Animal Molecular Breeding 2024, Vol.14, No.4, 288-296 http://animalscipublisher.com/index.php/amb 288 Review and Progress Open Access Behavioral Genetics in Companion Animals: Current Insights and Future Directions Wei Liu, Jia Xuan Institute of Life Science, Jiyang College of Zhejiang A&F University, Zhuji, 311800, Zhejiang, China Corresponding author: jia.xuan@jicat.org Animal Molecular Breeding, 2024, Vol.14, No.4 doi: 10.5376/amb.2024.14.0030 Received: 03 Jul., 2024 Accepted: 13 Aug., 2024 Published: 28 Aug., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Liu and Xuan, This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Liu W., and Xuan J., 2024, Behavioral genetics in companion animals: current insights and future directions, Animal Molecular Breeding, 14(4): 288-296 (doi: 10.5376/amb.2024.14.0030) Abstract This study explores the latest advances in behavioral genetics, emphasizing the identification of key genetic markers, the role of gene environment interactions, and the impact of variety specific characteristics on behavior. It includes strengthening training programs, identifying genetic diseases associated with behavioral problems, and supporting selective breeding to improve temperament and other practical applications. The case study of working dogs demonstrates that genetic and environmental factors are interdependent in optimizing task performance, emphasizing the potential of future technologies such as CRISPR and artificial intelligence to expand research to underserved species and personalized behavior management methods. This study aims to emphasize the transformative role of behavioral genetics in improving companion animal welfare and training methods. Keywords Behavioral genetics; Companion animals; Gene-environment interactions; Animal welfare; Selective breeding 1 Introduction Behavioral genetics in companion animals, particularly dogs, has been a significant area of study due to their close relationship with humans and their diverse behavioral traits. The field examines how genetic variations influence behaviors, utilizing advancements in genomic technologies to explore these connections. Dogs, with their unique evolutionary history and widespread presence, serve as a powerful model for understanding the genetic basis of behavior. Studies have shown that while certain behavioral traits are heritable, the genetic architecture is often complex and polygenic, involving multiple genes with small effects (Morrill et al., 2022; Lord et al., 2024). This complexity is compounded by the influence of environmental factors, making the study of behavioral genetics in companion animals a challenging yet promising field (Toth and Rehan, 2019). Understanding behavioral traits in companion animals is crucial for several reasons. It aids in improving animal welfare by identifying genetic predispositions to certain behaviors, which can inform breeding practices and behavioral interventions. For instance, recognizing the genetic basis of traits like aggressiveness or sociability can help in selecting suitable pets for different environments and purposes (Inoue-Murayama, 2012; Grandin, 2013). Moreover, insights gained from studying companion animals can have broader implications, including applications in human behavioral genetics, as many genetic mechanisms are conserved across species (Plassais et al., 2019). This knowledge also enhances our understanding of the domestication process and the evolutionary adaptations that have shaped the behaviors of companion animals (Zhang et al., 2020). This study integrates current knowledge on the genetic basis of companion animal behavior, with a focus on dogs, and identifies future research directions, covering the exploration of genetic diversity within and between breeds, understanding the polygenic nature of behavioral characteristics, and examining the interactions between genetic and environmental factors. It extends to practical applications, such as improving breeding strategies and strengthening human animal relationships through a better understanding of behavioral genetics. This study aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the field by integrating the results of various studies and highlighting areas that require further research to fully realize the potential of companion animal behavioral genetics.
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