Dog Breeds and Behaviour: A Journey Through Behavioural Biology

When it comes to understanding our canine companions, it’s easy to be drawn into simplistic explanations: “Oh, he’s just aggressive because he’s a [insert breed here]” or “She’s stubborn because all dogs of that breed are like that.” While certain breed tendencies are very real and important to acknowledge, dog behaviour is far more complex — and fascinating!

Thanks to the growing field of behavioural biology, our view of dog breeds and behaviour has evolved drastically in recent years. Instead of relying on outdated dominance-based models, today’s best practices in behaviour management focus on individual needs, emotional well-being, and scientific insight. In this blog post, we’ll explore how biology, genetics, hormones, and environment work together to shape canine behaviour — and how this knowledge can help us raise happier, more balanced dogs.

The Foundations: How Biology Shapes Behaviour

Genetics: Not a Blueprint, But a Guide

Every dog breed was developed with a purpose — herding, guarding, retrieving, and more. These historic roles are embedded in their genes, meaning certain behaviours are more likely to appear in specific breeds. For example, Border Collies often show intense focus and herding behaviour, while Labradors tend to enjoy retrieving and social interaction. However, genetics doesn’t dictate how a dog must behave. Instead, it provides a range of possible tendencies.

What does that mean for you as a dog owner? While breed tendencies offer helpful clues, it’s crucial to treat every dog as an individual. Even within the same litter, dogs may differ significantly in temperament. Genetics sets the stage — but the script is co-written by experience.

Nature Meets Nurture

Research in behavioural biology has shown that a dog’s environment and early life experiences can modify how genes are expressed (this is known as epigenetics). For instance, a naturally wary puppy that is gently socialised during its formative weeks may grow into a confident adult dog. On the other hand, even a genetically sociable dog might develop anxiety if exposed to chronic stress or trauma.

So, while dog breeds and behaviour are linked through inherited tendencies, the way a dog is raised and the environment it lives in play a major role in shaping its final behavioural traits.

The Brain Behind Behaviour

Emotions and Learning

Inside your dog's brain, the limbic system (which handles emotions like fear, pleasure, and social bonding) works alongside the cerebral cortex (which is involved in decision-making and learning). This partnership influences how dogs process their experiences and choose how to respond.

Neurotransmitters — the brain’s chemical messengers — are also key to understanding behaviour. Dopamine, for instance, is involved in motivation and reward. That’s why dogs thrive on praise and treats: they light up the brain’s reward circuits! On the flip side, a lack of serotonin can contribute to anxiety or aggression. These biological factors help explain why some dogs are more reactive, while others remain calm in the same situation.

Hormones That Influence Behaviour

Hormones like cortisol, oxytocin, and testosterone all impact how a dog behaves:

• Cortisol is the body’s primary stress hormone. Prolonged stress causes its levels to rise, impairing learning and increasing reactivity.

• Oxytocin, famously called the “love hormone,” promotes bonding and trust. Social interaction, cuddles, and even eye contact can elevate oxytocin levels – both in dogs and humans!

• Testosterone isn’t only about aggression, but it does play a role, particularly during mating season or in unneutered males encountering another male.

Understanding these biological elements helps behaviourists like us design more suitable training and management plans that support both the dog’s mind and body.

Puppyhood: The Critical Learning Window

Why Early Experiences Matter So Much

Puppies go through sensitive periods early in life – windows of time when certain experiences have a stronger impact on brain development. This is why responsible breeders and new puppy owners are encouraged to provide gentle exposure to people, environments, sounds, and other animals during the first few months.

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Research dating back to 1961 (Freedman, King, and Elliot) highlighted that puppies who miss positive exposures during this period are more likely to develop fear-based behaviours later on.

So, if you’re planning to bring home a pup, remember: expose early, but in a calm and controlled way. The better these first weeks go, the smoother your training road ahead.

Tailoring Behaviour Plans to the Individual

Moving Away from the “One Size Fits All” Model

In the past, many trainers relied on dominance-based training methods that assumed all dogs should be treated the same way, regardless of breed or personality. Thanks to advances in behavioural biology, we now know how ineffective (and potentially harmful) those approaches can be.

