Study finds that the majority of modern dogs have detectable wolf ancestry
New research led by scientists at the American Museum of Natural History and the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History reveals that the majority of dogs living today have low but detectable levels of post-domestication wolf ancestry that has likely shaped characteristics including body size, sense of smell, and personality traits.
Golden retriever and human behaviors are driven by same genes
The research, published today in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, is the first to show that specific genes linked to canine behaviour are also associated with traits like anxiety, depression, and intelligence in people.
The Talking Dog Question: What Evolution and Neuroscience Tell Us About the Limits of Canine Communication
A comprehensive review from Hungary's BARKS Lab explores why dogs haven't evolved speech despite 15,000+ years of human cohabitation—and what this reveals about comparative cognition, interspecies communication, and the clinical assessment of canine communicative abilities.
Does Exam Location Affect Stress in Dogs During Veterinary Exams? A Randomized Crossover Study
Veterinary visits can be stressful for dogs, with many exhibiting fear-related behaviors such as trembling, panting, yawning, low tail posture, and avoidance of interaction. Previous research suggests that examination tables may increase stress, particularly in dogs with prior negative veterinary experiences. However, until now, no studies had directly compared stress levels in dogs examined on a table versus the floor under standardized conditions.
Dogs Don’t Care What It Looks Like—They Learn Words by What It Does!
A new study publishing in Current Biology on September 18 by the Department of Ethology at Eötvös Loránd University reveals that dogs with a vocabulary of toy names—known as Gifted Word Learners—can extend learned labels to entirely new objects, not because the objects look similar, but because they are used in the same way.
Winning by a nose: Dog behavior is linked to head shape
Short-nosed dog breeds, like French Bulldogs and Pugs, remain immensely popular. But are they truly better companion animals than other breeds? According to a new study by ethologists at Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE), short noses may indeed influence behavior — but just as important are small body size and owner treatment. These dogs are often spoiled and less frequently trained, which affects their behavior. While short-nosed dogs may be calmer and less reactive, these potential benefits often fail to emerge without proper upbringing.