Researchers from the University of Cambridge, studying British Labrador Retrievers, have identified multiple genes associated with canine obesity. Their study, published in the journal ‘Science’, has found the dog gene DENND1B to be most strongly associated with obesity in Labradors. DENND1B has been found to directly affect a brain pathway responsible for regulating the energy balance in the body, called the leptin melanocortin pathway. Additional four genes are also associated with canine obesity, but they exert a smaller effect than DENND1B. Researchers say that dogs at high genetic risk of obesity are more interested in food. They show signs of having higher appetite and pester their human parents for food.
