Big Article on Dog Breeds in Science

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A recent article in the journal Science explores the genetics of dog breeds, focusing on the heritability of behavioral traits. The study surveyed over 18,000 dog owners and genotyped more than 2,100 dogs, revealing that most behavioral traits have a heritability greater than 25%. However, breed only accounts for 9% of the behavioral variation among individual dogs. The research identifies 11 genetic loci associated with behavior, indicating that breed-specific behaviors are genetically complex and not significantly differentiated among breeds. The findings suggest that behaviors attributed to modern breeds are rooted in thousands of years of polygenic adaptation, with current breeds primarily differing in aesthetic traits rather than behavioral ones. The discussion also touches on the relevance of dog shows, implying that visual assessments could be simplified.
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A big article on dog breeds, genetics, and behavioral and other traits has been published in Science (the journal).

Abstract​

Behavioral genetics in dogs has focused on modern breeds, which are isolated subgroups with distinctive physical and, purportedly, behavioral characteristics. We interrogated breed stereotypes by surveying owners of 18,385 purebred and mixed-breed dogs and genotyping 2155 dogs. Most behavioral traits are heritable [heritability (h2) > 25%], and admixture patterns in mixed-breed dogs reveal breed propensities. Breed explains just 9% of behavioral variation in individuals. Genome-wide association analyses identify 11 loci that are significantly associated with behavior, and characteristic breed behaviors exhibit genetic complexity. Behavioral loci are not unusually differentiated in breeds, but breed propensities align, albeit weakly, with ancestral function. We propose that behaviors perceived as characteristic of modern breeds derive from thousands of years of polygenic adaptation that predates breed formation, with modern breeds distinguished primarily by aesthetic traits.
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Thanks for posting. This one is going to take me awhile to digest.

It generally confirms my opinion of confirmation ribbons, which could be done just as well by mailing in photos of the dogs. Much easier than prancing around a ring in a dress and high heels.
 
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