Research findings, published in the journal Scientific Reports, can now truly explain why some people are simply “dog people.”
Can the love for dogs be encoded in genes? A new European study supports such a conclusion after comparing the genetic code of over 35,000 pairs of twins who are dog owners.
The researchers have concluded that genetic variations account for more than half of the likelihood that a person will have a dog.
Understanding the interaction between dogs and humans throughout history
Even the researchers themselves were surprised by the finding that a person’s genetic structure can have a significant impact on whether they will own a dog. As such, these findings have significant implications in several different areas related to understanding the interaction between dogs and humans throughout history and in modern times, as stated by the study’s author, Tove Fall, a professor of molecular epidemiology at Uppsala University in Sweden.
The findings of a study published in the journal Scientific Reports provide a real explanation for why some individuals are simply “dog people.”
There are numerous health benefits associated with owning a dog.
Dogs were the first animals to be domesticated, and their close bond with humans has persisted for over 15,000 years. It is believed that dogs and other pets contribute to the overall health and well-being of their owners, and research supports this notion. Studies conducted in Canada, Australia, and Japan have shown that dog owners have a 57% to 77% higher likelihood of achieving the recommended levels of physical activity compared to individuals without dogs.
Caring for pets can also help alleviate the negative effects of various conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and cholesterol on our bodies. This is likely due to the positive impact that pets have on our emotional state.
Therefore, it is not surprising that pet owners who have coronary heart disease show a higher survival rate than those who do not have pets, regardless of the severity of the heart attack.
