From birth and throughout their lives, dogs experience a variety of potentially stressful stimuli. Early neurologic stimulation (ENS) is believed to improve the ability of animals to handle stress, however its effects on dogs have not yet been fully explored. This study aimed to evaluate the effects and potential welfare implications of providing ENS to puppies in commercial breeding kennels. Seventy-six puppies, comprising two cohorts in one kennel were studied. Puppies were assigned to one of three treatment groups: ENS, held, or control, and then were marked for identification, and handled daily Monday through Saturday for 21 days, beginning on day three post-partum. ENS puppies received five “Bio Sensor” exercises (Battaglia, 2009). Puppies in the held treatment group were held for 30 seconds, which was the same length of time that was required to apply the Bio Sensor exercises to ENS treated puppies. Control puppies received identification marks daily and health assessments weekly, but otherwise were handled as normal for the breeder’s management plan. To evaluate treatment effects on physical health, all puppies received physical health assessments weekly, and additionally before and after transport to a distributor. To evaluate effects of treatment on behavioral responses to stressors, puppies were assessed shortly before and after transport (a known stressor), using three stranger approach tests and a 3-minute isolation test. Puppies were found to be generally healthy and clean throughout the study. A three-way interaction was observed between treatment, sex, and week of life, which affected puppies’ weights over the first eight weeks of life at the breeder’s kennel prior to the application of stressors (<i>p</i> = 0.006). Female ENS puppies were found to weigh more than their held and control counterparts, while for male puppies, held and control puppies weighed more than ENS puppies. A two-way interaction was observed between treatment and isolation on behavior for a single step of the multi-step stranger approach test performed at the breeder’s kennel (<i>p</i> = 0.025). While more puppies showed affiliative behavioral responses to the experimenter reaching for them after isolation than before, the change was greater in ENS and held treatment groups than controls. Treatment also directly affected the time puppies spent performing fearful behavior during the isolation test (<i>p</i> = 0.041). Handled puppies spent more time performing fearful behaviors than control puppies. No other significant effects of treatment were observed for the behavioral or physical health parameters measured. However, the finding that ENS and held-groups tended to show greater increases in the number of puppies displaying affiliative behavior than controls (though it was only significant for one step) suggests that handling treatments primed puppies to view people as a form of social support during stress. The additional finding that ENS and held group puppies spent more time performing fearful behaviors (e.g., escape attempts, low postures) during isolation than control puppies, further supports this theory. While these results do not support the purported effects of ENS, they indicate that early handling may still benefit puppies by providing them positive interactions with humans. These interactions potentially prime developing puppies to view humans as safe sources of social support, perhaps increasing their likelihood of forming secure attachments with people later in life. Further, findings from this study suggest that simply holding puppies daily for short periods may be sufficient to produce beneficial effects. Future studies should incorporate measures of recovery in response to stress testing puppies receiving ENS treatment and should consider evaluating ENS in conjunction with attachment theory to provide more information on the potential welfare effects of early handling of puppies in commercial breeding and other kennel types.

For about 14 000 years ago the domestication of the wolf, Canis lupus, began. This initiated the extensive work of breeding that resulted in man´s best friend, the dog. Its Latin name, Canis lupus familiaris, clearly shows how close they stand us people today. The Swedish Kennel Club has 343 registered breeds which are very different from each other in terms of the exterior, but also behaviourally. The behavioural differences in adult dogs of different breeds are commonly known. Something that is still in dispute is when these differences begin to manifest in the dog´s life. In this study two interview investigations were conducted with the aim to see whether distinct behavioural differences between breeds could be identified in the puppy stage. The breeds that were included in the study were American Staffordshire terrier, Border collie and Whippet. Two questionnaires were designed. One was sent to breeders because they were considered to have the most experience of the breeds in question. The other questionnaire was sent to veterinarians to get a more objective picture of the puppies’ behaviour. The results from the breeders showed that there was a statistically significant difference between the American Staffordshire terrier and Whippet puppies in their curiosity and the way they behaved socially. The outcome of the study is very interesting because it could mean that the breeding not only affects the behaviours of the adult dogs, but also the behavioural patterns of puppies. The results from the veterinarians showed that there was no difference between the breeds. The difference in results between the two groups could be due to the fact that different questions were asked, they have different preferences for the breeds, meet them in different environments, for different lengths of time or other sources of error. Further studies in this area are needed to investigate when the differences, which give dogs the title of the most varied species ethologically speaking, begin to appear.

