that I had made with therapists who use dogs at schools and also through obseration during those classes.

Afin de documenter la relation Homme-environnement dans le nord du Labrador, des études paléoenvironnementales et paléoécologiques ont été entreprises sur les sites archéologiques Oakes Bay 1, situé à Dog Island, et Koliktalik 6, situé sur l'île Koliktalik et dans leurs environs. Quatorze terrasses marines étagées ont été identifiées à la baie Oakes dont la plus ancienne, Tl aurait été édifiée vers 9000 ans BP alors que la plus récente, T14, aurait émergé vers 2000 ans BP. Les données sporopolliniques mettent en évidence trois périodes de développement du couvert végétal à partir de 5700 ans étal. BP : 1) une toundra arbustive, 2) une transition d'une toundra arbustive vers une toundra forestière, 3) une ouverture du couvert végétal. Les données macrofossiles en provenance de la tourbe échantillonnée à la surface des terrasses paludifiées révèlent qu'il y a eu exploitation intensive de la forêt et de la tourbe par les Thuléens et les Inuit afin de construire et chauffer leurs habitations.

Cortisol is a stress hormone which is released from the adrenals in the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis and plays a major role in animal stress response. Cortisol is used as a stress marker and can be sampled using different methods. A good non-invasive method and a good measure of chronic stress is to measure cortisol through hair. Cortisol is stored in hair for months and therefore reflects chronic stress. The aim of this study was to investigate if cortisol concentration differs depending on coat color. Hair samples from 20 black and white Border collie dogs was analysed and used in this study. Cortisol was extracted with methanol and analysed with ELISA. The results showed no significant difference between black and white coat color within the population while there were individual differences. The results also showed that the sexes do not affect the cortisol concentration. In summary, coat color (black and white) has an effect on cortisol concentration which means that the factor color does need to be taken into account when measuring cortisol through hair.