Have you ever thought of doing yoga with your pets? On international day of yoga, we tell you about a yoga event in new Delhi that was more of an awareness platform. Celebrate the 'pawsitivity' through yoga and much more in our yoga wrap.

Yoga with your furry friends | International Day of Yoga

The world is celebrating 10th International Yoga Day. Prime Minister Narendra Modi performed Yoga with residents of Kashmir in J&K's Srinagar. PM Modi was seen performing breathing exercises and meditation at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre.

International Yoga Day: PM Modi leads celebrations, says world seeing new Yoga economy going forward

An HR professional who recently stayed at the Taj Mahal Hotel in Mumbai was surprised to find a dog sleeping peacefully at the hotel's entrance. Rubi Khan was curious about the dog’s presence and inquired about it with the staff. They informed her that the dog had been a part of the hotel since birth. The staff explained that Ratan Tata had issued strict instructions to treat animals entering the hotel premises "well." Ms Khan's post on the networking platform Linkedin has gone viral with netizens applauding the hotel's compassionate gesture.

Gravitas: Mumbai's Taj Mahal hotel opens doors to dogs

Did you enjoy watching Messi in 'Anatomy of a Fall'? Dogs have been man's best friend on and off screen for the longest time. Let's look at other times when dogs were the heroes on screen.

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Chinese robot battle dogs are entering the battlefieldChina's military showed off its machine gun-equipped robot battle "dogs". These robot dogs were shown at the start of China's biggest-ever drills with Cambodian forces.

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In the run-up to the elections and after the elections, reports suggested that Milei communicates spiritually to dead dogs to seek political advice. Watch in for more details!

Does Argentine President Javier Milei communicate with a dead dog?

Israel-Hezbollah tensions along the Al-Shabab border have left hundreds of dogs homeless. Their owners, fleeing for their lives - were forced to leave their furry friends, and now a former soldier has taken on a mission to rescue them.

Lebanon: Man sets up shelter for dogs, safe haven amid Hezbollah-Israel clashes

The American family is changing. While birth rates continue to decline, pet ownership is on the rise. Data shows a significant shift, with the number of dogs and cats in the US now exceeding the number of children under 18 by more than double. This trend, fueled in part by the covid-19 pandemic, is impacting several industries, including one you might not expect - cat litter.

Oil-dri triples stock value as pet ownership soars 5.8%

A new research has claimed&nbsp;that dogs can be made to sniff out an oncoming flashback which is a result of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Such dogs have been trained by scientists to recognise the scent present in people's breath which reflects their past traumatic experiences, claimed the study whose findings were published in the journal Frontiers in Allergy.

The scientists said that the findings can be used to make PTSD assistance dogs more effective.

PTSD is a mental health issue which can be triggered by frightening, distressing or stressful events and those who have gone through those moments are generally haunted by flashbacks and nightmares.

While speaking to The Independent, Laura Kiiroja, who is part of the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience at Dalhousie University in Canada, said: “PTSD service dogs are already trained to assist people during episodes of distress. However, dogs are currently trained to respond to behavioural and physical cues. Our study showed that at least some dogs can also detect these episodes via breath.”

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/robotic-police-dog-takes-multiple-bullets-shield-police-officials-and-avert-bloodshed-705144">Robotic police dog takes multiple bullets, shields police officials and averts bloodshed</a>

The researchers stated that all humans have a “scent profile”. This profile is made up of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which are released from the body in different secretions such as sweat.

They added that there is some evidence that hints at dogs being capable of detecting VOCs related to human stress.

<h2>How the experiment was done?</h2>

To carry out the study, a team of 26 people were collected and more than half of them met the diagnostic requirements for PTSD.

The people were directed to breathe into a facemask and at the same time recall their past traumatic events. Twenty five dogs were recruited by the team to train in scent detection, however, only two dogs (Ivy and Callie) appeared skilled and motivated throughout the experiments, said the researchers.