L’identification des mutations génétiques impliquées dans les maladies rares est un prérequis pour mieux les comprendre, les traiter et accompagner les patients. Pour se faire, des modèles animaux présentant des maladies spontanées homologues aux maladies humaines sont très prometteurs. Le chien développe spontanément des maladies génétiques, rares chez l’Homme, mais fréquentes dans certaines races de chiens, ce qui simplifie les analyses génétiques. Ma thèse a porté sur deux maladies neurologiques : l’épilepsie et la neuropathie. Pour l’épilepsie, l’objectif était d’identifier des variants génétiques à partir de données de génotypage et de séquençage de génomes complets de deux races canines prédisposées. Un locus lié à la maladie a été identifié dans une race et des variants ponctuels et structuraux candidats ont été identifiés dans les deux races et sont en cours de validation par séquençage ciblé. Pour la neuropathie, l’équipe avait identifié une mutation en amont du gène GDNF, responsable d’une neuropathie sensitive chez des chiens de chasse. J’ai participé à la validation fonctionnelle de cette mutation. De plus, GDNF étant un excellent gène candidat pour les neuropathies humaines, j’ai séquencé ce gène chez 111 patients et extrait les variants de GDNF d’une base de données d’exomes et de génomes de plus de 600 patients. J’ai ainsi identifié 21 variants rares ou inconnus et les ai priorisé selon leurs impacts prédits in silico. Ces deux projets, alliant analyses génétiques, génomiques et fonctionnelles, chez l’homme et le chien, montrent le potentiel du chien pour l’identification de gènes candidats dans des maladies rares et/ou complexes chez l’Homme. / The identification of genetic mutations involved in rare diseases is a prerequisite for a better understanding, therapies and care to patients. To this aim, animal models declaring spontaneous diseases, homologous to human diseases are very promising. Dogs spontaneously develop genetic diseases, rare in humans, but frequent in some dog breeds, which simplifies the genetic analyzes. My thesis focused on two neurological diseases: epilepsy and neuropathy. For epilepsy, the goal was to identify genetic variants from genotyping data and sequencing of whole genome of dogs from two predisposed breeds. A disease-related locus has been identified in one breed and candidate point mutations and structural variants were identified in the two breeds and are being validated by targeted sequencing. For neuropathy, the team previously identified a mutation upstream of the GDNF gene, responsible for sensory neuropathy in hunting dogs. I participated to the functional validation of this mutation. In addition, GDNF being an excellent candidate gene for human neuropathies, I sequenced this gene in 111 patients and extracted GDNF variants from a database of exomes and genomes from more than 600 patients. I identified 21 rare or unknown variants and prioritized them according to their in silico predicted impacts. These two projects, combining genetics, genomics and functional analyses, in humans and dogs, show the dog's potential for identifying candidate genes in rare and / or complex diseases in humans.