A behaviourally savvy trainer will take into account:

• The dog’s breed and associated tendencies

• The individual’s emotional state and learning history

• Biological factors, including hormone fluctuations and potential medical issues

• Environmental stressors (e.g. noise, lack of stimulation, poor social experiences)

For instance, managing a fearful rescue dog will require a very different approach from working with a confident, high-drive working dog. For some dogs, counterconditioning and desensitisation — using safe, gradual exposures to reduce fear — are key. Others may thrive with mental enrichment games or structured play. Understanding what’s going on under the surface helps prevent overwhelm and promotes lasting behaviour change.

The Power of Positive Reinforcement

Training the Brain Through Reward

Punishment-based methods may seem to bring quick results, but science shows they often increase anxiety, fear, and stress, which can worsen behaviour in the long run. Instead, behavioural biology supports the use of positive reinforcement — rewarding desired behaviours to make them more likely to occur again.

Positive reinforcement taps into the dog’s reward system, laying down stronger learning pathways in the brain. It also strengthens the bond between human and dog and reduces the risk of future reactivity or shutdown.

Whether you’re reinforcing “sit,” rewarding calm behaviour around distractions, or encouraging curiosity with clicker training, this method aligns not just with kindness, but with science!

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Enrichment: More Than Just a Nice Extra

Meeting Mental and Emotional Needs

Dogs, especially those bred for working tasks, need more than just walks and food — they need mental stimulation, social interaction, and sensory engagement. Lack of enrichment can lead to boredom, stress, and problematic behaviours.

Enrichment ideas:

• Food puzzles and slow feeders

• Scent-sniffing games

• Novel toys rotated regularly

• Training sessions using new tricks

• Social outings and safe dog-dog interactions

According to research, enrichment reduces cortisol levels and enhances overall well-being, especially in kennelled or isolated dogs. When we think about dog breeds and behaviour, it’s helpful to design activities based on breed tendencies. A retriever may love fetch-style games, while a scent hound thrives on nose work.

Final Thoughts: Honouring the Whole Dog

We need to understand dog breeds and behaviour through the lens of behavioural biology. This invites us to take a more compassionate, informed, and effective approach to training and care.

While genes and hormones are undeniably important, they don’t dictate destiny. Behaviour is a dynamic blend of nature and nurture — shaped by experience, training, health, and environment. A fearful or reactive dog isn’t just “bad”; they may be overwhelmed, stressed, or biologically predisposed to certain responses that need gentle guidance.

In short, the best outcomes happen when we look at the whole dog: their genetics, their biology, their history, and their heart. With empathy, patience, and a bit of science, we can help every dog thrive.

References:

• Freedman, D.G., King, J.A. and Elliot, O. (1961). Critical Period in the Social Development of Dogs. Science, [online] 133(3457), pp.1016–1017. doi:https://doi.org/10.1126/science.133.3457.1016

• Horowitz, A. and Hecht, J. (2016). Examining dog–human play: the characteristics, affect, and vocalizations of a unique interspecific interaction. Animal Cognition, 19(4), pp.779–788. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s10071-016-0976-3

• Overall, K.L. (2013). Manual of clinical behavioral medicine for dogs and cats. St. Louis, Mo: Elsevier Saunders.

• Udell, M.A.R., Ewald, M., Dorey, N.R. and Wynne, C.D.L. (2014). Exploring breed differences in dogs (Canis familiaris): does exaggeration or inhibition of predatory response predict performance on human-guided tasks? Animal Behaviour, 89, pp.99–105. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anbehav.2013.12.012

• Wells, D.L. (2004). A review of environmental enrichment for kennelled dogs, Canis familiaris. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, [online] 85(3-4), pp.307–317. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2003.11.005

• Ziv, G. (2017). The effects of using aversive training methods in dogs—A review. Journal of Veterinary Behavior, [online] 19(1), pp.50–60. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2017.02.004