They're good wolves, Bront
July 21, 2017 2:12 PM   Subscribe

Your dog is basically a super social wolf, and scientists may have found the gene that makes him want to cuddle with you.

A new study shows that friendliness in dogs is associated with the same genes that make some people hyper-social.

The study, published this week in the journal Science Advances, found that structural variations in three genes on chromosome 6 are correlated with how much canines socialize with humans. An analysis of DNA from two dozen animals revealed that these genes look very different in dogs than they do in wolves.

Mutations in the same genes are also linked with a rare developmental disorder in humans called Williams-Beuren Syndrome, or WBS. People with WBS are typically hyper-social, meaning they form bonds quickly and show great interest in other people, including strangers. Other symptoms include developmental and learning disabilities as well as cardiovascular problems.
posted by Johnny Wallflower (23 comments total) 24 users marked this as a favorite
 
I like wolves, and dogs.
posted by Wolfdog at 2:23 PM on July 21, 2017 [17 favorites]


*humps threads leg*
posted by jonmc at 2:37 PM on July 21, 2017 [16 favorites]


Well, I'm basically a super ape, so I need a super wolf as my companion.
posted by maxsparber at 3:25 PM on July 21, 2017 [9 favorites]


My fursona is a wolf.

I'm not really a dog person even though I am one.
posted by hippybear at 3:54 PM on July 21, 2017 [4 favorites]


Williams syndrome has long been associated with an affinity for music. I'm not saying these scientists are barking up the wrong tree, but, well...
posted by Sys Rq at 3:56 PM on July 21, 2017 [2 favorites]


Super Social Wolf never really returned to the heights they hit with their debut album.
posted by GallonOfAlan at 4:28 PM on July 21, 2017 [11 favorites]


"Eh... I'll have the soup."
posted by Wolfdog at 4:33 PM on July 21, 2017 [1 favorite]


Williams Syndrome previously.
posted by Bee'sWing at 5:19 PM on July 21, 2017 [1 favorite]


I wonder how long until they can make genetically modified versions of any species with the WBS gene. Cuddly sloths/fruit bats/antelopes/anteaters anyone?
posted by acb at 5:29 PM on July 21, 2017 [1 favorite]


Antelopes are just food. #wolf
posted by hippybear at 6:13 PM on July 21, 2017 [1 favorite]


And everyone thinks cats are sociopaths...
posted by tully_monster at 6:46 PM on July 21, 2017 [1 favorite]


I wonder how long until they can make genetically modified versions of any species with the WBS gene. Cuddly sloths/fruit bats/antelopes/anteaters anyone?

Red pandas.

Domesticated cuddly red pandas.

...please?
posted by MrVisible at 9:52 PM on July 21, 2017 [7 favorites]


It would be helpful if they could find and turn off the gene that lets my dog hear a chip packet being opened from about a mile away. That and the cuddle gene are about the only things that work in her little head...
posted by dowcrag at 1:57 AM on July 22, 2017 [3 favorites]


I like the idea of a rhino wanting a cuddle and taking a direct line through the walls to get one.
posted by dowcrag at 1:58 AM on July 22, 2017 [17 favorites]


I hope this gene doesn't get released into the spider population.
posted by um at 3:12 AM on July 22, 2017 [14 favorites]


I like the idea of a rhino wanting a cuddle and taking a direct line through the walls to get one.

I was having a terrible morning until I read this.
posted by thivaia at 4:45 AM on July 22, 2017 [6 favorites]


It would be helpful if they could find and turn off the gene that lets my dog hear a chip packet being opened from about a mile away. That and the cuddle gene are about the only things that work in her little head...

One of the big take-aways from our dog obedience class is the fact that dog == stomach + legs
posted by mikelieman at 4:46 AM on July 22, 2017 [5 favorites]


Not to abuse the edit window...

... and the primary thought process is "Can I Eat This?"
posted by mikelieman at 4:46 AM on July 22, 2017


There's a reason why some people are said to have the canine mindset, i.e., “if you can't eat it or screw it, piss on it”
posted by acb at 6:04 AM on July 22, 2017 [4 favorites]


Problematic in pythons.
posted by Devonian at 7:14 AM on July 22, 2017 [2 favorites]


So let me see if I'm getting this right. Tens of thousands of years ago, a group of wolves had a mental disorder. For whatever reason, those wolves just kinda rolled with it and turned that mental disorder into not just "normal" but a STRENGTH! And they did this by bonding to humans and turning into dogs?!

They're good dogs guys. We kinda owe it to them to do right by them.
posted by VTX at 10:52 AM on July 23, 2017 [1 favorite]


They arguably turned us human, so yes, let's do right by them.
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 3:17 PM on July 23, 2017 [2 favorites]


Tummy rubs all around!
posted by SecretAgentSockpuppet at 4:03 PM on July 23, 2017 [1 favorite]


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