Two recent publications are now available from the Frontiers special edition, Our Canine Connection: The History, Benefits and Future of Human-Dog Interactions.
The Animal Welfare Science of Working Dogs: Current Perspectives on Recent Advances and Future Directions
Written by Mia Cobb, Cynthia Otto and Aubrey Fine, this paper reviews the last decade of animal welfare science of working dogs in relation to modern ethics, human interaction, and the five domains of animal welfare: nutrition, environment, behavioral interaction, physical health, and mental state. Additionally, the article suggests areas of further research to help ensure that working dogs have the best lives possible.
Advancing Genetic Selection and Behavioral Genomics of Working Dogs Through Collaborative Science
By Frances Chen, Madeline Zimmermann, Jessica Hekman, Kathryn Lord, Brittney Logan, Jane Russenberger, Eldin Leighton and Elinor Karlsson. The authors encourage the modernization of canine breeding programs, especially as it relates to working dogs, and advocate for the implementation of a data-driven method called estimated breeding values (EBVs).