Genetic differences link curiosity and fearlessness in working German shepherds

Researchers from Uppsala University and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences identified genetic markers that distinguish the behavior of working German shepherds from those bred for show in Sweden.

The team analyzed data from approximately 23,000 German shepherd dogs to observe how they reacted to different stimuli. Using the Dog Mentality Assessment, the researchers observed the animals in scenarios involving invitations to play, handling by strangers, and threatening ghost-like figures.

The results showed that working dogs displayed more curiosity and less fear than their show-bred counterparts. Geneticists then analyzed blood samples from 373 dogs to map their genomes. They identified specific areas in the genome associated with playfulness and curiosity. These researchers noted that several of the genes linked to the behavior of these dogs also correlate with neuroticism in humans.

The study aims to help breeders select dogs with the best traits for functional roles, such as police or defense work. The researchers plan to conduct larger studies with the Swedish Armed Forces to further map the complex interactions between multiple genes that control behavior.