Music

Very important study says dogs like reggae

by Jeremy Mersereau

One question about man’s best friend has endured throughout the ages: what kind of music do dogs like best? Baha Men? Laurie Anderson? Gabe the Dog (RIP) bork remixes? Well, we don’t have to wonder any more: we now have a definitive answer, thanks to a new study from University of Glasgow researchers.

Working with the Scottish SPCA, the researchers played different genres of music to a group of dogs, while monitoring their  heart rate and behaviour. Genres played included soft rock, Motown, pop, reggae and classical, with significant decrease in the dogs’ stress levels becoming apparent with reggae and soft rock music in particular.

Although those genres were on average the most effective at soothing the animals across the board, researchers noted that each individual dog responded differently to the various tunes being played, suggesting that each dog had its in own individual music taste. They’re just like us! Note to self: get a dog that’s really into power electronics and harsh noise.

In general, music as a whole was effective in calming the dogs, with the researchers noting that the dogs spent “significantly more time lying and significantly less time standing” whenever music was playing, regardless of genre.

Thanks to the study, the Scottish SPCA noted that it would be investing in soundsystems for its kennels to help soothe its residents. “n the future every centre will be able to offer our four-footed friends a canine-approved playlist, with the view to extending this research to other species in our care,” said Gilly Mendes Ferreira of the SPCA.

Next up: determining which reggae outfit is the doggies’ favourite. I think we can all make an educated guess at what their least favourite band is, though.

[H/T BBC]