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- Hard-Wired Behaviors
If you can't teach your old dog a new trick, it may be because their genetics and brain physiology are working against you. The behavior of dogs, like that of all animals, is shaped in part by instinct that is essentially hard-wired into the animal. Over time, this unlearned behavior has been honed by human choice via selective breeding to create the variety of dogs we have today. For example, herding dogs are hard-wired to control the movement of the animals; they'll intimidate, stare, stalk, bark, and nip to do so. Hunting breeds such as pointers and setters instinctively track game and freeze to point it out, while retrievers bring wounded or dead animals to their owners (whether they want it or not). Hounds are far more independent, and will take off on their own in pursuit of prey, using scent or sight (or both). Terriers are famously aggressive, driven to kill animals like rats and other vermin, which they'll furiously dig to catch. Although many of the most popular American Kennel Club dog breeds no longer work for a living, they still show signs of these ingrained behaviors.
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- Labrador Retriever
Originally from Newfoundland, not Labrador, this AKC's Sporting Group member was bred to retrieve game from water (it even has webbed feet). It is obedient by nature, loves water, and instinctively retrieves for its owner.
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- Yorkshire Terrier
Now a member of the AKC's Toy Group, the Yorkshire Terrier was created from the crosses of several terriers, including Scotland's Waterside Terrier (a dog popular among working-class Scottish weavers). In fact, once classified as a working dog, it was originally bred for hunting small vermin and has a terrier's aggressive impulses toward small animals.
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- German Shepherd Dog
The German Shepherd Dog is a member of the Herding Group, and was derived from old breeds of herding and farm dogs. True to this function, it is protective of owner and home and can be domineering toward other animals. Today, the German Shepherd is often used as a guard and police dog.
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- Golden Retriever
Bred in the mid-1800s by a Scottish Lord who wanted a sturdy water-loving retriever, the Golden Retriever is a member of the Sporting Group. The highly obedient dogs are naturally very active, can be exuberant to excess, and, like all retrievers, are driven by instinct to carry things in their mouths.
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- Beagle
The Beagle, a scent hound, originated in England in the 14th century and was first used to track rabbits. Because it was bred as a pack hunter, a beagle likes the company of other dogs. But, like others in the Hound Group, it is an independent hunter, and may run off to follow a scent, and it can be very stubborn.
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- Dachshund
The Dachshund is a member of the Hound Group, and it hunts by scent. The name "Dachshund" literally means "badger dog" in German; the dogs were bred (from a cross between a pointer and a terrier) to track badgers into their burrows, pull them out, and kill them; modern Dachshunds love to dig and hunt.
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- Boxer
A Working Group dog, the Boxer is the descendent of two central European breeds of dogs known as "bullenbaisers," or "bull biters." They were bred to grab onto large game, like deer and boar, and hang onto it until the hunter arrived. Modern Boxers have a strong instinct to grab onto cats and other creatures that try to run away.
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- Poodle
Despite its origins as a water retriever in the 16th century, the Poodle is a member of the AKC's Non-Sporting Group. Thought to have descended from curly-coated herding dogs, Poodles are drawn to water and swimming, and are natural retrievers.
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- Miniature Schnauzer
Derived from crossing a Standard Schnauzer with an Affenpinscher (a terrier-type dog in the Toy Group), the Miniature Schnauzer instinctively chases other animals (although it isn't as aggressive as other members of the Terrier Group).
29 Responses to “Photo Essay: Hard-Wired Behaviors”
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I love dog
whats up golden retrivers are awesome
this is a terrific show about our canine friends. my family got a great pyrenees puppy in july, and we are so uinterested in the inate behavior and instincts of dogs. thank you.
Sorry I missed the show. My wife caught it as I was correcting papers. It has great bearing on the development of human psychology. I’d like to purchase the DVD for class use.
i love this dog
I just caught the last part of the shaow and have owned dog all my life. There was a time I had 5 dogs and all differene breads.I am ordering the DVD for all my childern.
Excellent viewing PBS THANK YOU! I am a dog owner all my life, and found the program riveting, educational, excelent!
I love Beagle’s and Dachshund.
I love Beagle’s and Dachshund and all the dog’s in the world.
I Love all the Dogs in the world!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My Birthday is October 16th is next week almost on Halloween.
I love PBS. I have a Great Dane and an American Bulldog. We three were a part of your audience.
I have a Border Collie, and shes such a sweetheart, but she does love bossing people around, and has quite a thing about nipping at peoples heels as they leave.
That`s what border collies were bred to do herd. I have a yorkie but i really want a rottwieler and a welsh corgi(cardigan and pembroke).
I have 2 white boxers and I love them both. They are great with my 3 kids. They protect my family very well. I have raised boxers and I think they are the best dogs for families with children. If they are treated good they will do anything to protect.
I also have a white boxer and a fawn. They are terric family dogs with lots of personality. Also love the English Springer Spaniels!
bad boxer i love’em
Dogs are the best I have 2 Chiuahuas. They are about 1 ruller long…..
i love begals i have 13 hunting begals of my ownwe all go duck hunting me and my friend do.We go on horse back in duck hunting season
I hate breeding dogs for shows and stuff. It cruel and pedigree dogs are just as cute why breed a dog to have a horrible painful life? Its horrible if you want a dog get a pedigree is will be more playful happy and natural.
Sophie- Im feeling you sister. im feeling you.
I Have a pug & a Chiuahua. And when i take the pug for a walk we have to stop every 5 mins so he can catch his breath ITS JUST SO SAD GUYSSS :’(
i have a begal i got at the shelter she is three years old and can not stand other dogs she will attack them as if she was a big dog is there anyway i can get her too stop this.
I love retrievers. Theyre so loyal and adorable:)
I LOOOOOOVE dogs sooooo much i have about 3 little house dogs anh i LOOOOOOOVE them so mch!!!!
Your content has confirmed beneficial to myself. It’s very helpful and also you tend to be naturally extremely proficient of this type. You have opened up my sight in order to varying opinions about this subject together with exciting and sound content.
I have two Cardigan Welsh Corgis. They are just wonderful dogs(brother & sister, same mom, different dads). Their herding instincts are unbelievably acute. We live out in the boonies, and have flocks of wild turkeys running through our large yard. If the dogs are outside, they will herd the turkeys and make them run in circles, bunched together, until they get tired of the fun, make no attempt to hurt them outside of an occasional nip to keep order. They were never taught to herd – they just do it naturally, one in the front, one in the back, constantly making eye contact. It’s a joy to watch. They are also excellent, affectionate house dogs, but obsessed with feet (cow’s, sheep’s, horse’s, turkey’s, duck’s, human’s). They are obedient when they know I really mean it, but another of the breed’s characteristics is a thing called “intelligent disobedience” – especially when herding. They quite rightfully know that their instincts about herding are far superior to a humans – so if they think they’re right, they’ll ignore commands. Another breed I would most highly recommend are Rhodesian Ridgebacks. Had one for 15 joyful years – loyal, protective, great with children, easy care, highly intelligent, calm and affectionate.
Breeding affects about 1% or less of actual dog behavior. 99% of dog behavior is learned, just like humans and any other mammal. Buying a dog of a specific breed guarantees absolutely nothing which is why “behavior schools” are such big business. Understand that dogs are basically children with limited intelligence (but ability to improve decision making with experience) and treat them as if they were equal members of your own family and you’ll have an intelligent, confident, and loyal family member who you will cry for, not because of the function they served, but for the love, comfort and memories they brought to your life.
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