Age-graded dominance hierarchies and social tolerance in packs of free-ranging dogs

Abstract

Lay SummaryContrary to the view that social dominance is a wolf feature that was lost by dogs during domestication, we found that Italian free-ranging dogs live in packs with a stable membership and with a clear hierarchical social structure. Moreover, as in wolves and other cooperative animals in which group members rely on the guidance of experienced companions, high social status in dogs was mainly held by elders, and agonistic interactions were highly ritualized.