Working with Elaine Ostrander, a canine genomicist at the National Human Genome Research Institute, postdoc student Jaemin Kim has identified genes that seem to predispose some dogs to become canine Michael Jordans. His study, which compared the DNA of 10 sporting breeds (Pointers, Setters, Retrievers) with nine terrier breeds, found that 59 genes linked to traits including blood flow, heart rate, muscle strength and even pain perception were more common in the sporting-breed dogs. Looking for differences in those 59 genes, Kim went on to examine the DNA of breeds (mostly herding dogs) who excel at agility … basically, canine point guards (think basketball great Steph Curry). Only one—ROBO1, which affects a dog’s ability to learn— proved to be significant. At least when it comes to agility, Kim said, a mental attribute may matter more than physical makeup.
via Whisker Therapy