Long-term retention of kinship recognition established during infancy in the domestic dog.

摘要: The ability of the domestic dog to recognise its kin, and retain this information once acquired, was studied in paper. Dogs were examined for their siblings, offspring mother, mothers offspring, using a series two choice tests. results revealed that, at 4-5.5 weeks age, pups can siblings offspring. preference age appears be strongest mother. Olfactory cues are sufficient recognition take place. At approximately 2 years having been separated from 8-12 after birth, able now adult these could mothers. Siblings only one another if they had living with sibling (not test animal). on own unable siblings. Thus dogs retaining period case mother-offspring. It is suggested that mother-offspring recognised by different mechanisms.