Man’s best friend is evolving to become even friendlier.
Boffs say dogs are entering a third wave of evolution that is making them even more loving and loyal to their owners.
The eggheads reckon the pooches are rapidly growing more domesticated, friendly and calm as they think the behaviour is the ticket to a cosier life indoors.
Scientists say the more sedentary lifestyles being enjoyed by dogs – including being allowed to sleep in beds and lounge on sofas while their owners binge TV shows – is behind a dramatic change in their “friendliness hormone”.
(Image: Getty Images)
A study has found dogs’ bodies are filled with more oxytocin.
It’s the hormone that drives the animals to seek close contact and bonds with their owners.
Canine experts Brian Hare and Vanessa Woods said the world is now headed for a “new wave of dog domestication” due to the animals’ biological shift.
The pair said: “Dogs have gone from working all day and sleeping outside to relaxing on the couch and sleeping in our beds.
“They are more a part of our families than ever – which means they share our indoor, sedentary lifestyle.
“Owners once wanted a dog that barked at every noise, but modern life best suits a pet that will settle nicely under the desk during remote work, politely greet guests, make friends with cats, and play nice (but not hump) in the dog park.
Brian is an evolutionary-anthropology professor at Duke University and the director of the Duke Canine Cognition Centre.
His study partner Vanessa manages the centre’s Puppy Kindergarten program, which trains pups to become service dogs.
They added the change in dogs’ biology is most obvious in service dogs.
Their study said the highly-trained mutts have become “uniquely well adapted to life in the 21st century”.
It added: “Service dogs are highly trained professionals.
“They assist with specific tasks that their person cannot perform alone, such as helping to load laundry into the washer, turning on lights, and opening doors.
“Between all that effort, service dogs fit into the life of their person in a way that many able-bodied dog owners want their pets to fit into theirs.
“Unlike most pet dogs, service dogs are attracted to strangers, even as puppies.
“And increasing friendliness seems to have changed these dogs’ biology, just as it did thousands of years ago.”
The animal boffs say dogs have already evolved twice.
They concluded they have gone from foraging wolves to hardened service dogs.
Then they say they transformed into cuddlier pets.
This latest phase of “evolution” could see dogs become even more handy around the house to allow them to “fit into the new world we have created” of on-demand telly and being couch potatoes.