This year we learned why dogs come in so many sizes, that puppy dog eyes are a real thing and that cats don’t deserve their aloof rap
Just like many of our readers, Scientific American editors love our dogs, cats and other pets . We also enjoy learning about why they do the funny things they do or how they settled into their domestic selves from their wild ancestors. Here’s a look at what science dug up about our furry companions this year.
Big Dog, Small Dog Dogs famously come in a range of sizes, from the tiny chihuahua to the hulking Great Dane. But scientists have been unable to pin down the genetic reasons for such a size span—that is, until this year, when they announced a genetic variant that seems to be behind the breadth of canine sizes and that surprisingly traces back to ancient wolves.
Puppy Dog Eyes Are Real Any dog owner knows how nice it is to come home to a wiggly, waggy pup who is happy to see their human. But new research shows dogs reunited with their people also tear up—seemingly stimulated by the hormone oxytocin—which makes humans want to cuddle and care for them even more.
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