Researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery that may shed light on why our personalities are linked to specific genes, and also apply to dogs. The study found that many of the genes associated with dog behavior in different breeds share similarities with human personality traits.
According to scientists at Cambridge University, they analyzed data from over 1,000 golden retrievers and discovered a number of genes linked to various behaviors in these dogs. Notably, about half of these genes have counterparts in the human genome that are also associated with specific behavioral traits.
While it is encouraging to find common ground between humans and animals, there's an added layer of complexity. In many cases, the same genetic variant is associated not just with the expected dog behavior but other unrelated behaviors in both species.
The researchers used a study on golden retrievers where owners filled out annual surveys about their dogs' behavior. They then scanned the dogs' genomes for variants linked to specific traits and compared them to human ratings of similar behaviors. This comparison revealed a dozen genetic sites associated with behavioral differences between humans and dogs.
For example, the gene related to touch sensitivity in golden retrievers was also found to be linked to aggression towards owners. However, this finding has sparked further investigation into how these genes interact with environment and experience to shape behavior.
According to scientists at Cambridge University, they analyzed data from over 1,000 golden retrievers and discovered a number of genes linked to various behaviors in these dogs. Notably, about half of these genes have counterparts in the human genome that are also associated with specific behavioral traits.
While it is encouraging to find common ground between humans and animals, there's an added layer of complexity. In many cases, the same genetic variant is associated not just with the expected dog behavior but other unrelated behaviors in both species.
The researchers used a study on golden retrievers where owners filled out annual surveys about their dogs' behavior. They then scanned the dogs' genomes for variants linked to specific traits and compared them to human ratings of similar behaviors. This comparison revealed a dozen genetic sites associated with behavioral differences between humans and dogs.
For example, the gene related to touch sensitivity in golden retrievers was also found to be linked to aggression towards owners. However, this finding has sparked further investigation into how these genes interact with environment and experience to shape behavior.
! Like "the truth is rarely pure and never simple" , the more we learn about genetics and behavior, the more complex it gets 
. If half of the genes linked to dog behavior have counterparts in humans, that's both exciting and unsettling at the same time 
. I mean, what does this say about how we raise our pets vs ourselves? Is there a similar "nurture vs nature" debate going on here? And if so, how do we balance those forces to create happy, healthy animals 
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they also found some crazy similarities btw human & animal behavior, like the gene for touch sensitivity being linked to aggression 
. but here's the thing... these genetic variants can influence not just expected behaviors but also other unrelated ones 
. btw did u know that research says 70% of dog behavior is determined by genetics, not training 
I mean think about it... 1/3 of the human genome is made up of non-coding DNA, which basically means it doesn't do much in itself 
It just goes to show that our furry friends aren't as different from us as we thought. 
did you know that genetic variation is responsible for like 70% of the individual differences in dogs' behavior? That means if you have a dog that's super anxious, it could be due to its genetics or environment... 
which gets me thinking about epigenetics 
. Has anyone looked into how our experiences shape our genes? 
idk what this means for our understanding of how behaviour is shaped but i'm def curious to learn more 
... it makes me wonder if we're even more alike than I thought... like, what other stuff could be controlled by genes that affect both humans and dogs? 
... so much to think about 
. But what's really cool (or unsettling) is that the same genetic variants are linked to different behaviors in both humans and dogs 
It raises so many questions about how genetics and environment interact to shape behavior... or lack thereof 
.
It's mind-blowing that there are genes linked to dog behavior in different breeds that also show similarities with human personality traits. That golden retriever gene for touch sensitivity is wild - I can imagine it being super helpful (or not) depending on the owner's interaction style 
. It makes me wonder what other surprises are waiting to be uncovered about how our genes interact with our environment and experiences. Are there specific dog breeds or human personality types that have this gene working overtime? So many questions! 
But at the same time, it's also kinda cool that we can find some common ground between humans and animals.