“HERE’S WHY DOG ARE SO FRIENDLY FELLOWS!”
Remember the quote “love knows no reason”, it turns out its fake especially when we talk about dogs.
Does your dog run around you craving for a cuddle whenever you visit it? But have you ever wondered the reason behind your buddy’s extreme love for you? So let’s resolve this “mystery” together but first we must take a quick history lesson about the astounding bond between humans and dogs.
Genetic evidence suggests dogs evolved from wolves between 40,000 to 28,000 years ago during ice age. This was probably the period when humans domesticated dogs. Interestingly enough dogs were the only animals domesticated by hunter-gatherers. The reason behind this miracle might be dogs’ senses of hearing and smell.
Some researchers suggest that dogs proved beneficial to humans in hunting due to their vigilance and sharp senses while another theory proposed that wolves foraged scrapes of meat and leftover bones of hunters. This kept them close to human tribes. According to this theory, humans domesticated wolves before they evolved into dogs, probably because of their ability to warn against a potential danger like strangers or earthquakes. Of course another possibility is that humans intentionally domesticated wolves, for either or both of the reasons mentioned above.
For further details: Humans may have domesticated dogs by accident by sharing excess meat | New Scientist
In a study published in Science Advances, over-friendly dogs, like Poodles, were observed. Researchers discovered they carry two variants of genes: GTF2I and GTF2IRD1 and when these two genes are absent in humans they cause William syndrome.
Dogs get enthusiastic when they see their owners. The reason for this sudden rush of euphoria in dogs is oxytocin aka “love hormone”. During a human-dog interaction, the oxytocin levels increase in dogs, especially when they exchange positive physical gestures like cuddling or licking.
These two studies might be connected for example oxytocin released in dogs during cuddling can be due to two variants of gene mentioned above. However, further research is required to confirm. But, now you know the excitement and liveliness that arouse in your dog at your mere sight is much deeper than you expected.
For further details: https://science.sciencemag.org/content/348/6232/333.abstract
