Cynophobia

Cynophobia (from the Greek: κύων kýōn 'dog' and φόβος phóbos 'fear') is the fear of dogs, wolves and canines in general. Cynophobia is classified as a specific phobia, under the subtype "animal phobias". According to Timothy O. Rentz of the Laboratory for the Study of Anxiety Disorders at the University of Texas, animal phobias are among the most common of the specific phobias and 36% of patients who seek treatment report being afraid of dogs or afraid of cats. Although ophidiophobia or arachnophobia are more common animal phobias, cynophobia is especially debilitating because of the high prevalence of dogs, for example there are an estimated 62 million pet dogs in the United States, and the general ignorance of dog owners to the phobia. Cynophobia is especially problematic for people who live in or visit countries where there are numerous free-ranging dogs; for example it is estimated that there are 62 million free-ranging dogs in India. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR) reports that only 12% to 30% of those with a specific phobia will seek treatment.