Dogs are one of the most well-known and well-known human pets. Teens, did you ever think, what makes a dog a human friend?
The proximity of dog behavior patterns with humans indeed make the dog can be a pet, trained, invited to play, to be invited to live with us. Dog behavior as a social animal is different from wolves who are close relatives and ancestors. Wolves tend to be wild, aloof and unfriendly like dogs.
Initially the experts have a strong suspicion that the domestication or the process of adopting wild animals into the daily life experienced by dogs from wolves to make dogs can be friendly with humans. It was not that simple. Recent studies of the genetic level reveal more specific reasons for dog-friendly behavior.
A study conducted by animal scientist Monique Udell of Oregon State University and Bridgett von Hold found that there is a similarity between a dog's chromosome and a human chromosome that has Williams-Beuren syndrome. A genetic disorder in humans due to partial loss of DNA on chromosome 7. Psychologically people with Williams-Beuren syndrome tend to have a hypersocial attitude, they will be friendly, albeit against strangers, and have a high empathy empathy.
Dog DNA has an area similar to the gene variant responsible for Williams-Beuren syndrome on its chromosome. Genetic variation due to insertion of genes in this area that causes differences in the dog's hypersocial attitude. If genetic insertion is less, the dog will behave like a wolf and like to be alone. Conversely, if genetic insertion is more then the dog will tend to be sociable, friendly and friendly with humans.
Interestingly, it affects the hypersocial attitude in people with Williams-Beuren syndrome in humans rather than genetic insertion as in dogs, but genetic removal of chromosome seven. This may mean that the variation of DNA partial removal on chromosome number seven suffers to make it equal or similar to the six chromosome genomes variations in dogs.
Although the results of these researchers still have to continue to be studied further, but these findings could be one reference to the reason for the social behavior of dogs friendly to humans. Are there any of you who are also good friends with dogs,