Human-animal relationship and welfare of the domiciled dog

Abstract

The objective of this study was to verify the eventual association between human-animal relationship and the animal welfare. Relationships among raising conditions of 60 dogs, owner’s progressiveness and attitude and animal welfare were studied through multiple correspondence analysis. The investigation model used in the research was of the exploratory type of descriptive character with field research. Data were collected at households through an inquiry. Residences were selected according to a systematic sampling procedure covering type of residence and socioeconomical levels. Behavior, peacefulness state and body state evaluations were the three indicators used for measuring animal welfare. Dogs simultaneously tame, peaceful and with ideal body condition were considered to experience appropriate welfare. Only 43,3% of the canine population could be classified as under appropriate welfare during interviews. Among the three used indicators, corporal condition and state of peacefulness were shown to best characterize  poor welfare rather than  appropriate welfare. Results suggested that progressiveness, positive attitude and the owner’s attention and care to provide a good life quality to his dog, did not imply in its adequate welfare, in 56,6% of studied population.