A new study suggests that dogs living in a countryside location like Exmouth are less fearful than dogs living in cities, such as Exeter.

City dogs are more fearful than their country cousins, mirroring urban humans who suffer greater mental health problems than those elsewhere, a new study shows.

Generally smaller dogs and neutered females suffered most, though a few particular breeds of small dog did well and Shetland Sheepdogs were one of the most fearful.

Dr Jenni Puurunen, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Helsinki in Finland, said: "This has not actually been previously investigated in dogs.

"What we do know is that human mental health problems occur more frequently in the city than in rural areas.

"However, further studies are needed before any more can be said about causes pertaining to the living environment."

The researchers looked at behavioural data from 6,000 dogs and concluded that less active dogs tended to be more fearful.

They also concluded that lack of training, stimulus and socialisation as puppies were also important factors.

Researchers noted significant differences between dog breeds, with Wheaten Terriers among the bravest.

Smaller dogs such as the Cairn Terrier and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi also featured among the brave, showing little fearfulness towards other dogs.

While Spanish Water Dogs and Shetland Sheepdogs showed social fearfulness the most.

Professor Hannes Lohi, also from the University of Helsinki's Faculty of Veterinary Medicine said: "Differences between breeds support the notion that genes have an effect on fearfulness, as well as on many other mental health problems.

"This encourages us to carry out further research especially in terms of heredity."

Social fearfulness was demonstrated to be more common among neutered females and small dogs, in line with previous studies.

Alongside size and gender, the new research also found activity to be another factor linked to fearfulness and speculated whether this was due to cause or a consequence.

Fearful dogs were less active than bolder ones, and their owners also involved them in training and other activities significantly less often.

Prof Lohi said: "Activity and stimuli have already been found to have a positive effect on behaviour, in both dogs and humans.

"Of course, the lesser activity of fearful dogs can also be down to their owners wanting to avoid exposing their dogs to stressful situations. It may be that people just are not as active with fearful dogs."

Fearfulness is one of the most common behavioural disorders in dogs. As an emotion, it is a normal and vital reaction that helps people survive in threatening circumstances.

When the fearfulness is excessive and disturbs the dog's life, it is referred to as a behavioural problem.

Excessive fearfulness can significantly impair the dog's welfare, and it is also known to weaken the relationship between dog and owner.

Prof Lohi added: "All in all, this study provides us with tools to improve the welfare of our best friend – diverse socialisation in puppyhood, an active lifestyle and carefully made breeding choices can significantly decrease social fearfulness."

Prof Lohi's group investigates the epidemiology of canine behaviour, as well as related environmental and genetic factors and metabolic changes.

Based on the survey, scientists found the strongest links between social fearfulness and the inadequate socialisation of puppies to various situations and stimuli.

A dog's living environment also seemed to make a difference, as dogs living in cities were found to be more fearful than dogs living in the countryside.

The findings were published in the journal Scientific Reports.