Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 30th September 2016
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Genes connected to social ability in dogs
dog with family
“Our findings are the first to reveal genes that might have caused the extreme change in social behaviour that has occurred in dogs since they were domesticated."
DNA links between canine behaviour and human social disorders

New research, undertaken by scientists at Linköping University in Sweden, has revealed a link between genes affecting behaviour in both canines and humans.

Scientists found that four out of five genes affecting dogs’ interaction with humans, also linked to social disabilities in humans.

The new behavioural study observed 500 beagles with similar involvement with humans in their early life. Each dog was presented with an unsolvable problem and filmed to evaluate their behaviour. The mission was to remove a lid from a container, in order to retrieve a treat. The data collected analysed the dog’s inclination to seek contact with a human, upon realisation that the problem was too difficult.

Doctoral student and main author of the paper, Mia Persson, said: “We found a clear association with DNA regions that contain five different genes of interest. Four of the genes are previously known from studies of social disorders in humans, for instance autism and ADHD.”

Scientists looked at DNA from 200 of the dogs involved, exploring a large number of genetic variants, using a method called genome-wide association study (GWAS). The genome-wide study is used to identify common variants within subjects with specific traits. In this case, the dogs that sought human contact more often carried the same genetic variants.
 
Professor of ethology and leader of the research group, Per Jensen, said: “Our findings are the first to reveal genes that might have caused the extreme change in social behaviour that has occurred in dogs since they were domesticated.

“If the associations we have found can be confirmed in other dog breeds, it’s possible that dog behaviour can help us to better understand social disorders in humans.”
 
The research was funded in part by the European Research Council (ERC).
 

 

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."