A study on Labradors reveals that high genetic risk for obesity correlates with behaviors such as begging for food. Chocolate Labradors, while popular pets, have a distinct genetic predisposition to obesity compared to other colors. Interestingly, some guide dogs, often trained for their food motivation, may also carry this genetic risk. The findings suggest that selective breeding might inadvertently favor dogs that are more prone to obesity, echoing similar genetic correlations found in humans, where a high genetic risk leads to greater appetite and interest in food.
We've long known chocolate-colored Labradors are prone to being overweight, and I've often heard people say that's because they're really popular as pets for young families with toddlers that throw food on the floor all the time and where dogs are just not given that much attention.
Our results raise the intriguing possibility that we may have inadvertently selected dogs prone to obesity, dogs that really like their food, because that makes them a little bit more trainable.
The impact high genetic risk has on dogs leads to increased appetite. It makes them more interested in food. Exactly the same is true in humans.
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