Evolutionary and Neurobiological Determinants of Exploratory Behaviour in Domestic Dog (Canis familiaris): Insights from Selected Hunting Breed Groups

The aim of this review is to summarize current knowledge on the evolutionary and neurobiological determinants of exploratory behaviour in the domestic dog (Canis familiaris) and to examine how these processes are reflected in the exploratory strategies of selected hunting breed groups classified within FCI Groups VI, VII, and VIII. The influence of domestication and long-term artificial selection on the development of behavioural traits, socio-cognitive abilities, and sensory predispositions of modern dog breeds is discussed. Particular attention is given to the neurobiological mechanisms underlying exploratory behaviour, including the roles of the reward system, hippocampus, olfactory pathways, and brain structures involved in emotional regulation. The roles of olfactory, visual, and auditory sensory systems in exploratory behaviour are discussed, and commonly used methods for its assessment, including the Open Field Test (OFT) and the Free Choice paradigm, are reviewed. Special emphasis is placed on behavioural variation among breeds belonging to FCI Groups VI, VII, and VIII. These groups represent distinct exploratory strategies shaped by their historical working functions, ranging from predominantly olfactory-based exploration in scent hounds, through active searching of open environments in pointing dogs, to multimodal exploration of terrestrial and aquatic environments in retrievers, flushing dogs, and water dogs. The practical implications of exploratory behaviour for canine welfare in contemporary human environments are also discussed. The available evidence indicates that exploratory behaviour in dogs arises from the interaction of evolutionary adaptations, neurobiological mechanisms, and functional selection, while the diversity of exploratory strategies observed among hunting breed groups reflects their historical working specialization.