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 ...
If this theory holds your dog has a long face, upright ears and a big tail. Amirite?
My chocolate lab will try and make friends with anyone and everyone.
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.
Hodor?
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.
avocation - a hobby or minor occupationDont you hate it when that happens just when you are discussing your own IQ?vocation - a persons employment or main occupation
Something has to account for the differences. Although I'm not sure it's "a" gene ... probably a combination of traits.
Pretty much so!
Oh yes, mine is too, though he still doesn't like to have his head touched. But he hasn't eaten anybody ... yet!
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.
Ran across this tangentially related story today.
I think God allows the disabled to exist to remind ourselves that our souls are disabled.
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.
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”.
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.
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.
Really, we were talking about drummers.
‘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?
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