{"id":31876,"date":"2025-11-25T15:28:07","date_gmt":"2025-11-25T15:28:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/?p=31876"},"modified":"2025-11-25T15:28:08","modified_gmt":"2025-11-25T15:28:08","slug":"researchers-discover-shared-genetic-roots-for-behavior-in-golden-retrievers-and-humans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/researchers-discover-shared-genetic-roots-for-behavior-in-golden-retrievers-and-humans\/","title":{"rendered":"Researchers Discover Shared Genetic Roots for Behavior in Golden Retrievers and Humans"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-blockquote uagb-block-e7eb3fc3 uagb-blockquote__skin-border uagb-blockquote__stack-img-none\"><blockquote class=\"uagb-blockquote\"><div class=\"uagb-blockquote__content\">A new study led by University of Cambridge researchers reveals that certain genes influencing golden retrievers\u2019 behavior are also linked to human emotional and cognitive traits.<\/div><footer><div class=\"uagb-blockquote__author-wrap uagb-blockquote__author-at-left\"><\/div><\/footer><\/blockquote><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-content-justification-space-between is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-0dfbf163 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\"><div style=\"font-size:16px;\" class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-post-author\"><div class=\"wp-block-post-author__content\"><p class=\"wp-block-post-author__name\">The University Network<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-social-share uagb-social-share__outer-wrap uagb-social-share__layout-horizontal uagb-block-ee584a31\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-social-share-child uagb-ss-repeater uagb-ss__wrapper uagb-block-ec619ce7\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__link\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"facebook\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-wrap\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-icon\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path d=\"M504 256C504 119 393 8 256 8S8 119 8 256c0 123.8 90.69 226.4 209.3 245V327.7h-63V256h63v-54.64c0-62.15 37-96.48 93.67-96.48 27.14 0 55.52 4.84 55.52 4.84v61h-31.28c-30.8 0-40.41 19.12-40.41 38.73V256h68.78l-11 71.69h-57.78V501C413.3 482.4 504 379.8 504 256z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-social-share-child uagb-ss-repeater uagb-ss__wrapper uagb-block-32d99934\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__link\" data-href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/share?url=\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"twitter\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-wrap\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-icon\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path d=\"M389.2 48h70.6L305.6 224.2 487 464H345L233.7 318.6 106.5 464H35.8L200.7 275.5 26.8 48H172.4L272.9 180.9 389.2 48zM364.4 421.8h39.1L151.1 88h-42L364.4 421.8z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-social-share-child uagb-ss-repeater uagb-ss__wrapper uagb-block-1d136f14\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__link\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/shareArticle?url=\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"linkedin\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-wrap\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-icon\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\"><path d=\"M416 32H31.9C14.3 32 0 46.5 0 64.3v383.4C0 465.5 14.3 480 31.9 480H416c17.6 0 32-14.5 32-32.3V64.3c0-17.8-14.4-32.3-32-32.3zM135.4 416H69V202.2h66.5V416zm-33.2-243c-21.3 0-38.5-17.3-38.5-38.5S80.9 96 102.2 96c21.2 0 38.5 17.3 38.5 38.5 0 21.3-17.2 38.5-38.5 38.5zm282.1 243h-66.4V312c0-24.8-.5-56.7-34.5-56.7-34.6 0-39.9 27-39.9 54.9V416h-66.4V202.2h63.7v29.2h.9c8.9-16.8 30.6-34.5 62.9-34.5 67.2 0 79.7 44.3 79.7 101.9V416z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>A pioneering study led by researchers at the University of Cambridge has uncovered compelling genetic links between golden retrievers and humans, reshaping our understanding of how certain behaviors and emotional traits manifest in both species.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The research, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pnas.org\/doi\/10.1073\/pnas.2421757122\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">published<\/a> in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, is a significant first. It demonstrates that specific genes affecting behaviors such as fearfulness, energy levels and aggression in golden retrievers also play a role in human traits like anxiety, depression and intelligence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The team analyzed genetic data from 1,300 golden retrievers, correlating it with behavioral assessments provided by their owners through detailed questionnaires. This innovative approach led to identifying genes responsible for trainability, energy, fear of strangers and inter-dog aggression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe findings are really striking \u2013 they provide strong evidence that humans and golden retrievers have shared genetic roots for their behaviour. The genes we identified frequently influence emotional states and behaviour in both species,\u201d Eleanor Raffan, a researcher in the University of Cambridge\u2019s Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience who led the study, said in a news release.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Among the significant genetic revelations, one gene, PTPN1, was found to be connected to aggression in golden retrievers and is also associated with intelligence and depression in humans. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Another gene, influential in golden retrievers fearful of other dogs, was linked to human tendencies toward prolonged worry over embarrassment and high educational achievement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The implications of this research extend beyond academic interest. Understanding the shared genetic basis of behavior can inform better training methods and improve care for pets. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThese results show that genetics govern behaviour, making some dogs predisposed to finding the world stressful. If their life experiences compound this they might act in ways we interpret as bad behaviour, when really they\u2019re distressed,\u201d added first author Enoch Alex, a researcher in the University of Cambridge\u2019s Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For instance, the gene ROMO1, associated with trainability in golden retrievers, is linked to intelligence and emotional sensitivity in humans. This insight suggests that training should not only focus on rewarding desired behaviors but also consider the dogs&#8217; emotional well-being.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Furthermore, the study provides a new perspective on veterinary care. Recognizing that a behavior like fearfulness might be genetically driven opens potential pathways for treatments similar to those used for anxiety in humans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The findings underline the notion that genes influence overarching emotional states and behavioral regulation rather than dictating specific behaviors. For example, dogs exhibiting non-social fear (such as fear of buses or vacuum cleaners) have a gene influencing human irritability, sensitivity and anxiety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIf your golden retriever cowers behind the sofa every time the doorbell rings, perhaps you might have a bit more empathy if you know they\u2019re genetically driven to feel sensitive and anxious,\u201d added co-author Anna Morros-Nuevo, a researcher in the University of Cambridge\u2019s Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Co-author Daniel Mills, a professor at the University of Lincoln who is a specialist in problem animal behavior, added: \u201cDogs in our home share not only our physical environment, but may also share some of the psychological challenges associated with modern living. Our pets may be excellent models of some human psychiatric conditions associated with emotional disturbance.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The study utilized behavioral data from the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study by the Morris Animal Foundation, ongoing since 2012. This comprehensive project involves detailed behavioral questionnaires filled out by owners, combined with genetic analysis from blood samples of the participating dogs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:13px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cam.ac.uk\/research\/news\/golden-retriever-and-human-behaviours-are-driven-by-same-genes\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">University of Cambridge<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A pioneering study led by researchers at the University of Cambridge has uncovered compelling genetic links between golden retrievers and humans, reshaping our understanding of how certain behaviors and emotional traits manifest in both species. The research, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, is a significant first. It demonstrates that [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"single-no-separators","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[25],"tags":[188,497],"class_list":["post-31876","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-science","tag-university-of-cambridge","tag-university-of-lincoln"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":false,"thumbnail":false,"medium":false,"medium_large":false,"large":false,"1536x1536":false,"2048x2048":false},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"The University Network","author_link":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/author\/funky_junkie\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"A pioneering study led by researchers at the University of Cambridge has uncovered compelling genetic links between golden retrievers and humans, reshaping our understanding of how certain behaviors and emotional traits manifest in both species. The research, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, is a significant first. It demonstrates that&hellip;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31876","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=31876"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31876\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":31889,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31876\/revisions\/31889"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=31876"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=31876"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=31876"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}