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Object Neophilia In Domestic Purebred Dogs, Lydia Kniowski

Senior Honors Theses

Neophilia is defined as a preference for novelty. This characteristic has been described in a variety of animal species, and may have been a contributing factor in the domestication of dogs. This study tested three purebred dog breeds for neophilia with inanimate objects. Observations of dogs’ selections when presented with two familiar toys and a novel toy were analyzed. Novel toys were preferred in 60% of selections presenting a significant neophilic trend (P=0.002). Of the breeds analyzed, Labradors selected novel toys 53% of the time, while Brittanys preferred them in 67% of selections. Although both breeds showed a …