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C‑BARQ: The 14 Behavioral Domains — A Professional Reference
Use this as a trainer/behavior‑pro companion to the infographic. It summarizes what each domain captures, how scoring works, and when to escalate care.
What C‑BARQ measures and how scoring works
C‑BARQ is a validated owner questionnaire that summarizes dog behavior across 14 domains plus a set of miscellaneous items. Responses use a 5‑point Likert scale from 0 to 4; domain scores are the average of their items. A validated 42‑item short form (“mini C‑BARQ”) retains the same 14 domains and is practical for rechecks and large programs.
1 Seldom / Mild
2 Sometimes / Moderate
3 Usually / Marked
4 Always / Severe
Direction: Higher = more of the behavior (Trainability: higher = more trainable; Energy = more active)
The 14 C‑BARQ domains (trainer‑friendly summaries)
Aggression
Stranger‑directed aggression
Threat/display toward unfamiliar people approaching or entering the dog/owner’s space.
Fear
Stranger‑directed fear
Wary/avoidant or startle responses to unfamiliar people during approach or contact.
Aggression
Owner‑directed aggression
Hostility toward familiar people, often during handling, restraint, or resource removal.
Fear
Dog‑directed fear
Anxious/avoidant responses to unfamiliar dogs during approach or proximity.
Aggression
Dog‑directed aggression
Aversive/aggressive responses toward unfamiliar dogs, especially in close encounters.
Fear
Nonsocial fear
Fear of noises, novel objects/environments, traffic, or sudden events.
Aggression
Dog rivalry
Competition/aggression toward cohabiting dogs, often over resources or access to owners.
Anxiety
Separation‑related behavior
Distress when alone: vocalizing, destructiveness, pacing, drooling, appetite loss.
Arousal
Excitability
Large arousal spikes to routine triggers (walks, doorbell) and difficulty settling.
Predatory
Chasing
Tendency to pursue small animals/birds/livestock when opportunities arise.
Sensitivity
Touch sensitivity
Adverse reactions to handling/procedures (grooming, nail trims, bathing, vet exams).
Activity
Energy level
Overall activity/vigor/playfulness across the day (descriptive).
Evidence notes
- C‑BARQ’s 14 domains and definitions are documented by the University of Pennsylvania’s official C‑BARQ site (originally developed and validated in 2003; public online since 2005).
- The long form (≈100 items) uses 0–4 Likert ratings; domain scores are the mean of item scores. A validated 42‑item short form retains all 14 domains and correlates strongly with the long form.
- Large‑scale studies show population and breed‑level patterns, but within‑breed variability is substantial—interpret scores at the individual dog level.
- Pair interpretation with reward‑based training; avoid aversive methods that carry welfare and fallout risks.
References
- University of Pennsylvania. About the C‑BARQ (official domains/definitions). Available at: https://vetapps.vet.upenn.edu/cbarq/about.cfm
- Wilkins J, et al. Validation of the shortened version of the C‑BARQ using Dog Aging Project participants. PLOS ONE. 2024; April 11. Available at: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0299973&type=printable
- Duffy DL, Hsu Y, Serpell JA. Breed differences in canine aggression. Appl Anim Behav Sci. 2008;114:441–460. Available at: https://www.csus.edu/indiv/m/merlinos/pdf/2008breeddifferences.pdf
- Serpell JA, Duffy DL. Predictive models of assistance dog training outcomes using the C‑BARQ. Front Vet Sci. 2019;6:49. Available at: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science/articles/10.3389/fvets.2019.00049/full
- American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB). Position Statement on Humane Dog Training. 2021. Available at: https://avsab.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/AVSAB-Humane-Dog-Training-Position-Statement-2021.pdf