AGONISTIC BEHAVIOR OF FREE-RANGING DOGS (CANIS-FAMILIARIS) IN RELATION TO SEASON, SEX AND AGE

Observations on the agonistic behaviour of 12 free-ranging dogs from t wo neighbouring groups were recorded in Katwa town, India. Both intra- and inter-group agonistic encounters were recorded on a seasonal basi s. Mean (+/- S.E.) seasonal number of intra-group agonistic encounters of individual dog was greatest in winter (13.33 +/- 1.89) and then in late monsoon (12.33 +/- 1.99), when the females were lactating and in oestrus, respectively. Similarly, the mean (+/-S.E.) seasonal number of inter-group agonistic encounters of individual dog was greatest in winter (32.25 +/- 4.43) and then in late monsoon (27.75 +/- 2.01). The re was a significant difference between the intra- and inter-group ago nistic encounters. Dominance hierarchies were established among the ad ult dogs of either sex based on aggressive encounters. Although indivi dual differences in agonism were observed, overall levels of aggressio n were higher among the adult females than for other groups. In contra st, overall levels of submission were higher among the juvenile males than for other groups. The results from this study suggest that reprod uctive season, sex and age have a significant effect on the agonistic behaviour of free-ranging dogs. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rig hts reserved,