A new genome study published in the journal Science has found that no single breed is an accurate way to predict your pooch’s temperament.
Researchers surveyed the owners of 18,385 dogs, asking questions about their pups’ behavior, such as whether they continue to follow a command until they finish, are friendly with strangers, and circle before going to the bathroom. They also sequenced* the DNA of 2,155 purebred and mixed breed dogs and compared it to the survey results.
They found that breed explained only about 9 percent of the variation in individual dog behavior.
Breed does not affect the character of dogs, and no breed has any clearly defined trait.
You’ve likely heard stereotypes about certain breeds – some, such as Labradors, are more attractive, while others, such as Chihuahuas, are more aggressive.
