Med. Weter. 80 (5), 230-234, 2024
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| ALEKSANDRA GARBIEC, MIROSŁAW KARPIŃSKI, JUSTYNA WOJTAŚ, ANETA STRACHECKA, PATRYCJA STANISZEWSKA |
| Correlation between motor laterality, temperament and cortisol levels in dogs. |
| This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between motor lateralisation, temperament, and serum levels of cortisol. The study group consisted of 39 clinically healthy dogs: 21 females and 18 males. Lateralisation and temperament were assessed during periodic animal health checks using a standardised tape test and a proprietary assessment algorithm. The median cortisol level in the dogs was 4.6 ng/ml. The median cortisol level was 4.31 ng/ml in dogs under 3 years of age and 4.92 ng/ml in dogs over 3 years of age. The median cortisol level was 4.21 ng/ml in left-pawed dogs and 4.8 ng/ml in right-pawed dogs. Statistically significant differences were found between cortisol levels and temperament. The median cortisol level was 5.06 ng/ml in extrovert dogs and 4 ng/ml in introvert dogs. |
| Keywords: dog, cortisol, lateralisation, temperament |