A research team from several U.S. institutions has identified genes linked to behavioral differences between dog breeds, according to a study published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B. The researchers analyzed data from two dog genotyping databases, including assessments of 14,000 dogs' behavioral traits from the C-BARQ database.
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Different dog breeds exhibit distinct behaviors; some are aggressive while others are easily trained or show herding instincts. In their study, the researchers aimed to locate parts of the dog genome associated with these behavioral traits. By comparing information from the two databases, they identified candidate genes responsible for various behavioral characteristics.
The researchers found that genes related to traits like chasing, aggression, and trainability accounted for about 60 to 70 percent of the variability observed between breeds. In contrast, genes linked to traits such as fearfulness or energy levels were less distinct, likely due to a greater influence from environmental factors and training. They concluded that behavior is affected by multiple genes rather than any single gene, and emphasized the significant role the environment plays in shaping dogs' behaviors.
Additionally, the researchers cautioned that their findings reflected averages, meaning individual dogs of the same breed may not exhibit the expected behaviors. The study highlights the complex interplay of genetics and environment in dog behavior.