Paw preference in dogs: relations between lateralised behaviour and immunity

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Neurology
• Immunology
• Animal Behavior

Background:

• Paw preference, or lateralisation, is observed in many animal species.
• Sex differences in paw preference have been noted in domestic dogs (Canis familiaris).
• The link between brain asymmetry and immune system modulation is an emerging area of research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate paw preference in domestic dogs.
• To explore the relationship between paw preference and immune parameters.
• To determine if brain asymmetry influences immune responses in dogs.

Main Methods:

• Assessed paw use in 80 dogs during a snout-based task.
• Observed population lateralisation and sex differences in paw preference.
• Analyzed immune parameters (white blood cells, lymphocytes, granulocytes, monocytes, total proteins, gamma-globulins) in left-pawed, right-pawed, and ambidextrous dogs.

Main Results:

• Males showed a left-paw preference, while females exhibited a right-paw preference.
• Left-pawed dogs had a higher percentage and total number of lymphocytes compared to right-pawed and ambidextrous dogs.
• Left-pawed dogs had a lower percentage of granulocytes and lower numbers of gamma-globulins compared to right-pawed and ambidextrous dogs.

Conclusions:

• Brain asymmetry, indicated by paw preference, is associated with modulated immune responses in dogs.
• This study provides the first evidence of a link between brain asymmetry and immune function in canines.
• Findings suggest that lateralisation may play a role in immune system regulation in domestic dogs.