Many misconceptions persist about dogs. Among these, one is that the behavior of a dog depends mainly on its breed. However, an American study has just shown the opposite, genetics is only responsible for a very small fraction of a dog's overall behavior.
9% of behavior explained by race
During a study conducted by researchers at the University of Massachusetts and whose results were published on April 28, the genetics and behavior of dogs were studied in search of links between the two .
The study involved genetic DNA sequencing of over 2,000 dogs of various breeds and questionnaires answered by over 18,000 dog owners.
The results of the study are edifying. The researchers found that unlike a dog's physical appearance, which is 80% due to genetics, only 9% of behavioral traits are explained by breed. Among these breed- and genetic-related behaviors, the researchers highlighted howls that are more specific to Beagles and Bloodhounds. The speed of understanding and reacting to instructions is also linked to genetics. Thus, border collies tend to respond better to instructions than dogs of other breeds. A point they share with mixed-breed dogs with border collie ancestry.
These results allow the researchers to affirm that two dogs belonging to the exact same breed can have very different behaviors.The breed therefore predestines neither the behavior nor the personality of the dog and, according to them, a German shepherd is not necessarily easy to train and a pit bull is not genetically condemned to be violent and dangerous.
Scientists concede, however, that some behaviors are due to heredity. This is the case, in particular, of picking up a ball, playing and miming the hunt. These behaviors are explained by the origin of the domestic dog. This one descends from the wolf, which explains a natural attraction for hunting and similar activities.
An old received idea denied
This serious and large-scale study therefore contradicts an old received idea according to which large powerful dogs were necessarily dangerous and that certain breeds of dogs such as German shepherds or Labradors were systematically receptive to training. The study corrects certain beliefs among dog owners and questions certain behaviors.Among these, the habit that some families have of adopting a dog of the same breed as the previous deceased or missing dog, hoping to have an identical dog in behavior and personality. Disappointment in this kind of situation is often there, because breed and genetics are far from being the only factors determining a dog's behavior.