“Both Ivy and Callie found this work inherently motivating. Their limitless appetite for delicious treats was also an asset. In fact, it was much harder to convince them to take a break than to commence work. Callie in particular made sure there was no dilly-dallying," Kiiroja said.&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;Robot dogs revolutionising warfare | The rise of Canine soldiers

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The two dogs were trained by the researchers to recognise the odour from the facemasks. In the study, the canines were able to identify the stressed and non-stressed facemask samples.&nbsp;

The two dogs were also tested to check if they can detect VOCs associated with stress accurately. In that experiment, Ivy was 74 per cent accurate&nbsp;and Callie's performance was 81 per cent on spot, as per the team. Ivy’s performance was connected with anxiety and Callie’s was correlated with shame.

"Although both dogs performed at very high accuracy, they seemed to have a slightly different idea of what they considered a ‘stressed’ breath sample," Kiiroja said.

(With inputs from agencies)

A new research has claimed that dogs can be made to sniff out an oncoming flashback which is a result of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Such dogs have been trained by scientists to recognise the scent present in people's breath which reflects their past traumatic experiences, claimed the study whose findings were published in the journal Frontiers in Allergy.

A new research has claimed that dogs can be made to sniff out an oncoming flashback which is a result of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Such dogs have been trained by scientists to recognise the scent present in people's breath which reflects their past traumatic experiences, claimed the study whose findings were published in the journal Frontiers in Allergy. The scientists said that the findings can be used to make PTSD assistance dogs more effective. PTSD is a mental health issue which can be triggered by frightening, distressing or stressful events and those who have gone through those moments are generally haunted by flashbacks and nightmares. While speaking to The Independent, Laura Kiiroja, who is part of the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience at Dalhousie University in Canada, said: “PTSD service dogs are already trained to assist people during episodes of distress. However, dogs are currently trained to respond to behavioural and physical cues. Our study showed that at least some dogs can also detect these episodes via breath.” Also Read: Robotic police dog takes multiple bullets, shields police officials and averts bloodshed The researchers stated that all humans have a “scent profile”. This profile is made up of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which are released from the body in different secretions such as sweat. They added that there is some evidence that hints at dogs being capable of detecting VOCs related to human stress. How the experiment was done? To carry out the study, a team of 26 people were collected and more than half of them met the diagnostic requirements for PTSD. The people were directed to breathe into a facemask and at the same time recall their past traumatic events. Twenty five dogs were recruited by the team to train in scent detection, however, only two dogs (Ivy and Callie) appeared skilled and motivated throughout the experiments, said the researchers. “Both Ivy and Callie found this work inherently motivating. Their limitless appetite for delicious treats was also an asset. In fact, it was much harder to convince them to take a break than to commence work. Callie in particular made sure there was no dilly-dallying," Kiiroja said. Watch: Robot dogs revolutionising warfare | The rise of Canine soldiers The two dogs were trained by the researchers to recognise the odour from the facemasks. In the study, the canines were able to identify the stressed and non-stressed facemask samples. The two dogs were also tested to check if they can detect VOCs associated with stress accurately. In that experiment, Ivy was 74 per cent accurate and Callie's performance was 81 per cent on spot, as per the team. Ivy’s performance was connected with anxiety and Callie’s was correlated with shame. "Although both dogs performed at very high accuracy, they seemed to have a slightly different idea of what they considered a ‘stressed’ breath sample," Kiiroja said. (With inputs from agencies)

Dogs will be able to dig out traumatic flashbacks from human minds by sniffing breath, claim scientists

Dogs have a good understanding of certain words and they know what these words stand for, a study has revealed, based on recordings of their brain activity.

The study was conducted by Marianna Boros at Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest, Hungary, and her colleagues. The experiment was conducted on 18 dogs of different breeds, including Border collies, toy poodles and Labrador retrievers.

It was revealed that dogs can reach beyond basic commands such as ‘sit’ and ‘fetch’.

<h2>How was the experiment conducted?</h2>

The owners of the dogs selected five familiar objects for each of their pets. During the experiment, they would utter the name of one of these objects and then present either the named object or a different one to the dog.

Using electroencephalography (EEG), the researchers monitored the brainwaves of each dog. They aimed to observe any variances in brain activity when the dog's owner mentioned a specific object, such as a "ball", but displayed a different item, like a stick, as opposed to when both the spoken word and the presented object matched.

“The idea was that if dogs understand the meaning of the words, their brain responses will differ between the presentation of matching and mismatching objects,” said Boros.

