title: Dog Breed Differences in Visual Communication with Humans.
abstract: Domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) have developed a close relationship with humans through the process of domestication. In human-dog interactions, eye contact is a key element of relationship initiation and maintenance. Previous studies have suggested that canine ability to produce human-directed communicative signals is influenced by domestication history, from wolves to dogs, as well as by recent breed selection for particular working purposes. To test the genetic basis for such abilities in purebred dogs, we examined gazing behavior towards humans using two types of behavioral experiments: the 'visual contact task' and the 'unsolvable task'. A total of 125 dogs participated in the study. Based on the genetic relatedness among breeds subjects were classified into five breed groups: Ancient, Herding, Hunting, Retriever-Mastiff and Working). We found that it took longer time for Ancient breeds to make an eye-contact with humans, and that they gazed at humans for shorter periods of time than any other breed group in the unsolvable situation. Our findings suggest that spontaneous gaze behavior towards humans is associated with genetic similarity to wolves rather than with recent selective pressure to create particular working breeds.
authors.affiliation: Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Kojimachi 5-3-1, Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan.|Department of Cognitive and Behavioral Science, The University of Tokyo, Komaba 3-8-1, Meguro, Tokyo, Japan.|Wildlife Research Center, Kyoto University, Tanaka Sekiden cho 2-24, Sakyo, Kyoto, Japan.
authors.forename: Akitsugu
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Konno
authors.affiliation: Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Kojimachi 5-3-1, Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan.|Department of Cognitive and Behavioral Science, The University of Tokyo, Komaba 3-8-1, Meguro, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Romero
authors.affiliation: Wildlife Research Center, Kyoto University, Tanaka Sekiden cho 2-24, Sakyo, Kyoto, Japan.
authors.forename: Miho
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Inoue-Murayama
authors.affiliation: Department of Cognitive and Behavioral Science, The University of Tokyo, Komaba 3-8-1, Meguro, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Atsuko
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Saito
authors.affiliation: Department of Cognitive and Behavioral Science, The University of Tokyo, Komaba 3-8-1, Meguro, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Toshikazu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hasegawa
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D003142:Communication; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male