Data Analysis/Results

Table 1, table 2, graph 1, and graph 2 all show the results of a study
conducted to measure saliva production in drops of drool per minute among
five different breeds of dogs. In addition to the drops of drool, data was
collected for average weight in pounds for each dog. Table 1 shows the
results of 10 trials for each breed of dog.

Table 1: Drops of Drool per Minute by Dog Breed

Great Dane Chihuaha St. Bernard Golden Retriever Toy poodle

3 0 5 4 1
3 1 6 3 2
3 0 8 3 1
2 1 7 4 1
4 0 8 3 1
3 0 8 4 1
2 1 8 4 2
3 1 7 4 1
3 1 6 3 1
4 1 8 4 2

The best value was calculated for each dog breed by taking the average of
the ten trials. The averages are shown below in Table 2.

Table 2: Average Drops of Drool per Minute by Dog Breed

Dog Breed Average Saliva Production

Great Dane 3
Chihuaha 0.6
St. Bernard 7.1
Golden Retriever 3.6
Toy Poodle 1.3

On average, the St. Bernard produced the most saliva at 7.1 drops of drool
per minute, while the Chihuaha produced the least saliva at 0.6 drops of
drool per minute. The Golden Retriever and Great Dane were fairly close in
averages, at 3.6 and 3 drops of drool per minute respectively. The Toy
Poodle produced 1.3 drops of drool per minute on average, just above the
Chihuaha. Graph 1 shows the averages for each dog breed.
Graph 1:
Saliva Production by Breed

10

6
Great Dane
Chihuaha
5 St. Bernard
Golden Retriever
Toy Poodle
4

drops
3 of drool per minute

0
Average Saliva Production
breed of dog

Variations among the trials created some uncertainty, as observed in the error
bars above. Table 3 shows the uncertainty and true value ranges by breed for
drops of drool per minute.

Table 3: Uncertainty and True Value Ranges by Dog Breed

(measured by drops of drool per minute)
Great Dane Chihuaha St. Bernard Golden Retriever Toy poodle
average 3 0.6 7.1 3.6 1.3
uncertainty 1 0.5 1.5 0.5 0.5
range 2-4 0.1-1.1 5.6-8.6 3.1-4.1 0.8-1.8

When compared using error bars to note uncertainty, it is clear that the St.
Bernard has the greatest amount of saliva production of between 5.6 and 8.6
drops of drool per minute. The second saliva producer is a tie between the
Golden Retriever, at between 3.1 and 4.1 drops of drool per minute and the
Great Dane, at 2 to 4 drops of drool per minute. The best value ranges
overlap between 4 and 4.1 drops of drool per minute, which is a small
amount, but still makes it difficult to decide which is the greater saliva
producer. Third place in saliva production is the Toy Poodle, at 0.8 to 1.8
drops of drool per minute, and the Chihuaha, at 0.1-1.1 drops of drool per
minute. Both the Toy Poodle and the Chihuaha overlap between 0.8 and 1.1
drops of drool per minute. It is also important to consider the relationship
between the average weight in pounds and the amount of saliva produced by
each breed. In Table 4 and Graph 2 below, the relationship between weight
and saliva production is shown.

Table 4: Average Drops of Drool per Minute and Average Weight in Pounds
for Each Dog Breed
Dog Breed Average Saliva Production Average weight
Great Dane 3 108
Chihuaha 0.6 6
St. Bernard 7.1 122
Golden Retriever 3.6 78
Toy Poodle 1.3 8

Graph 2:
Average Weight by Dog Breed

140

120

100

80

Average weight

60
weight in pounds

40

20

0
Great Dane Chihuaha St. Bernard Golden Retriever Toy Poodle
Dog Breed

Factoring in the average weight in pounds helps to understand the

relationship between body size and saliva production. The dog breed with
the greatest body weight is also the St. Bernard, which is 14 pounds heavier
than any other breed.
It is possible that some sources of error exist, as the measurement of
dog drool was incredibly difficult. Dogs are not willing subjects for this type
of experiment, and it was difficult to collect the drool. Much of the drool
ended up on the scientists measuring the data.
Based on the data collected in this experiment, one can conclude that
the larger the dog breed in average weight in pounds, the greater the saliva
production in drops of drool per minute. It was statistically significant the
the St. Bernard had both the greatest body weight, at 122 pounds, and also
the most saliva production at 5.6 to 8.6 drops of drool per minute.