Orientador: Márcio Garcia Ribeiro / Resumo: O estreitamento da relação entre tutores e animais de companhia, nas últimas décadas, aumentou consideravelmente o risco de transmissão de patógenos dos animais para os humanos. A microbiota da cavidade oral de animais de companhia é polimicrobiana e estes agentes podem potencialmente infectar humanos pelas mordeduras ou contato direto com mucosas ou feridas de pele. No entanto, são escassas as informações sobre a identificação destes micro-organismos por técnicas moleculares (microbioma, proteômica). Ainda, o perfil de sensibilidade microbiana in vitro da microbiota bacteriana bucal de cães e a etiologia dos agentes envolvidos em mordeduras em humanos não são completamente elucidados, posto que muitos cães são errantes e evadem após a agressão. Com efeito, o presente estudo investigou a presença de agentes de origem bacteriana e fúngica na cavidade oral de 100 cães hígidos por técnicas de cultivo microbiano convencional, sequenciamento genético em larga escala (microbioma) e espectrometria de massas (MALDI-TOF MS), bem como investigou o perfil de sensibilidade/resistência in vitro dos isolados. Foram identificados 213 micro-organismos de origem bacteriana e 20 de origem fúngica. Os agentes bacterianos mais prevalentes no diagnóstico microbiológico e espectrometria de massas foram Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (40/100=40%), Streptococcus α-hemolítico (37/100=37%) e Pasteurella stomatis (22/100=22%). O gênero de fungo mais prevalente foi Aspergillus (10/100=10%). Imipenem (2... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The close relationship between humans and companion animals in recent decades has strongly increased the risk of transmission of pathogens from pets-to-humans. The microbiota of the oral cavity from companion animals is polymicrobial and these agents may potentially infect humans through bites or by direct contact with mucous membranes or cutaneous lesions. Nonetheless, the identification of these microorganisms by molecular techniques (microbiome, proteomics) is scarce. Besides, the in vitro microbial susceptibility pattern of oral bacterial microbiota from dogs and the etiology of agents involved in human bites are not fully understood, since many dogs are homeless and/or evade after aggression. The present study investigated the presence of bacterial and fungal agents in the oral cavity of 100 healthy dogs based on conventional microbiological culture, large-scale DNA sequencing (microbiome), and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). In vitro antimicrobial susceptibility profile of the isolates was assessed as well. A total of 213 bacterial and 20 fungal microorganisms were identified. The most prevalent bacterial agents diagnosed by microbiological culture and mass spectrometry were Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (40/100=40%), α-hemolytic Streptococcus (37/100=37%), and Pasteurella stomatis (22/100=22%), whereas the most common genus of fungi was Aspergillus (10/100=10%). Imipenem (207/213=97.2%), ceftiofur (196/213=... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

Studiens syfte har varit att beskriva och förstå hur samvaro med hund kan bidra till att öka ungdomars välbefinnande, samhörighet och självkänsla. Studien har utgått från en etnografisk metodansats där två observationer genomförts på en hundkurs för ungdomar i en kommun i Sverige. Observationerna har kompletterats med dagboksanteckningar från ungdomarna samt intervjuer med kursinstruktörerna. Resultatet visar på att samvaro med hund kan bidra till ökad känsla av välbefinnande, samhörighet och självkänsla. Hunden kan genom sin närvaro skapa trygghet och fungera som stöd i sociala interaktioner där hunden blir ett givet samtalsämne, vilket ökar både välbefinnandet och samvaron mellan ungdomarna. När hunden och ungdomen lyckas med olika övningar tillsammans ökar ungdomens självkänsla samtidigt som hunden kan användas för att ge ungdomarna verktyg att ändra sin inställning till sig själv samt sin prestation. Utifrån resultatet har slutsatsen dragits att samvaro med hund bidrar till flertalet positiva effekter, såväl psykiskt som fysiskt. Därför anses det vara en god idé att utöka användandet av hunden i förebyggande arbete för bättre välmående. / The study aims to describe and understand how being together with a dog can help increase the well-being, fellowship and self-esteem of youths. This study has been based on an ethnographic methodology where two observations was conducted on a dog course for youths in a municipality in Sweden. The observations have been supplemented with diary notes from the youths as well as interviews with the instructors of the course. The results show that being together with a dog can contribute to an increased sense of well-being, fellowship and self-esteem. The dog can, through its presence, create security and act as support in social interactions where the dog becomes a given topic of conversation, which increases both the well-being and the fellowship between the youths. When the dog and youth succeed in various exercises together, the youth's self-esteem increases while the dog can be used to give the youths tools to change their attitude towards themselves and their performance. Based on the results, it has been concluded that coexistence with dogs contribute to many positive effects, both psychologically and physically. Therefore, it is considered a good idea to increase the use of the dog in preventive work regarding better well-being.

