The character types of the blind guide dogs

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1 Annals of Warsaw University of Life Sciences SGGW Animal Science No 49, 2011: 5 9 (Ann. Warsaw Univ. of Life Sc. SGGW, Anim. Sci. 49, 2011) The character types of the blind guide dogs MARIAN BRZOZOWSKI, KATARZYNA KRYM Animal Breeding and Production Department, Warsaw University of Life Sciences SGGW Abstract: The character types of the blind guide dogs. The aim of this study was to determine the character types of the blind guide dogs, in correlation with theirs breed, gender and age. The analysis was based on final results of the training prepared by the Polish Association of the Blind. There were no statistical differences when comparing the final examination results (number of points scored) with regard to breed animals and their gender. Dependence was found between the dogs character types and the correctness of tasks: dogs in sanguine type are the most suitable for specialized training, but in a group of dogs that successfully completed the exam were also choleric dogs hyperactive and phlegmatic slow, which are less predisposed to work with man, but through proper training they can work as a guide the blind. Key words: dog character types, guide dog the blind, dogs training. INTRODUCTION Dogs are used in various fields. In each a different type of behaviors is preferred, and each type of behavior suited to the nature of character, classifying it into the appropriate type of activity (work). Currently, dogs are increasingly committed to working in the service of man. (Palmer, 1983; Kuźniewicz and Kuźniewicz, 2003; Ściesiński, 2004). To perform a variety of tasks, the dog must be properly prepared. The importance of the training process is not only to prepare the dog to his future work but also learn him the appropriate behavior at a work. (Dennison, 2007; Donaldson, 2007). Kind of behavior, and the character type of dog is the basis to allocate it to the appropriate type of work (Coren, 1997). Dogs trained to the needs of the Polish Association of the Blind are matched in terms of physical structure and must have the appropriate mental abilities (Praca zbiorowa, 2009). Guide dog blind man could be any racial or crossbreed dogs when it enters the appropriate training and can be assigned to the person in need (Praca zbiorowa, 2006). Guide dogs must meet certain criteria, both physical and mental (Praca zbiorowa, 2010). Many dog breeds possess such characteristics, include Labradors (Milewska-Kuncewicz, 2003) and German Shepherds (Nowicka, 1995). The aim of this study was to determine the character types, which most often occurs in dogs intended for use as a guide the blind, in correlation to theirs race, gender and age, based on final exam results. MATERIALS AND METHODS Materials The results received by dogs that have completed the final examination success-

2 6 M. Brzozowski, K. Krym fully, and received eligible to work as guide dog the blind were analyzed. The dogs trained in the years in a training center Mr. J. Przewięda in Piła were involved in the study. The study involved 26 animals: 10 dogs in 2007, and 16 dogs in the years 2008 and 2009, when 8 animals were trained each year. Trained dogs belongs to two breeds: Labradors and German Shepherds. The results of the training included 30 criteria. Methods The paper presents an analysis of the obtained final results of the examination of dogs with regard to their race, gender and age. During the exam dogs were rated by 30 criteria: 26 of them were evaluated at a scale of 0 10 points, while the four criteria in the 0 5 point scale. Dogs can earn a maximum of 280 points. The exam has been passed when dog has got at least 224 points. Based on the evaluation results of four criteria which are elements of the exam, while expressing the character of trained dogs, it was developed an own test of the character types of trained dogs, based on psychological pups tests presented in the literature (Brzezicha and Walczyna, 1995; Ściesiński, 2004; Bailey, 2007). The following criteria were taken into account: 1. Response to auditory stimuli (eg. explosions); 2. Response to other stimuli such as visual and olfactory; 3. Response to orders given to them; 4. Reaction to the recall. Exam results in the adopted scale are shown in Table 1, and the dogs types characters corresponding to the number of points obtained in the new-scale are presented in Table 2 (according to the criteria described by Woźniak, 2000). The estimation statistical differences in the results, using statistical tests: Student s t and chi-square, have been done. TABLE 1. Exam results in the PZN and adopted scale an estimation of dog s type character Criteria Response to auditory stimuli (eg. explosions) Response to other stimuli (visual or olfactory) Response to orders Response to the recall *PAB Polish Association of the Blind (PZN). Intensity of response Scale (points) PAB* Adopted No response 10 3 Response No response 10 3 Response Response 10 3 No response Response 10 3 No response 8 1 1

3 The character types of the blind guide dogs 7 TABLE 2. Dogs types characters corresponding to the number of points obtained in the adopted scale (according to the criteria described by Woźniak, 2000) Points Sanguine Choleric 9 7 Phlegmatic 6 4 Melancholic 3 0 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Based on the results, it was observed that the commands: moving off, accelerating, move on the street and free-leash walking were done very well. Moving up the stairs, reactions to the commands and recalls, as well as such commands as sit, beware, stop and retrieving were executed in a good way. Difficult situations on the street and obstacles on the right side, keeping the direction, giving the voice were overcome on the average level. The left side obstacles and barriers on high were most difficult to realize. The average final exam score for animals who have completed training is points (SD = 12.29). The following table show the comparison of final exam results (number of points scored) with regard to animal breed, gender and age (Tab. 3). Student s t-test analysis indicates that the existing differences between groups are statistically insignificant. Statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) was observed by analyzing the level of examination assessment (higher/ lower), taking into account the age of animals: an older animals received better results (Tab. 4). Comparison of animals in terms of their types characters are shown in Table 5. The largest number of dogs (15) was in choleric character, which is hyperactive and unstable, 7 dogs shows the nature of the phlegmatic, slow, and only 4 dogs were in the sanguine type sustainable. No dog has received as a result less than 4 points, thus not one TABLE 3. Comparison of final exam results Breed Gender Age Criteria Number Average result Standard of animals (points) deviation Labrador German Shepherd Males Females Up to 23 months Over 23 months TABLE 4. The level of examination assessment in relation to average age Items Up to 250 points Over 250 points Number of animals in group Average final score Average age (in months) 19.7 a a a the difference statistically significant (p < 0.05).

