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This study aimed to evaluate the effect of four non-genetic factors (sex, coat colour, competition judges, type of trial) on the five hunting traits (search, approach, tracking of prey, standstill barking and physical skills) used to estimate the aptitude for wild boar hunt in Italian Maremma Scent Hound. A total of 1147 dogs (734 males, 399 females, and 14 not sexed dogs) were evaluated in competitions held in North-Central Italy, from 2010 to 2011. Dogs were tested as individuals, pairs and packs. Coat colour had no effect on the five tested traits. A significant difference (p

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of four non-genetic factors (sex, coat colour, competition judges, type of trial) on the five hunting traits (search, approach, tracking of prey, standstill barking and physical skills) used to estimate the aptitude for wild boar hunt in Italian Maremma Scent Hound. A total of 1147 dogs (734 males, 399 females, and 14 not sexed dogs) were evaluated in competitions held in North-Central Italy, from 2010 to 2011. Dogs were tested as individuals, pairs and packs. Coat colour had no effect on the five tested traits. A significant difference (p < 0.01) between males and females was observed only for search. Type of trial had a significant effect (p < 0.01) on all the five hunting traits. Judges factor was significant (p < 0.01) for physical skills and barking remaining firm in place. A significant positive phenotypic correlation was observed among tracking of prey, approach and physical skills (p < 0.01). Approach and physical skills were positively correlated with approach (p < 0.05) and tracking of prey (p < 0.01). Search was negatively correlated with all the other four, whereas standstill barking showed no correlation with any traits. These data are the basis to improve our knowledge about the values of variability in considered hunting traits and they provide genetic criteria to the breeders to achieve more stringent selective choices. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The aim of this study was to estimate genetic parameters for traits observed in a hunting behaviour test carried out by the Swedish Flatcoated Retriever club, as well as to investigate the existence of broader personality traits. During the test, the dog is exposed to various standardised hunting situations and the intensity of its reactions is scored in a test protocol by approved test leaders. The data consisted of observations for 10 traits on approximately 800–1150 dogs (depending on trait) and for two additional traits recently added to the test (with only about 190 observations). The dogs were tested in the period from 1992 to 2000. Almost all traits were affected by test leader, test object (dummy or game) and previous experience, whereas age and sex affected fewer of the reactions. Heritability estimates for the 10 traits were generally between 0.1 and 0.4, with an outlier of 0.74, and several of the traits were highly genetically correlated. A factor analysis on estimated breeding values revealed three factors which were interpreted as broader personality traits named: excitement, willingness to retrieve, and independence. These personality traits had heritabilities of 0.49, 0.28, and 0.16, respectively, and were weakly genetically correlated with each other (from -0.08 to 0.15). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]