"They say dogs are like their owners - and a new study shows it's truer than ever. Experts have discovered that golden retrievers and humans share genes which make them more likely to be anxious. The research is the first to show that specific genes linked to canine behaviour are also linked to traits like depression and intelligence in people. And it could help owners understand their pets even better - especially when they display bad behaviour."
"One finding was that dogs displaying 'non-social fear' - such as being scared or anxious of things like buses or vacuums - have a gene that in humans drives sensitivity and 'seeing the doctor for anxiety'. Meanwhile a gene linked to 'trainability' in golden retrievers is associated with intelligence and emotional sensitivity in humans. The team analysed the genetic code of 1,300 golden retrievers and compared it with each dog's behavioural traits assessed"
A genetic analysis of 1,300 golden retrievers linked specific genes to behaviors including trainability, energy levels, fear of strangers, non-social fear, and aggression towards other dogs. Twelve of the canine genes also map to human behavioral traits and emotions such as depression, intelligence, sensitivity, and prolonged worry after embarrassment. Specific genes include PTPN1, associated with dog-directed aggression in retrievers and with intelligence and depression in humans, and other loci tied to non-social fear and trainability that correspond to human anxiety sensitivity and educational attainment. Findings suggest shared genetic influences on emotion and behavior across species.
Read at Mail Online
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