4 8 M. Brzozowski, K. Krym TABLE 5. Comparison of animals in terms to their character types Breed Gender Age Cryteria Number of animals Sanguine Choleric Phlegmatic Labrador German Shepherd Males Females Up to 23 months Over 23 months TABLE 6. Comparison the results obtained by certain character types of dogs Population s average (points) Sanguine Choleric Phlegmatic a, B a B a the difference statistically significant (p < 0.05). B the difference statistically highly significant (p < 0.01). demonstrated the melancholic type. Dogs in the type of phlegmatic and choleric qualified as guide dog, because the training process has built with them the appropriate behavior of allowing the pass the final exam (Coren, 1995; Dennison, 2007; Donaldson, 2007). Performed chi-square test analysis showed that the existing differences between groups are statistically insignificant. The next table compares the results obtained by certain character types of dogs (Tab. 6). It was found that the highest score obtained dogs with sanguine type, while the lowest phlegmatic type dogs. These were the values which differ at a statistically significant level to the population s average. CONCLUSIONS There were no statistical differences when comparing the final examination results (number of points scored) with regard to breed animals and their gender. Statistically significant difference was observed by analyzing the level of assessment examination (higher/lower): an older animals obtained better results. Analysis of the participation of certain types characters of animals regard to their race, gender and age indicates that existing differences between groups are statistically insignificant. It was observed that the highest scores obtained dogs in sanguine type, that are most suitable for specialized training. Theirs results were significantly higher than the average for the population, and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Dogs of a choleric hyperactive characters obtained results similar to the population s average, while dogs with a phlegmatic character slow, obtained final results much lower than the population s average (p < 0.01).

5 The character types of the blind guide dogs 9 REFERENCES BAILEY G., 2008: The perfect puppy. Edit. Hamlyn. BRZEZICHA A., WALCZYNA B., 1995: Mój pies i ja. Państwowe Wydawnictwa Rolnicze i Leśne, COREN S., 1995: The intelligence of dogs. Edit. Bantam. DENNISON P., 2007: Pozytywne szkolenie psów. Wydawnictwo Rebis, Poznań. DONALDSON J., 2007: Culture clash. Edit. James & Kenneth. KUŹNIEWICZ J., KUŹNIEWICZ G., 2003: Psy w służbie człowieka. Akademia Rolnicza we Wrocławiu, Wrocław. MILEWSKA-KUNCEWICZ J., 2003: Golden Retriever. Agencja Wydawnicza MAKO PRESS, NOWICKA M., 1995: Owczarek niemiecki. Wydawnictwo Egros, PALMER J., 1983: Working dogs. Haynes Publ. PRACA ZBIOROWA, 2006: Regulamin przyznawania psów przewodników i psów towarzyszących w Polskim Związku Niewidomych. Zarząd Główny Polskiego Związku Niewidomych, PRACA ZBIOROWA, 2009: Protokół z egzaminu wstępnego/końcowego psa przewodnika na 2010 rok. Zarząd Główny Polskiego Związku Niewidomych, PRACA ZBIOROWA, 2010: Pies przewodnik osoby niewidomej. Centrum Rehabilitacji Biura Zarządu Głównego Polskiego Związku Niewidomych, ŚCIESIŃSKI K., 2004: Hodowla psów. Wydawnictwo SGGW, WOŹNIAK J., 2000: Szkolenie psów porady praktyczne. Wydawnictwo Łowiec Polski, Streszczenie: Typy charakterów psów przewodników niewidomych. Celem badania było określenie rodzaju charakteru psów przewodników niewidomych w korelacji z ich rasą, płcią i wiekiem. Analizę oparto na ostatecznych wynikach szkolenia opracowanego przez Polski Związek Niewidomych. Nie zaobserwowano istotnych różnic przy porównaniu wyników egzaminu końcowego (liczba zdobytych punktów) w odniesieniu do rasy zwierząt i ich płci. Stwierdzono zależność między różnymi typami charakterów psów: psy w typie sangwinicznym są najbardziej odpowiednie dla szkoleń specjalistycznych, ale w grupie psów, które pomyślnie zaliczyły egzamin były również psy o charakterze cholerycznym nadpobudliwe, oraz psy w typie flegmatycznym powolne, które są mniej predysponowane do pracy z człowiekiem, ale poprzez odpowiednie przeszkolenie mogą pracować jako przewodnicy niewidomych. MS. received September 2011 Authors address: Katedra Szczegółowej Hodowli Zwierząt SGGW ul. Ciszewskiego Warszawa Poland