Studiens syfte var att undersöka om och hur pedagoger upplevde vilka effekter läshundar hade på elevers motivation för läsning i lågstadiet. Syftet var dessutom att ta reda på vilka sätt dessa pedagoger uppfattade effekterna. Läshundar ska hjälpa elever att utveckla sin läsning och bidra till elevers motivation till att läsa. Eleverna läser högt för läshunden och hunden finns där för att uppmuntra eleverna till lärande. Tidigare forskning (Friedmann, Katcher, Thomas, Lynch &amp; Messent, 1983, s. 461) visade att hundar kunde påverka människan genom att dämpa stress och ångest.Som metod tillämpades en kvalitativ intervjustudie med fyra pedagoger. Då den tidigare forskningen i Sverige var begränsad och antalet personer med koppling till läshundar var få, resulterade det i fyra deltagare i studien. Under utförandet av studien pågick även virusutbrottet Covid-19, vilket försvårade urvalet av deltagare.Med fokus på intrinsic motivation, som är en del av teorin SDT (self determination theory), (Deci, Ryan, 2000, s. 69) och läsmotivation (Bråten, 2008, s.75) applicerades två motivationsteorier för att analysera resultatet. Med hjälp av definitioner på dessa begrepp behandlades resultatet utifrån dessa teorier.Resultatet visade att pedagogerna ansåg att läshundar påverkade elevers motivation för läsning. Detta synliggjordes genom att eleverna blev engagerade, nyfikna och kände en glädje till att läsa för hunden. Pedagogerna upplevde att elevernas mående, beteende och inställning till läsning hade förbättrats. Dessutom upplevde pedagogerna att läshundenhjälpte eleverna att göra framsteg i sin läsutveckling med hjälp av deras inre motivation.Resultatet i denna studie pekar på att läshundar ökar elevers motivation för att läsa. Studien visade även att det behövs mer forskning för att göra resultatet generaliserbart. Detta på grund av att denna studie har gjorts i en begränsad omfattning. I likhet med tidigare forskning visade pedagogernas intervjusvar att det finns en tydlig uppfattning om att läshundar kan fungera som ett hjälpande verktyg i skolan.Författarna av denna uppsats ansvarar för olika delar av studien. Lina Fransson ansvarar för analysen av intervjusvaren från pedagog a och b, samt kapitel 6: Metod. Tilda Nordenholm ansvarar för analysen av intervjusvaren från pedagog c och d, samt kapitel 3: Tidigare forskning. De andra delarna av uppsatsen har författarna ett gemensamt ansvar över.

En la actualidad, todos los seres humanos utilizan dispositivos móviles. Con el pasar del tiempo, las personas utilizan los diversos servicios que éstos ofrecen. Entre sus principales atributos están las aplicaciones móviles (“Apps”) / y se han vuelto parte esencial de la vida. Por otro lado, los animales domésticos, especialmente los perros, han pasado de ser mascotas a miembros importantes en los hogares. Las familias reconocen su influencia positiva en lo psicológico y social. En el presente trabajo se busca determinar la viabilidad de un servicio que mezcla la tecnología que ofrecen los dispositivos móviles con las necesidades de los perros y a su vez de sus dueños, es decir, los paseos. Este proyecto pretende ofrecer una aplicación móvil que facilitará la conexión entre los dueños de mascotas y paseadores capacitados, seleccionando el horario, seguimiento en tiempo real y cuidados especiales en caso se necesite. Para ello se ha realizado un proceso de ideación, desarrollo de modelo de negocio, considerando la descripción del problema a solucionar del usuario, y la determinación del segmento objetivo. Además, se diseñó experimentos que permitan validar el modelo de negocio, las estrategias para la ejecución del concierge y las proyecciones de ventas. Una vez consolidada toda la información mencionada anteriormente, se desarrolló planes que requiere el negocio, los cuales son: Estratégico, Operativo, Recursos Humanos, Marketing, Responsabilidad Social Empresarial, Financiero y Financiamiento. Por último, se hallarán las conclusiones del trabajo y el resultado potencial que tendría el negocio una vez sea implementado.

