Case Distribution, Sources, and Breeds of Dogs Presenting to a Veterinary Behavior Clinic in the United States from 1997 to 2017

SIMPLE SUMMARY: This study looked at the reasons why people sought help for their dog’s behavior, where those dogs were acquired by the owner, and which breeds of dogs were seen most often. All dogs in this study presented to a veterinary college specialty hospital in the United States. For dogs presenting to the behavioral medicine service, the types of behavior problems and sources of dogs from 1923 cases over twenty years (1997 to 2017) were evaluated. The breeds of dogs presenting for behavior (822) compared to those presenting to the rest of the hospital for non-behavioral reasons (51,052) were compared over ten years (2007 to 2016). The most common behavioral issue was aggression (72.2% of cases). Dogs obtained from breeders decreased and dogs adopted from shelters increased over twenty years. Dogs from the herding and terrier groups presented more often to the behavioral medicine service compared to the rest of the hospital. While these findings are specific to this population, these results could be helpful in making choices about the allocation of resources for the prevention of behavioral problems, such as genetics research or educational support to shelters. Finally, we found that the variations in terminology and available data made comparisons of behavior problems challenging. ABSTRACT: The purpose of this retrospective case study was to evaluate trends over time in case distribution, sources, and breeds of dogs presenting to the behavioral medicine service at a veterinary college referral hospital in the United States. For case distribution and sources, the available records from the behavior service (n = 1923) from 1997 to 2017 were evaluated. Breeds of dogs presenting to all services (n = 51,052) were compared to behavior cases (n = 822) from 2007 to 2016. Over twenty years, 72.2% of dogs presented for aggression, 20.1% for anxieties/fears/phobias, and 7.4% for miscellaneous behavioral problems. Dogs acquired from breeders decreased and dogs from shelters, rescues, or adopted as a stray increased over twenty years (p < 0.0001). The Herding (p = 0.0124) and Terrier (p < 0.0001) groups were overrepresented for behavior problems as compared to all other services over ten years. Variations in terminology and diagnostic approach made comparisons with earlier studies difficult, which underscores a need for a more consistent methodology in veterinary behavioral medicine. Understanding trends in sources of dogs could direct resources aimed at guiding owners when acquiring a pet dog and preventing behavioral problems. Findings related to breeds could help guide research focused on the genetic contributions to behavior.