Is a pit bull more aggressive? And is a bulldog necessarily calm and gentle? These preconceptions about dog behavior are dying out hard. However, analysis of thousands of dog genomes, along with owners ’observations, shows that a dog’s breed alone cannot determine its behavior.
In their work, researchers Elinor Karlsson and Kathleen Yates of MIT’s Broad Institute (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) used genome-wide association studies to look for common genetic variations that could predict individual behavioral traits in 2155 purebred and mixed breed dogs.
They then combined this information into 18,385 responses listed in an open database (Darwin’s arch) focused on dog behaviors reported by their owners.
The results of these studies, which included data from 78 races, identified 11 variations in DNA sequences that were strongly associated with the behaviors, but none of the they are race specific.
Our results refute the hypothesis that some races are more aggressive, more obedient or more affectionate than others.note in a press release the authors of this work, its details are published in the journal Science (New window) (in English). Link-analysis
This research confirms the conclusions of a meta-analysis published in 2015 (New window) brings together four decades of studies focused on the inheritance of the behavioral traits of dog breeds.
All studies on the subject say the same thing. This is the most comprehensive and complex conducted on the issue to date.said Dr. David Silversides, professor in the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Montreal.
The results of the study show that breed explains only 9% of the variation in behavior in individual dogs. For some habits and some survey questions, the age or gender of the dog are better predictors of behavior.
This work has also shown that behavioral traits associated with modern races are influenced by several genes, as well as by the environment, and are found, to varying degrees, in all races.
From wolf to dog
A study published in NatureCommunication (New window) (in English) in 2017 showed that dog domestication would occur between 20,000 and 40,000 years before our era from the same population of domesticated wolves.
Initially, dogs were likely chosen for very specific tasks such as game hunting or cattle herding.
Most of the behaviors we consider characteristics of some modern dog breeds are likely the result of thousands of years of evolution, from wolves to wild dogs, then to pet dogs, and finally to modern races.said Elinor Karlsson.
Man -shaped races
The current pure race only emerged in the 1800s as a result of genetic manipulation whose goal was to meet a physical ideal and maintain the purity of the lineage.
Current races are assigned traits and behaviors based on the estimated functioning of their ancestral population. By extension, the breed of dog is assumed to predict its temperament and behavior.dispute of the authors.
This popular assumption has led some municipalities to pass laws banning certain breeds following high-profile incidents involving aggressive dogs.
Dr Silversides believes that these prohibitions are often overlooked because they are not based on science. We are always looking for simple solutionshe says. We are not saying that genetics is not involved, but in current methods [pour les phénotypes complexes comme les comportements]it is not clear that one can identify a region in the genome responsible for a behaviorexplanation by Professor Silversides.
” A quick test [comme pour la COVID] would be the solution! But there is no quick test to assess the dog’s genetics. “
In contrast, environmental and social factors that contribute to good (and bad) dog behavior are known. For example, a dog’s lack of socialization can cause problems with the presence of other animals or strangers. He can be stressful, anxious, but also aggressive.
It is therefore necessary to conduct an individual examination of a dog’s behavior to find out if it shows behavioral problems. And you also need to educate the owners, because bad behavior is not related to race.said Dr. Silversides.
The Order of Veterinary Physicians of Quebec also offers training to its members to improve their knowledge in their assessment of dog hazard which is increasingly demanded by municipalities and must be performed by a veterinarian.
Source: Radio-Canada