The African wild dog Lycaon pictus is Africa’s second most endangered carnivore. Only 14 out of 39 countries in Africa still have wild dogs present. This makes the populations of wild dogs in South Africa very valuable with respect to the entire species. Kruger National Park (Kruger) has the only self-sustaining and viable population of wild dogs in South Africa, making Kruger the core area of conservation for South African wild dogs. It is of vital importance to know the numbers of wild dogs present in Kruger. In chapter 2 of this dissertation I monitored and gathered demographic information from as many southern Kruger wild dog packs and individuals as possible over a three month period. I used real time text messaging to collect the information. A wild dog hotline number was used for tourists to contact immediately after they sighted a pack, noting location, time and number of wild dogs sighted. This new technique resulted in more than 300 reported wild dog sightings in three months enabling a count of individuals and packs. This also created an opportunity to take identification photographs and to collect DNA samples. In 1997 it was decided to establish and manage several small wild dog populations in various geographically isolated reserves in South Africa as one large managed metapopulation. In order to simulate the natural dispersal patterns of wild dogs, individuals are translocated between the managed metapopulation reserves, imitating natural gene flow and hopefully preventing inbreeding. To date, all decisions have been made using demographic data only. This in time is likely to result in a loss of genetic diversity and subsequent inbreeding. The aim of chapter 3 was to obtain genetic information from wild dogs in the managed metapopulation and Kruger (chapter 2) to provide a basis for sound population management including monitoring of inbreeding and maintaining levels of genetic diversity similar to those found in large self-sustaining populations (such as Kruger). This study included both mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and nuclear microsatellite loci to determine the genetic structure of South Africa’s wild dogs specifically with regards to genetic diversity, population structure and relatedness. The results showed a difference in historical and recent diversity between the managed metapopulation and Kruger. Two genetic clusters were evident in South Africa, however one was due to wild dogs from Botswana being translocated into the managed metapopulation. After the Botswana influence was removed from the analysis, three genetic clusters were observed in the South African wild dogs. These three genetic clusters comprise too few wild dogs to manage them as separate units. Relatedness between and within populations, reserves and packs were estimated and can in future be used to guide translocations of wild dogs to maximise their genetic variability. It is suggested that due to the low numbers, and historical and recent trends in genetic structure of South Africa’s wild dogs, they should be managed as one unit, allowing movements to and from neighbouring countries. All translocations should follow an isolation-by-distance pattern. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Animal and Wildlife Sciences / unrestricted

The African wild dog (Lycaon pictus) is the second most endangered carnivore in Africa. Although several high-profile endangered species are imperiled due to poor fertility, inadequate genetic diversity, and a reliance on specific niches, the wild dog is threatened by decreasing land space and human hunting practices. Wild dogs are highly fertile with an average litter size of nine at De Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Centre. Wild dog males have 3 million to 900 million sperm per ejaculate and 45-75% progressive motility during the breeding season. Wild dogs released into small nature reserves in South Africa experience increased survival rates due to sizeable litters, abundant prey, and increased hunting success along fence lines. Furthermore, the current demand for captive-bred wild dogs is low due to lack of demand by overseas zoos and the inability of nature reserves to accommodate more dogs. Long-acting GnRH analogues have been used for fertility control in many wildlife species. However, dosing and efficacy differ among species and individual animals. This study assessed the efficacy of the GnRH analogue, deslorelin, on reproductive parameters of male African wild dogs. Seasonal effects on reproduction were