Dr John Bradshaw

Summary

My research interests centre on the behaviour and welfare of domestic cats and dogs, and their relationships with people.  Over the past two decades this has included: separation disorders in dogs; the welfare of kennelled dogs; the role of olfaction in dogs' location of hidden objects; the psychology of dog-handler interactions; the interpretation of "play" behaviour in dogs and cats; cat domestication; the development of "personality" in cats; the effects of human factors on cat population dynamics. 

Video: speaking about research into anthropomorphism and emotional support at ISAZ 2012.

Biography

My current professional focus is on making the science of anthrozoology accessible to pet owners, through books and other media  - click on the Impact tab for more detail.

I was formerly Reader in Companion Animal Behaviour and University Research Theme Leader for Animal Welfare & Behaviour at the University of Bristol.  My previous academic post was a Senior Research Fellowship at the University of Southampton (1987-2003), where I founded the Anthrozoology Institute.

I was one of the founders of the International Society for Anthrozoology (ISAZ), and formerly acted as Science Chair for the International Association of Human-Animal Interactions Organisation (IAHAIO).  I have been a member of the Council of the Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour (ASAB) and served as Secretary for its Accreditation Committee from 1999-2003: I am currently responsible for course validation for that Committee.

Activities / Findings

My current research concerns the evolutionary psychology of the pet-owner bond, including studies of anthropomorphism.  I am also involved as an advisor on a number of research projects in the Animal Welfare and Behaviour Group, including the welfare and behaviour of working dogs, and applied cat population dynamics.

Teaching

I give lectures on the BSc in Animal Behaviour & Welfare (years 2 and 3), and on the HE Certificate in Companion Animal Welfare and Behavioural Rehabilitation.  Formerly I was responsible for the third-year projects on the AB&W degree.  I have supervised more than 20 PhD students to completion, many of whom have gone on to successful careers in animal welfare science.

With Drs Rachel Casey and Sarah Brown, I have recently completed the second edition of my textbook "The Behaviour of the Domestic Cat" (CAB International, 2012).

Keywords

• anthrozoology
• animal behaviour
• animal welfare
• dog
• cat

Memberships

Organisations

Farm Animal Science

Research areas

• Animal Welfare and Behaviour

Recent publications

• Blackwell, E, Bradshaw, JWS & Casey, RA 2013, ‘Fear responses to noises in domestic dogs: Prevalence, risk factors and co-occurrence with other fear related behaviour’. Applied Animal Behaviour Science.
• Blackwell, E, Bodnariu, A, Tyson, J, Bradshaw, J & Casey, R 2010, ‘Rapid shaping of behaviour by food reward associated with high urinary cortisol in domestic dogs in a novel environment’. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, vol 124., pp. 113 - 120
• Pluijmakers, J, Appleby, D & Bradshaw, J 2010, ‘Exposure to video images between 3 and 5 weeks of age decreases neophobia in domestic dogs’. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, vol 126(1-2)., pp. 51 - 58
• Bradshaw, J, Blackwell, E & Casey, R 2009, ‘Dominance in domestic dogs: useful construct or bad habit?’. Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research, vol 4., pp. 135 - 144
• Rooney, N, Gaines, S, Denham, H & Bradshaw, J 2009, ‘Response to a standardised psychogenic stressor as an indicator of welfare status’. Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research, vol 4(2)., pp. 77 - 78
• Casey, R, Vandenbussche, S, Bradshaw, J & Roberts, M 2009, ‘Reasons for relinquishment and return of domestic cats (Felis silvestris catus) to rescue shelters in the U.K’. Anthrozoos, vol 22., pp. 347 - 358
• Rooney, N, Gaines, S, Denham, H & Bradshaw, J 2009, ‘Response to a standardised psychogenic stressor as an indicator of welfare status’. in: 6th International Working Dog Conference, Ieper, Belgium 12-15 May.
• Rooney, N, Gaines, S, Hiby, E & Bradshaw, J 2009, ‘The welfare of working dogs’. in: 6th International Working Dog Conference, Ieper, Belgium, 12-15 May.
• Casey, R & Bradshaw, J 2008, ‘The effects of additional socialisation for kittens in a rescue centre on their behaviour and suitability as a pet’. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, vol 114., pp. 196 - 205
• Casey, R & Bradshaw, J 2008, ‘Owner compliance and clinical outcome measures for domestic cats undergoing clinical behaviour therapy’. Journal of Veterinary Behavior, vol 3., pp. 114 - 124

View complete publications list in the University of Bristol publications system