Dog behaviour has little to do with breed, study finds

The findings suggested that how aggressive a dog is may have little to do with genetics. Photograph: David Joel/Getty Images

From sociable labradors to aggressive pitbulls, when it comes to canine behaviour there are no end of stereotypes. But research suggests such traits may have less to do with breed than previously thought.

Modern dog breeds began to emerge in the Victorian era and are often physically distinct – for example, great danes are huge and chihuahuas tiny. But it has often been thought breed can predict behaviour, too.