Studying Canine Genes
Scientists now want to learn whether dogs' behavior is transmitted in their genes, and if so, how. To find out, geneticist Jasper Rine at the University of California at Berkeley and biologist Elaine Ostrander at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, Washington, launched the Canine Genome Initiative in 1992. The project seeks to decipher the dog genome—the sum of canine genetic material—and to relate that information to the behavior of various breeds.
Rine began by breeding dogs from two species known for several very obvious traits. He and his colleagues then began to explore which gene or genes might be responsible for the traits. Rine chose his own male border collie, Gregor, and his wife's female Newfoundland, Pepper, for the experiment. Border collies weigh about 18 kilograms (40 pounds), are work-oriented, and are passionate about herding sheep. Their behavior includes crouching, staring, and driving the sheep—or any other creatures that they may encounter. “Newfies,” on the other hand, can reach 65 to 70 kilograms (140 to 150 pounds), love water, are people-oriented, and are known for their water-rescue abilities.
Rine and his collaborators mated Gregor and Pepper, and then the seven dogs that were born to them. By early 1997, the matings had produced 23 grandpuppies of the original dogs. Each of the young dogs exhibited a different combination of identifiable traits. One dog, for example, had the intent stare of the border collie but, like a Newfoundland, also loved people. Two grandpuppies that differed in almost all behavioral and physical traits shared Pepper's love of water. Rine and his colleagues then began correlating these various characteristics with the dogs' genetic makeup to identify the gene that determines each trait. But the process is complex and time consuming, and it was expected to occupy the scientists for many years to come.
Someday, people may know enough about dogs and their genes to breed animals with the exact physical and behavioral traits they desire. However, regardless of how future dogs may look or act, it is virtually certain that they will continue to be the helpers, companions, and “best friends” to people that they have been throughout the ages.
