The genes that underlie the dog’s liking of human company—call them sociability genes—have human analogs. Curiously, in humans, variations in these sociability genes appear to play a role in human disorders such as autism and aggression related to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
The genes were highlighted in a new study that searched through the dog genome for genetic variants that could explain human-directed social behaviors. This study, which was conducted by scientists at Linköping University, found genomic patterns that appear to coincide with the tendency of dogs to seek human assistance when presented with a difficult problem—opening a tightly sealed container to obtain a treat.
