Work

Personality traits of aged dogs according to their cognitive status

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Canine cognitive dysfunction (CCD) syndrome is a neurodegenerative condition that shares similarities with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in humans. In human studies, high neuroticism, low openness, and low extraversion have been significantly associated with AD diagnosis. Similarly, changes in dog behaviour, including alterations in personality, have been reported as common features in dogs with CCD, but no precise assessment of their changes has yet been realised.The aim of this study (based on the CaniAge cohort) was to compare environment and characteristics of dogs with cognitive impairment (CI dogs) and non-CI dogs in a French senior dog population including owner-reported personality traits between dogs. Data were collected via an online survey, including the CADES scale (Canine Dementia Scale), the Monash Canine Personality Questionnaire, the Canine Owner-Reported Quality of Life (CORQ) assessment, and an environment questionnaire. Dogs aged of 6 years and older were included.Responses were obtained for 566 senior dogs of various breeds, with a median age of 9.86 years (Interquartile range: 8.08–11.98). Among them, 234 were classified as cognitively impaired, including 182 with mild impairment, 44 with moderate impairment, and 8 with severe impairment or dementia. Compared to non-CI dogs, CI dogs were significantly older, more frequently exhibited frailty, and had lower quality of life and sleep, along with decreased sensory function. They also scored significantly lower on extraversion and amicability, and higher on neuroticism.After adjustment, CI dogs showed significantly lower amicability and higher neuroticism compared to non-CI dogs.This study is complementary of previous studies regarding CI-characteristics but is also the first to explore personality trait differences between CI and non-CI dogs, supporting observations previously reported in Alzheimer's disease research.

Source: Applied Animal Behaviour Science

DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2025.106844