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Rare Human Genetic Disorder May Explain Why Dogs are Friendly
Inside Science ^ | 7/20/17 | Nala Rogers

Posted on 07/20/2017 8:06:05 AM PDT by ek_hornbeck

When it comes to sheer friendliness, few humans can match the average dog. But people with Williams syndrome may come close, their unusual genetics granting them a puppyish zeal for social interaction. Now, scientists have found that extreme friendliness in both species may share common genetic roots.

A friendly condition

Williams syndrome, also known as Williams-Beuren syndrome, occurs when people are missing of a chunk of DNA containing about 27 genes. The syndrome affects about one in 10,000 people, and it is associated with a suite of mental and physical traits, including bubbly, extroverted personalities, a broad forehead, full cheeks, heart defects, intellectual disability and an affinity for music

(Excerpt) Read more at insidescience.org ...


TOPICS: Pets/Animals; Science
KEYWORDS: asanine; dogs; domestication; drunkwriter; godsgravesglyphs; helixmakemineadouble; ignorance; junkscience; kywrdtrllcntspll; williamsbeurens; williamssyndrome
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To: Mr Ramsbotham

If this theory holds your dog has a long face, upright ears and a big tail. Amirite?


21 posted on 07/20/2017 8:55:20 AM PDT by IDFbunny (Fat shaming works.)
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To: ek_hornbeck

My chocolate lab will try and make friends with anyone and everyone.


22 posted on 07/20/2017 9:05:39 AM PDT by AlaskaErik (I served and protected my country for 31 years. Progressives spent that time trying to destroy it.)
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To: AlaskaErik

A lot of them would bring their throw toy up to a robber breaking into the house, wanting to play. They’re just big sweeties, not a territorial bone in their body. But, not all of them are like that. If you appreciate the breed traits of a Lab but want a dog that would protect you and your home, look to the field-bred Labs, they’re high prey, bred for hunting. They’re still protective and somewhat territorial. The breed is splitting, the big sweetheart couch potatoes descend from show bred lines. The field lines are more muscular and athletic looking, still somewhat prone to obesity in late life since they all have that subcutaneous fat layer for insulation in cold water, but not nearly as prone as the show or pet lines.


23 posted on 07/20/2017 9:11:16 AM PDT by RegulatorCountry
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To: ek_hornbeck
"...including bubbly...personalities, a broad forehead, full cheeks...intellectual disability and an affinity for music..."

Hodor?


24 posted on 07/20/2017 9:12:24 AM PDT by jonno (Having an opinion is not the same as having the answer...)
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To: Mr Ramsbotham

Interesting. My aunt has two and both were very standoffish, head shy as they say.

I didn’t give up on them and just went slow in physical interaction.

Now they are very sociable with me. Strangers, nope, they still try to eat them.


25 posted on 07/20/2017 9:19:00 AM PDT by Molon Labbie (In Safe Space, no one can hear you weep....No one cares either.)
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To: 100American
Musician all my life, not as an avocation but a passion none the less. Way above average IQ and Type A quick resolution master
avocation - a hobby or minor occupation

vocation - a person’s employment or main occupation

Don’t you hate it when that happens just when you are discussing your own IQ?

26 posted on 07/20/2017 9:42:12 AM PDT by conservatism_IS_compassion (A press can be “associated,” or a press can be independent. Demand independent presses.)
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To: ek_hornbeck
Some breeds are more aloof - and there’s a good chance that the gene described in the study may account for some of the differences.

Something has to account for the differences. Although I'm not sure it's "a" gene ... probably a combination of traits.

27 posted on 07/20/2017 9:50:41 AM PDT by Mr Ramsbotham (Laws against sodomy are honored in the breech.)
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To: IDFbunny
If this theory holds your dog has a long face, upright ears and a big tail. Amirite?

Pretty much so!


28 posted on 07/20/2017 9:53:44 AM PDT by Mr Ramsbotham (Laws against sodomy are honored in the breech.)
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To: Molon Labbie
Now they are very sociable with me.

Oh yes, mine is too, though he still doesn't like to have his head touched. But he hasn't eaten anybody ... yet!

29 posted on 07/20/2017 9:54:45 AM PDT by Mr Ramsbotham (Laws against sodomy are honored in the breech.)
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To: Mr Ramsbotham

That’s unusual for a Sheltie. I had an ‘oversized’ one who was somewhat stoic, but never barked at anything but cats and door knocks. Knew someone who bred show Shelties. She had 15 IN her house, at once. I visited, as a stranger, and was enthusiastically welcomed by all but one, blue merle, male. He was standoffish, but eventually got in bed with me-along with two others. IMO Shelties are the most near-human thinking dogs around.


30 posted on 07/20/2017 10:07:11 AM PDT by ClearBlueSky (ISLAM is the problem. ISLAM is the enemy of civilization.)
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To: ek_hornbeck

Ran across this tangentially related story today.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/alpha-trailer-is-a-dog-lovers-dream-20000-years-making-1022205


31 posted on 07/20/2017 10:07:36 AM PDT by kanawa (Trump Loves a Great Deal)
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To: sagar

I think God allows the disabled to exist to remind ourselves that our souls are disabled.


32 posted on 07/20/2017 10:08:31 AM PDT by huldah1776 ( Vote Pro-life! Allow God to bless America before He avenges the death of the innocent.)
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To: ek_hornbeck

Sounds like a good theory, but why are cities so high in violent crime as opposed to country towns? Country town folk all know each other, as would a tribe. You can get lost in a city.


33 posted on 07/20/2017 10:11:16 AM PDT by huldah1776 ( Vote Pro-life! Allow God to bless America before He avenges the death of the innocent.)
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To: ek_hornbeck

Genes come and go. Some make a dog more likeable, some less likeable. Those who are likeable are encouraged to breed, the others not.

No “Rare Human Genetic Disorder”.


34 posted on 07/20/2017 10:36:58 AM PDT by I want the USA back (Acting consistently in contradiction with one's human nature is de facto evidence of insanity.)
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To: ek_hornbeck

the documentary of the Russian who took wolves and over three generations was able to domesticate them weeding out early on the ones that were not docile.

It makes sense.


35 posted on 07/20/2017 11:07:00 AM PDT by nikos1121 (Rudy Guiuliani for Head of FBI)
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To: ClearBlueSky
IMO Shelties are the most near-human thinking dogs around.

I agree, and not only that, they're incredibly intelligent, sensitive and perceptive. When mine chases something around an object, for example, he always runs around in the opposite direction to head it off. If he were a killer he could have as many rabbits as he wanted, but there's no killer instinct in him.

36 posted on 07/20/2017 11:19:08 AM PDT by Mr Ramsbotham (Laws against sodomy are honored in the breech.)
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To: 100American

Really, we were talking about drummers.


37 posted on 07/20/2017 11:49:36 AM PDT by T-Bone Texan (Trump's election does not release you from your prepping responsibilites!)
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Comment #38 Removed by Moderator

Comment #39 Removed by Moderator

To: ping jockey

‘No, come to thing of it, the triangle is probably more in line with your intellect.’

Ironically, you are also using the musical instrument to indicate my (supposed) low intelligence. So, we both agree, right?


40 posted on 07/20/2017 6:09:11 PM PDT by sagar
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