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Ancestry-inclusive dog genomics challenges popular breed stereotypes.

ABSTRACT: Behavioral genetics in dogs has focused on modern breeds, which are isolated subgroups with distinctive physical and, purportedly, behavioral characteristics. We interrogated breed stereotypes by surveying owners of 18,385 purebred and mixed-breed dogs and genotyping 2155 dogs. Most behavioral traits are heritable [heritability (h²) > 25%], and admixture patterns in mixed-breed dogs reveal breed propensities. Breed explains just 9% of behavioral variation in individuals. Genome-wide association analyses identify 11 loci that are significantly associated with behavior, and characteristic breed behaviors exhibit genetic complexity. Behavioral loci are not unusually differentiated in breeds, but breed propensities align, albeit weakly, with ancestral function. We propose that behaviors perceived as characteristic of modern breeds derive from thousands of years of polygenic adaptation that predates breed formation, with modern breeds distinguished primarily by aesthetic traits.

SUBMITTER: Morrill K

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9675396 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Ancestry-inclusive dog genomics challenges popular breed stereotypes.

Morrill Kathleen K Hekman Jessica J Li Xue X McClure Jesse J Logan Brittney B Goodman Linda L Gao Mingshi M Dong Yinan Y Alonso Marjie M Carmichael Elena E Snyder-Mackler Noah N Alonso Jacob J Noh Hyun Ji HJ Johnson Jeremy J Koltookian Michele M Lieu Charlie C Megquier Kate K Swofford Ross R Turner-Maier Jason J White Michelle E ME Weng Zhiping Z Colubri Andrés A Genereux Diane P DP Lord Kathryn A KA Karlsson Elinor K EK

Science (New York, N.Y.) 20220429 6592

Behavioral genetics in dogs has focused on modern breeds, which are isolated subgroups with distinctive physical and, purportedly, behavioral characteristics. We interrogated breed stereotypes by surveying owners of 18,385 purebred and mixed-breed dogs and genotyping 2155 dogs. Most behavioral traits are heritable [heritability (<i>h</i><sup>2</sup>) > 25%], and admixture patterns in mixed-breed dogs reveal breed propensities. Breed explains just 9% of behavioral variation in individuals. Genome ...[more]

PMID: 35482869

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Dataset Information

Ancestry-inclusive dog genomics challenges popular breed stereotypes.

Publications

Ancestry-inclusive dog genomics challenges popular breed stereotypes.

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