A gene associated with canine obesity has been identified. Dog owners tell their vets that Labrador retrievers are always interested in food, and a new study published in the journal ‘Cell Metabolism’ shows there might be a biological truth to the claim. It links a gene alteration specifically found in Labs and related flat coat retrievers to greater food-motivated behaviour, describing the first gene associated with canine obesity. The variation also occurs more frequently in Labradors chosen as assistance dogs, and might explain why these canines seem more trainable with food rewards.