also evaluated. Captive male African wild dogs housed at the De Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Centre were administered either a 4.7 mg deslorelin implant (Suprelorin,® Peptech Animal Health (Pty) Ltd, Sydney, Australia; n = 10), an experimental 9.4 mg deslorelin injection (n = 11) or a placebo injection (n = 6). Treatment was administered during the non-breeding season (Month 0), and dogs were assessed at Months 3, 5, 6, and 7. Reproductive parameters evaluated before and after treatment included: serum testosterone, testicular and prostatic volume, and semen quality. Serum testosterone was assessed with a previously validated double antibody DSL testosterone radioimmunoassay kit (Diagnostic Systems Laboratories, Inc, Webster, TX). Testicular volume was calculated from testicular dimensions measured with a calliper and prostatic volume from dimensions obtained by trans-cutaneous ultrasound. Data were analyzed with ANOVA. Although the 4.7 mg deslorelin implant was safe for use in male wild dogs, there was wide variation in efficacy among dogs. The serum testosterone of implant dogs did not decrease to baseline after treatment and only half the dogs administered an implant became azoospermic post-treatment. The experimental long-acting deslorelin injection was ineffective for contraception of male African wild dogs. All three groups of dogs experienced an improvement in reproductive parameters during the months of February through May, the rainy season in northern South Africa and the period during which female African wild dogs enter oestrus, suggesting that a breeding season not only exists in the female African dog but also in the male. Testis and prostatic volume increased, serum testosterone concentrations and semen quality improved during that time of year. Further studies of deslorelin in male wild dogs are warranted to determine the appropriate dose, pay-out pattern, delivery method, and season of delivery necessary for adequate contraception in this species. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Production Animal Studies / unrestricted

The African wild dog, second most endangered carnivore in Africa, has a well-developed, highly cooperative pack system. The usual structure of a pack consists of a dominant breeding pair, the alpha male and female, several subordinates, non-breeding adults and dependent offspring. Domestic dog microsatellites were used to study the parentage in three packs and confirm that more than one dog, including the subordinate males, can sire pups within a litter as previously suggested. The study was performed on two isolated populations of wild dogs in the North West Province of South Africa. In Madikwe Game Reserve, skin samples from 47 dogs were obtained by means of biopsy darts (adults) and skin slivers taken from the ear (subadults) and stored in absolute ethanol. In Pilanesberg National Park, blood samples from 18 captured dogs were collected in EDTA blood tubes. The wild dogs were photographed and individually identified according to coat patterns. Behavioural data to determine ranking were collected from all three packs. DNA was extracted from collected samples using proteinase-K digestion followed by isolation of DNA with phenol/chloroform/isoamyl alcohol. A total of 16 microsatellite loci that consistently amplified and appeared to be polymorphic in wild dogs, were used. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was performed using two panels of microsatellite loci in multiplex reactions. An amount of 1 µl of PCR product was loaded on to the 3130 XL Genetic Analyser with Genescan 500 LIZ (Applied Biosystems) size standard and analysed using STRand (Board of Regents, University of California) software program. CERVUS 2.0 software was used to calculate allele frequencies, expected and observed heterozygosity, frequency of null alleles, polymorphic information content and exclusion probabilities for parentage assignment. Parentage verification was also performed manually. The parentage analysis revealed that at least one pup was not sired by the alpha male in each of the five litters studied. Although previous studies suggested that the alpha male sires the majority of offspring in the pack, our results confirm that subordinate males commonly sire pups with the alpha female if and when the opportunity arises. This is possibly a mechanism to decrease the effects of inbreeding. / Dissertation (MSc (Veterinary Sciences))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Production Animal Studies / unrestricted