Breeding Alters Pugs' Brains

[Odin-Genie]

From The Age

Breeding alters pugs' brains July 28, 2010

HUMANS have been breeding dogs for specific traits such as hair colour and tail length for centuries. Now researchers have found selective breeding has also altered the shape and position of their brains.

Using MRI scans, Sydney researchers have discovered that the brains of small, pug-like dogs have rotated forward in their skulls compared to larger, long-nosed dogs such as Dalmatians and German shepherds.

Their olfactory lobe, which is responsible for smelling, has also been repositioned lower down in the brain cavity.

''This is the first systematic example of brain rotation [observed] in any animal,'' said neuroscientist and study author Michael Valenzuela, who studies brain ageing in humans and animals at the University of New South Wales.

Pug-like dogs, which look significantly different to the ancestor of domestic dogs, the wolf, were the result of selective breeding, he said.

Brain rotation in these dogs could be an evolutionary trade-off because the length of their skulls had decreased in proportion to the width, said Dr Valenzuela, whose findings have been published in the journal PLOS One.

''We speculate that one of the reasons the brain may be rotating in pug-like dogs is that if it hadn't rotated then there would be less space for the frontal lobe to develop,'' he said.

[Curlybert]

You beat me Odin-Genie! The same article is also in the Sydney Morning Herald with a couple of additional paras:

"The frontal lobe is an area of the brain responsible for intelligence and problem solving, as well as social behaviour.

Dr Valenzuela said examining the link between brain changes in dogs and their behaviour would be the next step in the research. ''The obvious step forward … is to do more sophisticated cognitive and behavioural tests in dogs and see if there is a relationship between brain rotation [and behaviour].''

The researchers hope to find whether a dog's sense of smell is affected by the repositioning of the olfactory lobe.

"We think of dogs living in a world of smell but this finding strongly suggests that one dog's world of smell may be very different to another's,'' said the veterinarian and study author Paul McGreevy, an associate professor of the University of Sydney."

[Souff]

Dr Valenzuela said examining the link between brain changes in dogs and their behaviour would be the next step in the research. ''The obvious step forward … is to do more sophisticated cognitive and behavioural tests in dogs and see if there is a relationship between brain rotation [and behaviour].''

Oh, Dr Valenzuela, so you haven't done that research yet .... yet you and Dr McGreevy are already out there talking to the press about your unfinished project ?

Smacks of spin, Dr Valenzuela, smacks of spin .....

Souff

[WreckitWhippet]

Hmmmm, I can predict where this one is heading

[raz]

"We think of dogs living in a world of smell but this finding strongly suggests that one dog's world of smell may be very different to another's,'' said the veterinarian and study author Paul McGreevy, an associate professor of the University of Sydney."[/i]

WOW really?I think Mr McGreevy might be the one that experienced brain rotation.

[Christina]

Don't know where this may go but believe it is likely.

As a breeder of siamese cats this very thought came to mind as I was discussing the way the head shape has changed due to current breeding. The old type siamese was so different. I also wondered if it would affect their temperament.

Jokingly said there will be no room left in their skulls for their brains if they keep changing.

Could be interesting.