Cade & Reed: Do They have the Dog "Friendliness" Gene Insert?

A gene from chromosome 6 has been linked to hypersocial behavior in dogs. JCCC students attempted to to determine if Cade, a terrier mix, and Reed, a mix of multiple dog breeds, have the “friendliness” gene. Phenotypic and genotypic tests were conducted. A test was done to determine a hypersocial score of each dog based on observed behavior of the dog with familiar and unfamiliar people. The “friendliness” gene was determined through multiple tests including DNA extraction, PCR and gel electrophoresis. The knowledge gained from these tests will contribute to the knowledge we have about hypersocial behavior in dogs and whether the “friendliness” phenotype helps determine the genotype of a dog.