cynophobia

thumb|Illustration of a man keeping away from dogs atop a wall Cynophobia (from the kýōn 'dog' and 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.

== Diagnosis == The DSM-IV-TR provides the following criteria for the diagnosis of a specific phobia: the persistent fear of an object or situation exposure to the feared object provokes an immediate anxiety response adult patients recognize that the fear is excessive, unreasonable or irrational (this is not always the case with children) exposure to the feared object is most often avoided altogether or is endured with dread the fear interferes significantly with daily activities (social, familial, occupational, etc.) minor patients (those under the age of 18) have symptoms lasting for at least six months anxiety, panic attacks or avoidance cannot be accounted for by another mental disorder