Overview

• Domesticated dogs have smaller brains compared to their wild ancestors, but the reduction is not unique among canids.
• The study analyzed brain and body sizes of 25 canid species, including ancient dog breeds.
• Findings suggest domestication is not the sole evolutionary force driving brain size reduction.
• Raccoon dogs, which hibernate, exhibit even smaller brain sizes due to ecological adaptations.
• The research calls for a broader perspective on brain size evolution beyond domestication.