Scientists Discover Modern Dog Breeds Have Larger Brains Than Ancestors

Modern breeding has triggered some modest cognitive growth in dogs in the past century and a half, according to a study by researchers at Stockholm University. The study found that the only factor that seemed to impact the relative brain size of modern dog breeds was how different their genes were compared to wolves. The findings suggest that the more complex social environment, urbanisation, and adaptation to more rules and expectations have caused this change, affecting all modern breeds.