Italian Researchers Develop 'Doginburgh Inventory' to Measure Canine Paw Preference

Italian researchers have created a novel test to determine if dogs favor their left or right paw. Dubbed the 'Doginburgh Inventory,' the method is inspired by the 'Edinburgh Handedness Inventory' used to assess human hand preference. The test involves four tasks designed to observe which paw a dog uses to retrieve treats and which paw it steps with first when descending stairs or a step.

In a study involving 47 dogs, researchers observed paw usage during these tasks. The results indicated a tendency for male dogs to exhibit a stronger preference for their left paw compared to female dogs. This finding adds a new dimension to understanding canine behavior and potential lateralization in dogs.

One of the study's co-authors, Professor Marcello Siniscalchi from the University of Bari, noted the findings. While the article does not provide his full quote, it mentions his involvement and the study's implications for understanding canine handedness. The research offers a quantifiable way to assess a trait previously observed anecdotally by pet owners.

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The test consists of a total of four tasks. The first and second tests observe which front paw the dog uses to retrieve treats, and the third and fourth tests measure which front paw it first steps down with when descending stairs or a step.