01/10/2026
Dr Kim Schenke's latest journal article, a systematic review examining 37 canine behavioural questionnaires, found that many questionnaires conflate observable behaviour with inferred traits or emotions, making measurement inconsistent and often unreliable. Across studies, emotion‑based descriptors varied hugely (2.3% – 40.5%), and a large proportion of items were mixed or uncategorizable. This makes it difficult to compare findings or draw valid conclusions about how dogs actually behave.
Their recommendations:
• Clarify and standardise what counts as “canine behaviour”
• Develop tools that measure literal, observable actions rather than human interpretation
Better definitions mean better science - and ultimately, better outcomes for dogs.
Read the full article here: https://doi-org.glos.idm.oclc.org/10.1080/10888705.2026.2693645
