Journal of Scientific Exploration, Vol. 21, No. 2, pp. 281-293, 2007
An Empirical Study of Some Astrological Factors in Relation to Dog Behaviour Differences by Statistical Analysis and Compared with Human Characteristics
(SUZEL FUZEAU-BRAESCH Universite’ de Paris, Orsay, France)
Abstract-A survey of 500 pedigree dogs was carried out in the Paris region. For each dog, six behavioural traits were determined and ten of their astrological traits were retained. A statistical interpretation of the possible relationships between the two sets of traits was performed based on permutation tests. Two strong associations were detected between the angular positions of Jupiter and the Sun, and the extraversion dominant trait. There were indications of other associations. These associations have a remarkable resemblance to the standard associations usually proposed in „human” astrology.
Keywords: behaviour4ogs and humans-permutation test-astrology-survey
Introduction
For an empirical study, the dog is an appropriate subject for the investigation of possible relationships between birth time and the position of sky elements of the solar system. The precise aim of this study is to see if behavioural differences, attributable to these, appear in two-month-old dogs. There are of course differences between animals and humans but it seems reasonable to describe a dog’s behaviour with the usual descriptions employed by breeders even if these seem anthropomorphic. There is also a recognizable proximity of psychological relationships between dogs and humans compared with other animals (e.g. the cat, the rabbit or the snake).
The first position of the Sun in its ecliptic course, and at the same time, positions of the Moon and planets, the rising (Ascendant) and setting (Descendant) points, the highest (Mid Heaven) and lowest (Nadir) points within the 24 hours of a day were defined. This applied one of the classical tools of astrology, according to which a sky element situated in one of the four described points (= „Angular”, + or -10″) is particularly important in determining be- haviour. It must be emphasized here that, so far, almost no scientific confirmation has been sought for this. Other classical tools of astrology, such as signs of the zodiac related to the seasons, are impossible to investigate due to the irregular fertility of females during the year (most births take place in spring and autumn).
The results obtained for dogs are then compared with those classically described in human astrology.
Methods
Organisation of the survey
A population of 500 pedigree dogs was identified by one of the researchers (S.F.B.). Pedigree dogs were used because breeders are always particularly attentive to the conditions of birth, given the potential value of the pups. Thus, when a female begins to give birth, a breeder will stay patiently by the mother day and night, ready to take the pups, note the time, individual colours and so on. When they sell the young dogs they need very precise information to answer the buyer’s questions. Purchasers frequently want to know the time of birth, the order of births in the litter (was my dog first, second, or last? and so on . . .), how the pup behaved in its first few days and weeks of life. As the pups must live with their mother and cannot be sold until they are two months old, their behaviour is very well documented over this period. Every breeder of pedigree dogs keeps a very precise diary, where all this information is carefully entered for each animal, the individuals being identified either by colour differences (zones, patches, spots and so on) or in the case of uniform coloration, by means of a cropped area of the coat. (The official book, called „LOF” in France, records pedigrees and births.)
It was decided to use different breeds of pedigree dogs to prevent any bias linked to a given breed. They were: Bearded Collie, Belgian Shepherd, King Charles Spaniel, Chihuahua, Coton of Tulear, French Bulldog, German Shepherd, Labrador, Lhassa Apso, Malinois, Poodle, Sharpei, Shitzu, Tibetan Spaniel, and Yorkshire Terrier. Geographically, the kennels were all in the Paris area to ensure easy contact with the breeders. The breeders who agreed to participate have no special knowledge of, or interest in, astrology. Over a period of five years, a total of 100 litters were investigated, from two to eight pups in each, for a total of 500 pups. Twelve breeders participated (see acknowledgments).
Read more: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.567.2864&rep=rep1&type=pdf
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