Paris - Dogs become sweet-tempered and relaxed when they listen to classical music but put up a howl when they listen to heavy metal, according to researchers.
Animal behaviouralists led by Deborah Wells of Queen's University in Belfast, Northern Ireland, exposed 50 canines in a dog shelter to four different types of noise.
The pooches were given either a middle-of-the-road pop compilation that included Britney Spears and Robbie Williams; a "best of classical" CD; a radio programme which only had human conversation; or an album by heavy-metal rockers Metallica.
The dogs became agitated and barked a lot when listening to Metallica but became quiet and lay down more when they listened to the classics. Pop music and the human voice seemed to make little difference to how they behaved.
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The study is reported in Animal Welfare, a specialist British quarterly.
Previous studies have already suggested that classical music boosts egg production in factory hens and milk production in cows but this is believed to be the first to apply to dogs.
Wells said the findings supported the use of soothing music in human environments too.
"We know that classical music results in decreased stress, decreased agitation, improved mood, improved performance in certain things as well," she said.
"So there is certainly scope for using classic music in potentially stressful environments, such as dentists' waiting rooms, hospital waiting areas, airports and so on."
She added: "It is well established that music can influence our moods. Dogs may be as discerning as humans when it comes to musical preference." - Sapa-AFP
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