<h2>Results of the study</h2>

The results showed that distinct EEG signals were monitored when the objects didn't match with the words. A more pronounced effect on dogs was observed for words that they were more familiar with.

“The most important realisation of this study is not only that non-humans are capable of understanding words referentially, but this capacity seems to be generally present in dogs as well,” added Boros. “This study demonstrates that dogs may understand more than they show.”

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These findings mirror similar patterns seen in humans, implying that dogs possess an understanding that certain words correlate with specific objects.

(With inputs from agencies)

Dogs have a good understanding of certain words and they know what these words stand for, a study has revealed, based on recordings of their brain activity. The study was conducted by Marianna Boros at Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest, Hungary, and her colleagues.

Dogs have a good understanding of certain words and they know what these words stand for, a study has revealed, based on recordings of their brain activity. The study was conducted by Marianna Boros at Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest, Hungary, and her colleagues. The experiment was conducted on 18 dogs of different breeds, including Border collies, toy poodles and Labrador retrievers. It was revealed that dogs can reach beyond basic commands such as ‘sit’ and ‘fetch’. How was the experiment conducted? The owners of the dogs selected five familiar objects for each of their pets. During the experiment, they would utter the name of one of these objects and then present either the named object or a different one to the dog. Using electroencephalography (EEG), the researchers monitored the brainwaves of each dog. They aimed to observe any variances in brain activity when the dog's owner mentioned a specific object, such as a "ball", but displayed a different item, like a stick, as opposed to when both the spoken word and the presented object matched. “The idea was that if dogs understand the meaning of the words, their brain responses will differ between the presentation of matching and mismatching objects,” said Boros. Results of the study The results showed that distinct EEG signals were monitored when the objects didn't match with the words. A more pronounced effect on dogs was observed for words that they were more familiar with. “The most important realisation of this study is not only that non-humans are capable of understanding words referentially, but this capacity seems to be generally present in dogs as well,” added Boros. “This study demonstrates that dogs may understand more than they show.” Also read: Astronomers call to protect radio silence on Moon`s far side amid growing scientific interest in the region These findings mirror similar patterns seen in humans, implying that dogs possess an understanding that certain words correlate with specific objects. (With inputs from agencies)

Dogs understand nouns and know what some words stand for, study reveals

The emergence of a deadly virus in the Colorado River of southern California has sparked significant concern among researchers and pet owners alike. According to a report by the New York Post, the virus in question is Heterobilharzia americana, colloquially known as a liver fluke. While previously documented in regions like Texas, its presence in California signifies a troubling westward expansion, posing a dire threat to both animal health and environmental stability.

Heterobilharzia americana is notorious for inducing a life-threatening condition in dogs known as schistosomiasis. This parasite is typically contracted when dogs come into contact with freshwater habitats inhabited by infected snails, a common occurrence during activities such as swimming or wading.

<h2>Research efforts and alarming findings</h2>

Responding to reports of infected dogs in the area, a team of researchers from UC Riverside embarked on a comprehensive investigation. Between March and August 2023, they meticulously examined 2,000 snails along the banks of the Colorado River, uncovering unsettling truths: the parasite's prevalence in the region far exceeded previous estimations.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/your-dog-keeps-count-of-the-treats-you-give-study-says-661756">Also read |&nbsp;Your dog keeps count of the treats you give, study says</a>

The revelation of this deadly virus carries profound implications across various sectors, encompassing public health, veterinary medicine, and biodiversity conservation. Recognising the virus's broader distribution is paramount for devising effective strategies to mitigate its spread and safeguard both human and animal populations.

The identification of the virus in the Colorado River region marks a significant milestone, representing its westernmost occurrence within the United States.&nbsp;

Understanding the symptoms of Heterobilharzia americana infection is crucial for prompt intervention. Affected dogs may display symptoms such as lethargy, loss of appetite, weight loss, gastrointestinal distress, coughing, and alterations in urination patterns.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/your-dog-may-live-longer-if-they-have-these-physical-traits-uk-study-686469">Also read |&nbsp;Your Dog may live longer if they have these physical traits: UK Study</a>

Certain canine demographics, including young, large breed, hunting, or herding dogs, are particularly susceptible, necessitating heightened vigilance and proactive preventative measures.

