A new study by a team of geneticists has revealed that popular dog genetics tests may not be as informative as they claim when it comes to understanding a dog's personality. The researchers found no straightforward connection between simple genetic variants and behavioral traits in a comprehensive study involving more than 3,200 dogs. This finding contradicts earlier studies suggesting that hundreds of genes could predict various aspects of a dog's behavior and personality, challenging the assertions made by at-home genetic tests that promise to reveal predispositions for anxiety or affection in pets.
Geneticist Insights from the University of Massachusetts
University of Massachusetts genomicist Kathryn Lord and her colleagues conducted a thorough comparison of DNA sequences and behavioral surveys from more than 3,000 dogs enrolled in the Darwin’s Ark project. The study aimed to evaluate the predictive accuracy of genetic tests for dog behavior and personality traits, a market increasingly targeting pet owners without validated results.
The researchers examined straightforward associations between genetic variants and traits like aggression, drive, and affection. These involved studying 151 genetic variants characterized by small changes to single nucleotides in a gene, known as single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). The outcome was clear: a dog’s genetic makeup does not simply determine its behavior.
Unforeseen Implications
This revelation holds significant implications, particularly when genetic tests are used by pet owners and animal shelters to make future decisions about a dog. As noted by Lord and her team, if a dog is mistakenly labeled as genetically predisposed to aggression, it could severely limit the dog's social interactions or even affect adoption possibilities.