00:00Why Dog Breed Alone Doesn't Predict Performance or Behavior
00:04A dog's breed can tell you something.
00:07It can not tell you everything.
00:10That is the message behind new research on canine performance.
00:14Scientists testing dog olfactory ability found a messy truth.
00:19Breed groups selected for smell, cooperation, or both did not neatly predict performance
00:24in the task.
00:26Some dogs from expected groups performed well.
00:28Others did not.
00:31And within the same breed or breed group, individual differences were huge.
00:35That matters because humans love shortcuts.
00:39Border Collies are smart.
00:41Bloodhounds can smell anything.
00:44Malinois are born workers.
00:46Labradors are easy.
00:48Pit bulls are one thing.
00:51Chihuahuas are another.
00:53But real dogs are not stereotypes with paws.
00:57Performance depends on genetics, yes, but also training, motivation, age, health, handler
01:03communication, environment, reward style, stress, confidence, and previous experience.
01:09A breed's original job may influence tendencies.
01:12It does not guarantee ability.
01:16That is especially important for working dogs.
01:20Police, search and rescue, medical detection, conservation, and sport teams cannot choose only
01:26by breed label.
01:28They have to test the actual dog in front of them.
01:32The same is true at home.
01:34Do not assume a dog will behave a certain way because of its breed name.
01:38Look at the individual.
01:40Train the individual.
01:43Support the individual.
01:46Breed may open the book, but it does not write the whole story.
