The Genetic Makeup of the Dog

Understanding the Genetic Make-Up of the Dog

The co-evolution of dogs and humans has spanned thousands (some say 10’s of thousands of years).  Through selective breeding, wolves were morphed into what we now call “dogs.”  Your common house dog shares more than 98% of its DNA with the wolf.  That is a closer relative than any other animal.  Even the Chihuahua’s DNA is 98% wolf.  We rely on this information to understand that almost all dog behavior is rooted in this similarity.  Whether a dog is small or large and regardless of their breed, the behaviors are generally always rooted in their DNA and we can rely on this to look for answers and solutions.

The most important thing to remember is that ALL dogs share their DNA with the wolf, yet there is an inherent difference.  Pet-dogs (canis familiaris) have been mutated through selective breeding, therefore eliminating many of the raw characteristics of the wolf.  Domestic dogs are bred for their interaction and connection with humans, something that the wolf does not share.  Because of these differences, we must understand that the dog is a dog and the wolf is a wolf.  This selective breeding is one that was done by people, in which the desired traits were selected for continued breeding and undesired characteristics and traits were either culled or at the very least not bred further.  With un-altered stray dogs and backyard breeding, negative traits can, and often do, sneak back into the gene pool.

Domestic dogs are highly in-tuned with energy and use body language as a tool of communication.  We have taught the dog to learn verbal cues and to understand the intonations that make up words.  It is because of this skill that dogs can be taught obedience through verbal interaction with humans.  When a dog has not been taught these things, he reverts back to his instincts and uses body language as his primary tool.  Dogs will read our body language before they listen to our voice.  Using our energy and body to control dogs can go a long way in clear and effective communication.  Using spatial-pressure and body language we can communicate with dogs that are not skilled in understanding obedience commands.

It is important to understand that because of the dog’s use of reading and demonstrating body language as his primary tool of communication, we must be aware of it and should learn to read it and use it.  What a dog tells you through the movements and posture of his body is more important than what he is saying with his bark.  We will cover this in the section on Canine Body Language.

Video Lecture: The Genetic Makeup of the Dog