Dogs happiest when listening to reggae
Dogs are happiest when they are listening to reggae music and soft rock.
Many pet owners leave classical music on for their dogs when they leave them home alone. Now, new research suggests they prefer to listen to something that packs a bit more punch.
According to a study by the University of Glasgow and the Scottish SPCA, dogs are happiest when they are listening to reggae music and soft rock.
The two genres were found to show the most positive change in behaviour and the animal charity is now looking to invest in sound systems for all their kennels.
PhD student Amy Bowman said that the research clearly shows that music has an effect on a dog’s behaviour.
“We were keen to explore the effect playing different genres of music had, and it was clear that the physiological and behavioural changes observed were maintained during the trial when the dogs were exposed to a variety of music,” she said.
Professor Neil Evans added: “Overall, the response to different genres was mixed highlighting the possibility that like humans, our canine friends have their own individual music preferences.
“That being said, reggae music and soft rock showed the highest positive changes in behaviour.”
This latest research follows a study by the Scottish SPCA in 2015 that showed the impact classical music had on a dog’s behaviour.
Both the Edinburgh and Glasgow SPCA Centres already play music into their kennels. But the charity hopes every centre will soon be able to offer its furry friends a canine-approved playlist.
The research was published in the journal Physiology and Behaviour.
The BSAVA has opened submissions for the BSAVA Clinical Research Abstracts 2026.
