Sheepdogs, like border collies, are famous for being smart. They can herd and control sheep and cattle without needing specific instructions from humans. Researchers in the country have discovered that the abilities of sheepdogs are due to innate genes rather than training.
Researchers from Gyeongsang National University and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Human Genome Research Institute announced on the 1st that they have identified genetic signals related to the behavior traits of sheepdogs. The research findings were published in the international journal "Science Advances" on the same day.
The research team compared the whole genomes (entire DNA) of 12 breeds of sheepdogs, including border collies, Belgian shepherds, and Welsh corgis, with 91 breeds of dogs not related to herding dogs. The analysis also used the genomes of 551 dogs and 33 wild wolves.
As a result of the analysis, sheepdogs had unique mutations in the EPHB1 gene that differed from regular dogs. This gene plays an important role in spatial memory and behavioral regulation, which are necessary for quickly assessing situations and moving while herding cattle or sheep. In fact, dogs with similar mutations to sheepdogs exhibited chasing and play behavior more frequently.
It was confirmed that sheepdogs have also developed genes related to problem-solving and learning abilities in humans. In the case of border collies, mutations were observed in eight genes related to memory retention, motor learning, social interaction, and spatial memory. Some of these were also linked to chasing and biting patterns, explaining the unique low posture and agile movements seen when border collies herd sheep.
Unlike wolves or other wild dogs, sheepdogs have a weakened instinct to kill prey, leaving only the behavior of chasing and driving. The research team interpreted this as a result of selectively breeding dogs with traits suitable for working alongside humans over a long time.
This research scientifically proves that a dog's behavior is influenced not only by training or environment but also by genetic factors. Its significance lies in the fact that the direct link between behavior and genes had not been clearly established and remained a challenging issue.
Professor Kim Jae-min of Gyeongsang National University noted, "It has been known that specific behavior patterns repeatedly emerge depending on the breed of pet dogs, but finding the genes that explain this was not easy." He explained, "This research is the first case to examine the genetic information and behavioral traits of sheepdogs in combination."
The research team plans to continue studies to identify various behavioral traits and related genes of pet dogs by increasing the number of breeds and samples. The researchers stated, "This study can contribute not only to fundamental scientific research that underpins animal behavior genetics but also to practical applications such as predicting pet tendencies and developing customized training programs."
References
Science Advances (2025), DOI: https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adp4591