What The Duck?!

The influence of selective breeding by humans has created a doggo for every occasion, but it's not without problematic results.
Some breeds have breathing difficulties, hip problems, aggression, or anxiety. There are dogs with ADHD and others with depression.
Does our longest-term relationship need couples therapy?
Featuring:
Dr. Annika Bremhorst, founder of Dogs and Science, and canine scientist at the University of Bern
Professor Clive Wynne, animal psychologist, Arizona State University
Dr. Mia Cobb, Chaser Innovation Research Fellow (Canine Welfare Science), Animal Welfare Science Centre at the University of Melbourne
Professor Chris Johnson, the University of Tasmania
Michael Worboys, Emeritus Professor at the University of Manchester
With thanks to Paula Pérez Fraga at Eötvös Loránd University, Hungary for audio from Family pigs' and dogs' reactions to human emotional vocalizations:a citizen science study
Further reading:
Associations between Domestic-Dog Morphology and Behaviour Scores in the Dog Mentality Assessment
Solitary working hunting dogs show a higher tendency for magnetic alignment, with decreased alignment in older dogs
Production:
Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer
Nat Tencic, Producer
Rebecca McLaren, Producer
Jacinta Bowler, Producer
Petria Ladgrove, Executive Producer
This episode of What the Duck?! was originally broadcast in 2025 and was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung, Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and Taungurung people.
Find more episodes of the ABC podcast, What the Duck?! with the always curious Dr Ann Jones exploring the mysteries of nature on the ABC Listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. You'll learn more about the weird and unusual aspects of our natural world in a quirky, fun way with easy to understand science.

This is the story of the domesticated animal that feralised itself.
Where did dingoes come from and when?
Where does a wild dog stop and a dingo begin?
How much can genetics really tell us about Australia's only native dog — and how long do you have to live somewhere to be 'native'?
Featuring:
Professor Clive Wynne, animal psychologist, Arizona State University
Dr Angela Perri, zooarchaeologist, Chronicle Heritage
Kelly Ann Blake, Wadawurrung woman, and Jack the Dingo
Professor Greger Larson, evolutionary genomics at the University of Oxford
Professor Euan Ritchie, Professor of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation at Deakin University
Production:
Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer
Nat Tencic, Producer
Rebecca McLaren, Producer
Jacinta Bowler, Producer
Petria Ladgrove, Executive Producer
This episode of What the Duck?! was originally broadcast in 2025 and was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung, Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and Taungurung people.
Find more episodes of the ABC podcast, What the Duck?! with the always curious Dr Ann Jones exploring the mysteries of nature on the ABC Listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. You'll learn more about the weird and unusual aspects of our natural world in a quirky, fun way with easy to understand science.

Are puppy dog eyes really a sign of love, or does Fido just want a lil snack?
Can dogs really "speak" by pressing talking buttons, or do they just make great content for TikTok?
There's more to canine communication than howls and growls — and a wagging tail could be telling you more than you think.
Featuring:
Dr. Mia Cobb, Chaser Innovation Research Fellow (Canine Welfare Science), Animal Welfare Science Centre at the University of Melbourne
Professor Clive Wynne, animal psychologist, Arizona State University
Associate professor Federico Rossano director of the comparative cognition lab at the University of California San Diego
Production:
Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer
Nat Tencic, Producer
Rebecca McLaren, Producer
Petria Ladgrove, Executive Producer
This episode of What the Duck?! was originally broadcast in 2025 and was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung, Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and Taungurung people.
Find more episodes of the ABC podcast, What the Duck?! with the always curious Dr Ann Jones exploring the mysteries of nature on the ABC Listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. You'll learn more about the weird and unusual aspects of our natural world in a quirky, fun way with easy to understand science.

'Man's best friend' sure sounds better than 'obligatory symbiont', but what are the true dynamics at play?
There's no denying the bond people feel and the attachment dogs have for their humans, but if we put that beautiful relationship under scientific scrutiny, does it hold up?
Can any dog go 'full Lassie' if you (or Timmy) get stuck down a well?
Will your dog save you?
Featuring:
Professor Clive Wynne, animal psychologist, Arizona State University
Dr. Mia Cobb, Chaser Innovation Research Fellow (Canine Welfare Science), Animal Welfare Science Centre at the University of Melbourne
Professor Chris Johnson, the University of Tasmania
Dr. Annika Bremhorst, founder of Dogs and Science, and canine scientist at the University of Bern
Further reading:
Importance of a species' socioecology: Wolves outperform dogs in a conspecific cooperation task
Pet dogs release their trapped and distressed owners: Individual variation and evidence of emotional contagion
Good dog! Using livestock guardian dogs to protect livestock from predators in Australia's extensive grazing systems
Production:
Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer
Nat Tencic, Producer
Rebecca McLaren, Producer
Petria Ladgrove, Executive Producer
This episode of What the Duck?! was originally broadcast in May and was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung, Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and Taungurung people.
Find more episodes of the ABC podcast, What the Duck?! with the always curious Dr Ann Jones exploring the mysteries of nature on the ABC Listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. You'll learn more about the weird and unusual aspects of our natural world in a quirky, fun way with easy to understand science.

There's designer clothes, but they have nothing on designer dogs!
They come in a huge range of shapes and colours and sizes, from the tiny Chihuahua to the Great Dane.
In the animal world this much variation usually means different species, but not for dogs — so where did they all come from?
And what role did Victorian-era rats play in the development of 'breed standards'?
Featuring:
Joyce Sullivan, papillon breeder
Wayne Douglas OAM, Afghan Hound breeder
Esther Joseph, all breeds judge
Michael Worboys emeritus professor the University of Manchester
Professor Greger Larson, evolutionary genomics at the University of Oxford
Dr Angela Perri, zooarchaeologist, Chronicle Heritage
Dr. Elaine Ostrander, geneticist at National Institutes of Health (US)
Dr Heidi Parker, geneticist at National Institutes of Health (US)
Further reading:
Canine Genomics and Genetics: Running with the Pack
The invention of the basset hound: breed, blood and the late Victorian dog fancy
Production:
Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer
Nat Tencic, Producer
Rebecca McLaren, Producer
Petria Ladgrove, Executive Producer
This episode of What the Duck?! was originally broadcast in May and was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung, Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and Taungurung people.
Find more episodes of the ABC podcast, What the Duck?! with the always curious Dr Ann Jones exploring the mysteries of nature on the ABC Listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. You'll learn more about the weird and unusual aspects of our natural world in a quirky, fun way with easy to understand science.