They say dogs are like their owners – and a new study shows it’s truer than ever.
Experts have discovered that golden retrievers and humans share genes which make them more likely to be anxious.
The research is the first to show that specific genes linked to canine behaviour are also linked to traits like depression and intelligence in people.
And it could help owners understand their pets even better – especially when they display bad behaviour.
‘The findings are really striking – they provide strong evidence that humans and golden retrievers have shared genetic roots for their behaviour,’ Dr Eleanor Raffan, from the University of Cambridge, said.
‘The genes we identified frequently influence emotional states and behaviour in both species.’
One finding was that dogs displaying ‘non-social fear’ – such as being scared or anxious of things like buses or vacuums – have a gene that in humans drives sensitivity and ‘seeing the doctor for anxiety’.
Meanwhile a gene linked to ‘trainability’ in golden retrievers is associated with intelligence and emotional sensitivity in humans.
Esther the golden retriever was included in the study, which showed that ‘trainability’ in golden retrievers is associated with a gene, ROMO1, that in humans is linked to intelligence and emotional sensitivity
Polar Bear the golden retriever (left) and puppy Dexter (right) were also included in the study, which involved 1,300 animals
The team analysed the genetic code of 1,300 golden retrievers and compared it with each dog’s behavioural traits assessed through a detailed owner questionnaire.
This revealed genes that were linked to traits such as trainability, energy levels, fear of strangers and aggression towards other dogs.
By comparing the findings with a similar analysis in humans, they discovered that 12 of the golden retriever genes also underlie human behavioural traits and emotions.
One gene, PTPN1, was linked to aggression towards other dogs in golden retrievers and associated with intelligence and depression in humans.
Another – flagged up in dogs that were fearful of other dogs – also influences whether humans tend to worry long after being embarrassed or are high educational achievers.
The team says the findings could help owners understand their pets’ emotional worlds, and tailor training or care to suit their needs.
‘These results show that genetics govern behaviour, making some dogs predisposed to finding the world stressful,’ first author Enoch Alex said.
‘If their life experiences compound this they might act in ways we interpret as bad behaviour, when really they’re distressed.’
This golden retriever, involved in the study, shows ‘good behaviour’. The team says the findings could help owners understand their pets’ emotional worlds, and tailor training or care to suit their needs
Genes shared by both humans and golden retrievers Gene Golden retriever traitHuman trait PRDX1 Fear of other dogsEducational attainment. Extreme irritability ASCC3 Non-social fear (like of buses or vacuums)Mood swings, miserableness, irritability, sensitivity, seen doctor for nerves, anxiety, depression, neuroticism, loneliness ADD2 Fear of strangers Depression PTPN1 Dog-directed aggression Intelligence, cognitive performance, educational attainment R0M01/ADGRL2/ITPR2 TrainabilityIntelligence, sensitivity, worrying too long after embarrassment, cognitive performance, depression SLC35F6Touch sensitivity Risk taking, sleep duration, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder VWA8 Separation problems Educational attainment
The findings, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, could also have implications for veterinary care, the team said.
Understanding that behaviour like fearfulness in a golden retriever, for example, is driven by a gene linked with human anxiety means that a medicine to reduce anxiety could help.
They also have important implications for understanding how genes drive dog behaviour.
‘If your golden retriever cowers behind the sofa every time the doorbell rings, perhaps you might have a bit more empathy if you know they’re genetically driven to feel sensitive and anxious,’ Dr Anna Morros-Nuevo, who also worked on the study, said.
The team said that dogs might share some of the psychological challenges associated with modern living.
‘Our pets may be excellent models of some human psychiatric conditions associated with emotional disturbance’, said Professor Daniel Mills, a specialist in problem animal behaviour at the University of Lincoln, who was also involved in the study.
WHAT ARE THE TEN COMMONLY HELD MYTHS ABOUT DOGS?
It is easy to believe that dogs like what we like, but this is not always strictly true.
Here are ten things which people should remember when trying to understand their pets, according to animal behaviour experts Dr Melissa Starling and Dr Paul McGreevy, from the University of Sydney.
1. Dogs don’t like to share
2. Not all dogs like to be hugged or patted
3. A barking dog is not always an aggressive dog
4. Dogs do not like other dogs entering their territory/home
5. Dogs like to be active and don’t need as much relaxation time as humans
6. Not all dogs are overly friendly, some are shyer to begin with
7. A dog that appears friendly can soon become aggressive
8. Dogs need open space and new areas to explore. Playing in the garden won’t always suffice
9. Sometimes a dog isn’t misbehaving, it simply does not understand what to do or what you want
10. Subtle facial signals often preempt barking or snapping when a dog is unhappy