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4h ago

Study Ties Golden Retriever Behavior Genes to Human Personality and Mental Health

A Cambridge-led genome-wide analysis of 1,300 dogs links shared genetic pathways to temperament, suggesting overlapping biology in how dogs and people process emotion and stress.

This golden retriever, involved in the study, shows ‘good behavior.’ 
Golden retriever. Credit: Rodolphe_SGT / Pixabay.
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The study analysed the DNA of about 1,300 golden retrievers

Overview

  • The peer-reviewed findings were published November 24, 2025 in PNAS by a University of Cambridge team using Golden Retriever Lifetime Study data funded primarily by the Morris Animal Foundation.
  • Researchers matched whole-genome data from about 1,300 golden retrievers aged 3–7 to 73 owner-reported behaviors grouped into 14 trait categories.
  • The study flagged 18 candidate genes for canine behaviors, 12 of which have human equivalents associated with personality, cognition, or mental-health traits.
  • Examples include PTPN1 linked to dog-directed aggression and to intelligence and depression in humans, ROMO1 tied to trainability and human cognitive performance and sensitivity, and ASCC3 associated with non-social fear in dogs and neuroticism and anxiety in people.
  • Authors emphasize these variants shape emotional regulation and predispositions rather than dictating behavior, and they suggest the insights could guide empathy, training approaches, and consideration of anxiety-reducing veterinary treatments.