RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BLOOD-PRESSURE AND STRESS-PRONE TEMPERAMENT IN DOGS

As part of an assessment of stress during the training of guide dogs f or the blind, blood pressures have been monitored in their main breeds . For this article a population of 227 Labradors, between 9 and 24 mon ths of age, had indirect arterial blood pressures measured and means t aken of five readings. They were ranked according to their pressures. Prior to the measurements, their character was independently assessed as ''stress-prone'' or ''non-stress-prone'' by their highly experience d and trained handlers. The pressure data distribution of stress-prone animals in the ranking was analysed; they were significantly more lik ely to be found at the high end of the blood pressure range for that p opulation.