Canines have always been profiled depending on their breed as well as phenotype. Everyone knows that Rottweilers are great with kids and will protect their own to the very last breath, while border collies are extremely agile and highly capable dogs. A short survey of different breeds will show a distinct correlation between said breeds and specific behavioral patterns. The real question is where does this correlation come from and why is it so apparent with certain dog breeds?
The Case of Tasha
Before any serious research, the overall consensus was that different canine traits were hereditary and hardwired to specific dog breeds. It was more or less common knowledge that you can expect a different type of behavior from different dogs. However, in 2005, a number of scientists representing some of the most prestigious research institutions around the world, came together to take a closer look at Tasha – a beautiful 12-year old boxer.
Researchers took DNA samples from Tasha and went on to perform thorough genome sequencing in an effort to see whether specific DNA markers and genes can be correlated to different patterns of behavior.
What they have found left the scientific world with more questions than answers. Tasha’s DNA has shown that canine DNA consists of around 19,000 genes compared to human 22,000 and that around 70% of those have human counterparts.
The research has also shed some light on the relationship between different behavioral patterns and specific genes. Namely, researchers found that specific genome groups could indicate one breed’s affinity towards a specific type of behavior. However, there was no indisputable proof that any gene is specifically causing said behavior.
In other words, canine DNA, while indicative of likely behavioral patterns, can’t be used to fully explain why some dog breeds are tame while others require daily exercise to expend their energy levels. Dog breeds that are often associated with hyperactive behavior can be conditioned to be calm and relaxed given proper training.
A more recent study done by a research team from the University of Arizona in Tucson has further reinforced this conclusion. Researchers led by Evan MacLean have compiled behavioral data related to various canine breeds obtained from Canine Behavioral Assessment & Research Questionnaire (C-BARQ) and concluded that 131 locations in a dog’s genome can be linked to at least one of 14 behavioral patterns. These include anything from fear, dog’s ability to be trained, aggression and others.
Interestingly enough, the research has shown that some traits are more inheritable than others. Namely, the tendency to be aggressive to strangers as well as the dog’s need to chase things are most easily transferred through DNA.
The Human Factor
All of these research projects have only reinforced that human influence on canine species was and still is one of the strongest factors when it comes to any breed’s affinity towards specific behavioral patterns.
Tasha’s DNA and research that occurred in years following her genome sequencing, has shown that canines have residual wolf DNA in various amounts depending on the breed. Through the history of human-canine interaction, we have selectively favored specific traits in dogs.
Dogs that were found to be tame and non-aggressive towards humans were favored over dogs that harder to domesticate. Over time, different human requirements have yielded distinctive canine lineages that expressed various traits. That is how some of the canine breeds came into existence.
One of the more interesting facts about this ages-long process of cultivating specific traits is that such human actions have caused phenotypical mutations in various breeds. Namely, some breeds have developed distinct physical attributes as a result of centuries of selective breeding.
As it turns out, not all of these results are positive. Some may argue that breeds such as Boxers and Bulldogs are genetically stunted in the sense that both breeds have issues with breathing among others.
A Window into Behavioral Psychology
All of the studies dedicated we’ve mentioned above have given us an invaluable insight into the inner workings of canine genetics. However, we have also learned a lot about the effects of behavioral patterns on genetics.
The link between different behavior and specific genes has appeared in other species as well, which includes other animals as well as humans. With that said, the research conducted on dogs can be used as a foundation that will allow us to get a better understanding of our own genetics and personal predisposition for various types of behavior.
Link Between Canines and their Owners
Another interesting conclusion of these research projects proves what most canine owners already knew. You’ve probably heard someone say that dogs tend to take on traits of their owners. The owners emotionally invest themselves, pet the animals, feed them, remove their fleas, etc. The bottom line is, if the owner is showing signs of anxiety, it is often found that their dogs will show similar signs as well.
If there are any conclusions to be drawn from this, it is that dogs are individual beings. We as humans tend to simplify canines based on their breed, oftentimes forcing dogs to meet various stereotypes. Your dog will undoubtedly show affinity toward certain traits and depending on its breed, you might have to pay close attention to that. However, that doesn’t mean that your dog is going to be default aggressive if it’s a pit bull, or that it will be friendly to anyone if it is a Labrador.
It is extremely important to understand the influence we as humans have on our canine friends. Breed-specific traits should be used as guidelines rather than hard set rules when it comes to how we treat dogs. That way you will allow your dog’s unique persona to dictate its behavior, rather than what we think its breed genetics implies.
With that said, there is still so much to learn about canines in general. As far as genetic research goes, we have only scratched the surface. Further studies will give us a much better insight into breed genetics and its impact on canine behavior.
