Effect of breed on food preference tests for dogs

Autor: Carolina Pedro Zanatta, Diego Surek, Larissa Wünsche Risolia, Ananda Portella Félix, Alex Maiorka, Simone Gisele de Oliveira
Jazyk: English<br />Portuguese
Rok vydání: 2017
Předmět:
Zdroj: Semina: Ciências Agrárias, Vol 38, Iss 4Supl1, Pp 2659-2668 (2017)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 1676-546X
1679-0359
DOI: 10.5433/1679-0359.2017v38n4Supl1p2659
Popis: This study aimed to determine the differences among four dog breeds as to food selectivity, choice agreement, and the number scores that best evaluate the degree of food choice agreement. For that, 115 food preference tests were analyzed. In each of those tests, 20 dogs were used (eight Beagles, four Labradors, four Siberian Huskies, and four Basset Hounds), in two evaluation days. The medians of intake difference between two diets were calculated for days one, two, and for both days to determine if there were selectivity difference among breeds. A randomized block experimental design was applied, and medians were submitted to the test of Friedmann. Food choice agreement and the degree of agreement among breeds were evaluated by the kappa index, using two different scales. Basset Hounds were the most selective when two different foods were offered, whereas Labradors were the least selective. When performing food preference tests, Siberian Huskies and Basset Hounds are recommended; however, they must be used individually to prevent that the results of one breed could neutralize those of the other breed. The use of a scale of food preference with three scores is recommended in order to obtain results that are more reliable.
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