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Facial expressivity in domestic dogs: a functional analysis of the relaxed open mouth across breeds
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Abstract
Facial expressions are central to animal communication, yet the influence of domestication and selective breeding on their expression in dogs (Canis familiaris) remains poorly understood. This study examined the relaxed open mouth (ROM), a conserved playful signal, across 29 dog breeds and compared it with wolves (Canis lupus), using the Dog Facial Action Coding System (DogFACS) and functional clustering. Results showed that ROM execution varies across breeds and does not systematically reflect genetic relatedness to the wolf. Contrary to predictions, brachycephalic breeds did not recruit fewer muscles than meso- and dolichocephalic breeds, suggesting that skull morphology alone does not constrain ROM expression. The maximum number of action units (AUs) recruited (seven) was observed in wolves and several breeds (e.g., Basset Hound, German Shepherd, Poodle), while most other breeds recruited between four and six, indicating a general simplification of the signal in domestic dogs. Variation in ROM expression may influence intraspecific communication, with some breeds more readily interpreting one another’s facial cues. This study provides novel insights into the evolution of canine facial communication and offers a framework for comparative research across other species.
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Supplementary Materials
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Facial expressivity in domestic dogs: a functional analysis of the relaxed open mouth across breeds
in BehaviourSearch for other papers by Veronica Maglieri in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Abstract
Facial expressions are central to animal communication, yet the influence of domestication and selective breeding on their expression in dogs (Canis familiaris) remains poorly understood. This study examined the relaxed open mouth (ROM), a conserved playful signal, across 29 dog breeds and compared it with wolves (Canis lupus), using the Dog Facial Action Coding System (DogFACS) and functional clustering. Results showed that ROM execution varies across breeds and does not systematically reflect genetic relatedness to the wolf. Contrary to predictions, brachycephalic breeds did not recruit fewer muscles than meso- and dolichocephalic breeds, suggesting that skull morphology alone does not constrain ROM expression. The maximum number of action units (AUs) recruited (seven) was observed in wolves and several breeds (e.g., Basset Hound, German Shepherd, Poodle), while most other breeds recruited between four and six, indicating a general simplification of the signal in domestic dogs. Variation in ROM expression may influence intraspecific communication, with some breeds more readily interpreting one another’s facial cues. This study provides novel insights into the evolution of canine facial communication and offers a framework for comparative research across other species.
| Insgesamt | Letzte 365 Tage | In den letzten 30 Tagen | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aufrufe von Kurzbeschreibungen | 368 | 368 | 20 |
| Gesamttextansichten | 30 | 30 | 1 |
| PDF-Downloads | 71 | 71 | 2 |