(With inputs from agencies)

The emergence of a deadly virus in the Colorado River of southern California has sparked significant concern among researchers and pet owners alike. According to a report by the New York Post, the virus in question is Heterobilharzia americana, colloquially known as a liver fluke.

The emergence of a deadly virus in the Colorado River of southern California has sparked significant concern among researchers and pet owners alike. According to a report by the New York Post, the virus in question is Heterobilharzia americana, colloquially known as a liver fluke. While previously documented in regions like Texas, its presence in California signifies a troubling westward expansion, posing a dire threat to both animal health and environmental stability. Heterobilharzia americana is notorious for inducing a life-threatening condition in dogs known as schistosomiasis. This parasite is typically contracted when dogs come into contact with freshwater habitats inhabited by infected snails, a common occurrence during activities such as swimming or wading. Research efforts and alarming findings Responding to reports of infected dogs in the area, a team of researchers from UC Riverside embarked on a comprehensive investigation. Between March and August 2023, they meticulously examined 2,000 snails along the banks of the Colorado River, uncovering unsettling truths: the parasite's prevalence in the region far exceeded previous estimations. Also read | Your dog keeps count of the treats you give, study says The revelation of this deadly virus carries profound implications across various sectors, encompassing public health, veterinary medicine, and biodiversity conservation. Recognising the virus's broader distribution is paramount for devising effective strategies to mitigate its spread and safeguard both human and animal populations. The identification of the virus in the Colorado River region marks a significant milestone, representing its westernmost occurrence within the United States. Understanding the symptoms of Heterobilharzia americana infection is crucial for prompt intervention. Affected dogs may display symptoms such as lethargy, loss of appetite, weight loss, gastrointestinal distress, coughing, and alterations in urination patterns. Also read | Your Dog may live longer if they have these physical traits: UK Study Certain canine demographics, including young, large breed, hunting, or herding dogs, are particularly susceptible, necessitating heightened vigilance and proactive preventative measures. (With inputs from agencies)

‘Liver fluke’ parasite spreading quickly, infection puts dogs at risk across US

Face-drenching licks by dogs feel delightful to dog owners. While some push their pooches away, others positively indulge in their pet's affection. It's a heartwarming scene but not the healthiest thing for the dog owner.

Face-drenching licks by dogs feel delightful to dog owners. While some push their pooches away, others positively indulge in their pet's affection. It's a heartwarming scene but not the healthiest thing for the dog owner. In an article published in The Conversation, Jacqueline Boyd, a senior lecturer in Animal Science at Nottingham Trent University, describes how a dog's way of showing affection by licking can do more harm than good. Licking is a crucial action for dogs. When a dog licks its mouth repeatedly, it could be a slight sign of stress or fear. They also use lip-licking as a behavioural response to their owner's emotional state. They lick their lips more frequently when they see angry faces. Almost all canine owners report being licked on their face by their dog. However, for people who are immunocompromised, have open wounds, or have a dog that has a track record of eating faeces, it's best to avoid face licks. According to Boyd, a dog's mouth has several microorganisms that are low risk for humans. However, there are rare cases when certain infections can pass from dogs to humans by bites, licks or scratches. For instance, Capnocytophaga canimorsus, a bacteria found in the mouths of up to 75 per cent of otherwise healthy dogs and cats, can cause life-threatening sepsis. Other microbes like Pasteurella multocida can also spread by contact with dog saliva, resulting in meningitis. Antibiotic resistance has become a concerning global health challenge. Canine saliva can also be a potential source of bacteria carrying antibiotic-resistant genes. ALSO READ | Scientists develop recyclable ‘water batteries’ that never explode A German study of 2,800 hospital patients and their companion animals in 2023 proved "that the sharing of multidrug-resistant organisms between companion animals and their owners is possible." However, the study identified only a handful of cases. Thus, the researchers concluded that "cat or dog ownership isn't a significant risk factor for multidrug-resistant organism colonisation in hospital patients." In the past, animal saliva has been used for wound healing, with some dogs specially trained to lick open wounds. However, there's no strong evidence which shows that allowing animals, especially dogs, to lick wounds will help them heal. Having a dog can have healing effects on your mental health. However, allowing animals to lick open wounds can put the owner at an increased risk of infection. (With inputs from agencies)

