Do dogs prefer Bach to Britney?

Dogs prefer Bach to Britney

NewScientist.com news service

Dogs are more relaxed and well-behaved when listening to classical music, rather than pop or heavy metal, according to a new behavioural study. The researchers say the results could help dog pounds work out the best play list for calming their canines.

"We had no reason to think that dogs should find classical music more relaxing," says Deborah Wells at Queen's University in Belfast, Northern Ireland, who led the research.

There have been numerous studies on animal reactions to music, including one finding that cows produce more milk when they are played slower tunes and another that playing a radio increases egg production in hens. But Wells say her work is the first investigation of dogs.

The researchers studied the reactions of 50 dogs to different types of music at the National Canine Defence League's Rehoming Centre in Evesham, Worcestershire, UK.

They played either a pop compilation CD (including Britney Spears, Robbie Williams and Bob Marley), a classical CD (including Grieg's Morning, Vivaldi's Four Seasons and Beethoven's Ode to Joy), a Metallica album or a recording of human conversation. There was also a silent control.

Metal dogs

The dogs made most noise when listening to Metallica. But classical music calmed them down, making them rest more and stand up less. Ironically, Bach (as well as the other classics) had them barking least of all. Pop music made little difference to their behaviour, compared with silence.

Becky Blackmore, head of kennels at Battersea Dogs Home in London, UK, says they already use music to keep their four legged guests content. "It does have a calming effect," she says. "But we avoid very loud music and anything raucous."

At Battersea they play "middle of the road" pop as well as classical music, but she says that variety is crucial. "If you just play them Classic FM all day they quickly filter it out and ignore it."
The limit on the volume control will for once be broken at the dogs home on 5th November, because of a large fireworks display. The pyrotechnics frighten the animals, says Blackmore: "We have terrible problems, so we'll have pretty loud music playing to distract the dogs."

Journal reference: Animal Welfare (vol 11, p 385)

James Randerson

That doesn't surprise me in the least. I know they've done study after study with plants and music and invariably plants grow toward speakers playing classical music and grow away from pop, heavy metal, and rap.

Classical, I think, calms humans down too. I did a little survey of my own in my classroom one year and one week I played rock music while they worked and the next I played classical (wow did they complain), and their scores increased the week I played classical and they were better behaved. I don't know if that was because the music calmed them down or they hated it so much they ignored it and did their work! ;)