According to a recent study, well-known genetics tests fail to provide significant insights into your dog’s personality.
A group of geneticists discovered no link between basic genetic variants and behavioral characteristics in over 3,200 dogs, despite earlier research indicating that numerous genes could forecast elements of a dog’s behavior and personality. This finding stands in contrast to the widespread popularity of at-home genetic testing kits that assert they can reveal whether a dog’s genes are associated with anxiety or a preference for cuddling.
Gattaca for dogs, but it isn’t effective
Genomicist Kathryn Lord from the University of Massachusetts and her team analyzed DNA sequences along with behavioral surveys from more than 3,000 dogs whose owners had signed them up for the Darwin’s Ark initiative (and completed the surveys). “Genetic tests targeting behavioral and personality traits in dogs are currently advertised to pet owners, yet their predictive validity has not been substantiated,” Lord and her team noted in their recent publication.
The team searched for relatively clear correlations between genetic variants and personality traits such as aggression, drive, and affection. The 151 genetic variants analyzed pertained to minor modifications in a single nucleotide, or “letter,” within a gene, referred to as single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs).
The results revealed a definitive no: Your dog’s genetic make-up does not predict its behavior, at least not in the straightforward manner that popular dog DNA tests typically assert.
This can lead to significant repercussions when pet owners, shelter staff, or animal rescue organizations utilize these tests to inform decisions regarding a dog’s future. “For instance, if a dog is deemed genetically inclined to aggression, an owner may restrict critical social interactions, or a shelter might choose not to allow adoption,” Lord and her colleagues stated.
