Tag Archives: dog aging project

With National Mutt Day just around the corner on July 31, it’s the perfect time to explore our favorite mixed-breed companions. A mutt is a dog of mixed or unknown breed heritage, and there’s a common belief that mutts are healthier due to “hybrid vigor.” Hybrid vigor is the improved health of offspring due to the mixing of parental genetic traits. But how true is this claim? I’ll try to answer that question in today’s blogpost.

The nature versus nurture debate has captivated scientists since the 1800s, when Gregor Mendel cultivated peas in his garden while Charles Darwin explored the world aboard the HMS Beagle. This enduring discussion centers on the relative importance of genetics (nature) and environment (nurture) in shaping an individual's traits and behaviors. In my last blogpost, I wrote about genetic mutations in pets. These mutations—like those causing stumpy tails in Manx cats, extra toes in polydactyl cats, or drug sensitivities in pets with the AMC transporter mutation—demonstrate how genetics shape our animals’ appearance and health needs. But what about nurture? How does the environment our pets share with us impact their well-being?

Puppy owners are overwhelmed by food choices available for their new family member, according to a recent survey. This feeling might be in part because dog owners have to make all the food decisions alone: dogs lack the ability to order their own food on UberEats or communicate their preferences in a helpful way! Several recent research publications highlight factors impacting dietary choices for dogs. I’ll discuss those findings in the blogpost below.