BY: SAMANTHA BARTLETT, DVM

A new study from Sweden found that the owner-dog relationship can affect a dog’s stress levels. The study also found that some breeds are more susceptible than others. 

Researchers studied the cortisol level in the hairs of dogs and their owners to determine the relationship of stress-levels between owners and pets. Two groups of dogs were studied. Hunting dogs included Swedish elkhound, Norwegian elkhound and dachshund. Ancient dogs were those thought more closely related to wolves including Shiba Inu, husky, and basenji. Interestingly enough, a close correlation was found between stress levels of hunting dogs and their owners, but not between ancient dog breeds and owners. 

This study was a follow-up to a previous study that found herding breeds tend to synchronize with owner stress over the long term. Researchers believe this is partly due to the breeding selection process in creating a breed that works closely with humans.

Owners completed questionnaires about their dog’s personality as well as their own. Owners also answered questions about their relationship with their dog including interactions with the dog, degree of emotional attachment and the extend of problems arising from dog ownership.  

The ancient breed group seems to be least affected by owner and their relationship. Solitary hunting dogs show associations with both owner and their relationship. Only the herding dogs show long term stress synchronization with their owners. 

The researchers admit there are still many questions to answer and more in-depth studies need to occur to unravel all aspects of the owner-dog relationship.