Study Scanned The Brains Of 33 Dog Breeds And Proved How Centuries Of Breeding Reshaped Its Structure

• 01

  The new study performed MRI scans on 33 breeds and discovered how a dog was bred is reflected in their brain structure.

  
  via thelabradorsite.

  For instance, dogs bred to be small—say the lhasa apso—have round heads with similarly round brains that take up most of their skull. A larger breed like a golden retriever has a long, narrow head, and thus a more elongated brain that doesn't fill all of the skull space. It was also found that the role for which a dog was bred—say retrieving birds—is reflected in their brain structure. 

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• 02

  The researchers recruited 62 individual pet dogs in American homes, including breeds such as beagles, Yorkshire terriers, Doberman pinschers, boxers, and more.

  
  via fox news

  After noting the differences in brain size and shape, the team then further analyzed differences within the brain, observing how certain regions varied across breeds with certain behavioral traits. Bulldogs, for example, were originally bred to fight captive bulls but later were bred to be loving family pets, putting them both in the "sport fighting" and "explicit companionship" groups. The study team used the American Kennel Club website for data on the breeds' original roles

• 03

  The scientists then mapped out six brain networks that could be discerned by a dog's behavior, like scent hunting or companionship.

  
  via MSN

  For example, in the part of the brain called the prefrontal cortex, one area associated with group size and social interaction had the same variation among dogs bred for herding; police, military, and war work; vermin control; bird flushing and retrieving; and sport fighting. That makes sense since these breeds serve roles that are "cognitively complex and demanding, so they might require greater support from the prefrontal cortex," leader research, Hecht says.

• 04

  This fresh look inside the mind of dogs offers a better understanding of how breeds are hardwired, which in turn helps potential dog owners choose the right breed for their home

  
  via Heart Radio

  "The biggest wow moment for me was just looking at the scans," says study leader, Hecht. "It's really cool in science where you have a result where you don't have to do any fancy statistics to be able to tell there's something going on."
  
  
  

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• 05

  Study researchers also performed a statistical analysis that shows the brain variations occurred more recently in the dog family tree, rather than deep in the past—suggesting that dog brain evolution has happened quickly.

  
  via Science News

  "It brings home how humans alter the world around them," she says. "It's kind of profound that our brains are changing other brains on the planet."

  
  

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