Beagle attempting to solve an unsolvable taskMIA PERSSONVariants of four (out of five) genes in a segment of the dog genome linked to social behavior have also been associated with neurological and behavioral disorders in people, such as autism, schizophrenia, and aggression, according to a study of more than 430 lab-raised, untrained beagles, which was published yesterday (September 29) in Scientific Reports.
“[Our aim] is to try to understand the genetic underpinnings of domestication: What is it that has helped to turn the wolf, which is really not interested in humans to start off with, into this extremely sociable creature which is the dog?” animal behaviorist Per Jensen of Linköping University in Sweden told The Guardian. “We think we have at least found some of the genetic background of this process.”
Jensen and colleagues provided the beagles with a container holding three treats. All three treats were visible and could be smelled, but the dogs had to move a clear sliding lid to gain access. For one of the three treats, the lid was locked in place. After accessing the first two treats, the dogs “get very ...
