Dogs, beloved for their loyalty and companionship, are entering a new phase of evolution driven by humans’ changing needs. A recent study by researchers at Sweden’s Linköping University suggests that our desire for friendly, calm pets well-suited to a sedentary lifestyle is influencing canine genetics, leading to a third wave of domestication.
This new phase could already be altering the biology of our furry friends, particularly service dogs, making them increasingly adapted to modern life.
Just a few decades ago, dogs were primarily working animals, tasked with hunting pests, herding livestock, and guarding homes. But in today’s world, their role has significantly shifted to being companions, which is now a much higher priority for pet owners. This shift has increased levels of a hormone responsible for social bonding in dogs, especially in service dogs.
According to the study, the hormone oxytocin is what drives dogs to seek contact with their owners. As humans have domesticated wolves into the pets we know today, canines’ sensitivity to oxytocin has increased. The effect of oxytocin depends on how well it binds to its receptor inside cells.
The researchers discovered that variations in genetic material located near the gene coding for oxytocin receptors influence dogs’ ability to communicate. This finding suggests that a dog’s social skills are partially ingrained in their genetics – specifically tied to the genes that control their sensitivity to oxytocin.
In the study, 60 golden retrievers were observed as they attempted to lift a lid off a jar of treats. The jar was intentionally made impossible to open, testing the dogs’ willingness to ask for help when faced with a difficult problem.
The researchers found that dogs with a particular genetic variant of the receptor had a stronger reaction to an oxytocin spray than other dogs, making them more likely to ask for help.
Canine experts Brian Hare and Vanessa Woods believe that dogs’ behavioral traits are undergoing this third wave of domestication as they shift from worker animals to companions. Service dogs, in particular, are seen as ‘uniquely well adapted to life in the 21st century,’ embodying the traits of an ideal canine companion.
These service dogs are highly trained professionals who can assist their owner with tasks and have uniquely friendly dispositions. Unlike most pet dogs, service dogs are attracted to strangers and exhibit increased friendliness, which according to the researchers, seems to have altered these dogs’ biology.
Just a few decades ago, dogs were active and on alert, conditioned to tasks like hunting, herding, and guarding. But today, with more dogs living in densely populated areas and spending more time inside, some behaviors that made dogs appealing to our ancestors have become maladaptive.
Woods and Hare believe that these new societal pressures are driving this third wave of canine domestication. They propose that for the happiness of dogs and their owners, humans need to breed and train more dogs like service animals, embarking on a new wave of dog domestication to help them fit into the new world we have created.
The evolution of dogs underlines the deep bond between humans and their canine companions, a relationship that has evolved over thousands of years.
The first wave of domestication occurred when wolves, attracted by food waste from human settlements, gradually lost their fear and aggression towards humans.
The second wave took place after the Industrial Revolution, when dogs were bred for specific physical traits to represent their owners’ good taste and disposable income.
We are now witnessing a third wave of domestication, one driven by the modern lifestyle and needs of humans. As our society becomes more urbanized and indoors-oriented, the traits we value in dogs are changing.
The demand for working dogs has declined, while the desire for dogs that can fit seamlessly into our lives as calm, friendly companions has risen.
This new wave of domestication has significant implications for both dogs and their owners. As dogs’ roles shift from workers to companions and their biology changes accordingly, pet owners are presented with animals that are more attuned to human emotions and needs.
Service dogs, which are at the forefront of this evolution, are a testament to this change – highly trained professionals who not only assist their owners with tasks but also display uniquely friendly dispositions.
However, this new phase also poses challenges. Dogs that are more energetic or anxious than average are now more likely to be relinquished to shelters, reflecting a societal shift away from certain canine traits.
This highlights the importance of research like that conducted by Linköping University and the Duke Canine Cognition Center in understanding canine behavior and genetics.
As we embrace this new phase, it’s crucial for us to consider the implications on canine wellbeing. As society increasingly values certain traits over others, there’s a risk that dogs unable to fit this new mold may face uncertain futures. This calls for more responsible breeding, training, and ownership practices to ensure all dogs – not just those best adapted to modern life – are given the love and care they deserve.
Feeling stuck in self-doubt?
Stop trying to fix yourself and start embracing who you are. Join the free 7-day self-discovery challenge and learn how to transform negative emotions into personal growth.
