ArticlePloS one2014
Oxytocin receptor gene polymorphisms are associated with human directed social behavior in dogs (Canis familiaris).
Article in PloS one, 2014. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 44 papers.
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Who cites it
44 citing papers in PubMed, 135 citations in OpenAlex.
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- Comparative genomic analysis of oxytocin and oxytocin receptor genes in the family Equidae.Molecular biology reports · 2026Article
- Identification of SORCS1 as a candidate gene associated with canine behavioral traits: Insights from guide dog training outcomes.PloS one · 2026Article
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- "My Little Son, My Everything": Comparative Caregiving and Emotional Bonds in Dog and Child Parenting.Animals : an open access journal from MDPI · 2025Article
- Genetic and Gene-by-Environment Influences on Aggressiveness in Dogs: A Systematic Review from 2000 to 2024.Animals : an open access journal from MDPI · 2025Review
- Dogs' Gazing Behavior to Humans Is Related to Their Liveliness, Aggressiveness, and the Emotional Comfort They Provide.Animals : an open access journal from MDPI · 2025Article
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- Individual differences in social homeostasis.Frontiers in behavioral neuroscience · 2023Review
- One- and Two-Month-Old Dog Puppies Exhibit Behavioural Synchronization with Humans Independently of Familiarity.Animals : an open access journal from MDPI · 2022Article
- Identification of genes associated with human-canine communication in canine evolution.Scientific reports · 2022Article
- Conspecific and Human Sociality in the Domestic Cat: Consideration of Proximate Mechanisms, Human Selection and Implications for Cat Welfare.Animals : an open access journal from MDPI · 2022Review
- Social Stimulation by the Owner Increases Dogs' (Animals : an open access journal from MDPI · 2022Article
- Oxytocin Receptor Gene Polymorphism in Lactating Dogs.Animals : an open access journal from MDPI · 2021Article
- Exploring the Genetic Background of the Differences in Nest-Building Behavior in European Rabbit.Animals : an open access journal from MDPI · 2020Article
- The molecular effect of a polymorphic microRNA binding site of Wolfram syndrome 1 gene in dogs.BMC genetics · 2020Article
- Human Social Evolution: Self-Domestication or Self-Control?Frontiers in psychology · 2020Article
- Variability in Human-Animal Interaction Research.Frontiers in veterinary science · 2020Review
- Two novel genomic regions associated with fearfulness in dogs overlap human neuropsychiatric loci.Translational psychiatry · 2019Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
14 authors at 7 institutions in 3 countries.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
The oxytocin system has a crucial role in human sociality; several results prove that polymorphisms of the oxytocin receptor gene are related to complex social behaviors in humans. Dogs' parallel evolution with humans and their adaptation to the human environment has made them a useful species to model human social interactions. Previous research indicates that dogs are eligible models for behavioral genetic research, as well. Based on these previous findings, our research investigated associations between human directed social behaviors and two newly described (-212AG, 19131AG) and one known (rs8679684) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the regulatory regions (5' and 3' UTR) of the oxytocin receptor gene in German Shepherd (N = 104) and Border Collie (N = 103) dogs. Dogs' behavior traits have been estimated in a newly developed test series consisting of five episodes: Greeting by a stranger, Separation from the owner, Problem solving, Threatening approach, Hiding of the owner. Buccal samples were collected and DNA was isolated using standard protocols. SNPs in the 3' and 5' UTR regions were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction based techniques followed by subsequent electrophoresis analysis. The gene-behavior association analysis suggests that oxytocin receptor gene polymorphisms have an impact in both breeds on (i) proximity seeking towards an unfamiliar person, as well as their owner, and on (ii) how friendly dogs behave towards strangers, although the mediating molecular regulatory mechanisms are yet unknown. Based on these results, we conclude that similarly to humans, the social behavior of dogs towards humans is influenced by the oxytocin system.
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