Breeding Has Rotated Dog's Brains

Science - By Staff Writer on Monday, August 9, 2010 - 12:29

Leave it to scientist to investigate random facts.  Michael Valenzuela at the University of New South Wales in Sydney has studied dog brains of 13 dogs (11 dead and 2 alive) using brain scanning equipment.  He has discovered that over time, with the help of selective breeding, dogs brains in certain breeds have actually rotated forward. 

As a dog's head or skull shape becomes flatter - more pug-like - the brain rotates forward and the smell centre of the brain drifts further down to the lowest position in the skull," Valenzuela says. "It's something that hasn't been documented in other species.

This explains the difference in smell ability of brachycephalic and that of their longer snouted cousins like the Beagle.

Go Science!

Full Article [New Scientist]