Pet owners beware! Allowing your dog to lick your face can be unhealthy and even fatal

We are living in the age of robots. Robots may not be around to just serve us ... and make our lives better. But with advancements in AI powered robotic dogs ... the questions of human life and death could soon depend on the split second decisions made by AI. In the latest ... Chinese scientists have developed robotic dogs ... that can shoot like a pro. Up until now, the legion of robotic dogs being produced by China were used as novelty electronic pets or for doing mundane tasks. But these robotic dogs ... now being developed in China ... can change the future of warfare. These robotic dogs have been tested to fire a machine gun with the accuracy of a skilled shooter. And guess what ... these dogs have already proven themselves to be better shooters ... than the best human soldiers on the battlefield. Mohammed Saleh brings you the details.

Chinese robotic dogs shoot like a pro

Robotic dogs can fire a machine gun with the accuracy of a skilled shooter. China's robotic dogs could revolutionize the future of warfare. Molly Gambhir telling you more.

Gravitas | Is China creating robotic dogs?

Oxana Malaya, a woman from Ukraine claims to have been raised by stray dogs after her parents left her out in the cold at the age of three. Over the years she adopted traits of her newfound fur family which included barking, growling, and walking on all fours.&nbsp;

<h2>How did Malaya end up with stray dogs?</h2>

Growing up we were fascinated with stories like Tarzan and Mowgli, about children who were separated from their human habitat to live with wild animals, and while these stories typically have a happy ending, it is far from the reality of such cases seen over the years, like Oxana Malaya’s story.&nbsp;

In an interview with 60 Minutes Australia, Malaya recalled how at the age of three she was locked outside in the cold by her alcoholic parents who “were too drunk to take care of her”. She eventually found her way to their pup Naida’s kennel where she lived till the age of nine.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/bats-viruses-and-immunity-research-reveals-how-bats-could-help-prevent-future-pandemics-692449">Bats, viruses, and immunity: Research reveals how bats could help prevent future pandemics</a>

“Mom had too many kids…we didn’t have enough beds,” Malaya, who turned 40 last November, told “60 Minutes Australia” speaking about her abusive childhood in the Ukrainian village of Nova Blahovishchenka.&nbsp;

She was quickly welcomed as a part of the “pack” and eventually abandoned her ability to speak for barks and growls in the six years that she lived with her dog and other neighbourhood strays, reported the New York Post.

“I would talk to them, they would bark and I would repeat it,” said Malaya, adding that this was their “way of communication.”

<h2>Long journey</h2>

At the age of nine, Malaya was taken away from her pack after Ukrainian authorities were alerted about the child’s canine-like condition. However, attempts to take the nine-year-old were met with fierce resistance by the dogs, but they eventually managed to succeed.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/bats-viruses-and-immunity-research-reveals-how-bats-could-help-prevent-future-pandemics-692449">US: United Airlines flight diverted after passengers spot damaged wing at 31000 feet. Watch!</a>

By then, Malaya also licked herself clean, ate raw meat, rummaged through garbage bins for food, and walked on her hands and knees. Her condition was described as “catastrophic” for her development.&nbsp;

“I don’t think she’s ever going to be able to read or do anything else that is going to be useful,” child psychologist Lyn Fry said about Malaya, as quoted by the New York Post. “If you haven’t got language by about 5, you’re probably not going to get language at all.”

In 2006, Malaya reunited with her family but it was not enough to heal her years of trauma. “When I feel lonely, I find myself doing anything I crawl on all fours. This is how lonely I feel,” she told 60 Minutes Australia.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

Oxana Malaya, a woman from Ukraine claims to have been raised by stray dogs after her parents left her out in the cold at the age of three. Over the years she adopted traits of her newfound fur family which included barking, growling, and walking on all fours.

Oxana Malaya, a woman from Ukraine claims to have been raised by stray dogs after her parents left her out in the cold at the age of three. Over the years she adopted traits of her newfound fur family which included barking, growling, and walking on all fours. How did Malaya end up with stray dogs? Growing up we were fascinated with stories like Tarzan and Mowgli, about children who were separated from their human habitat to live with wild animals, and while these stories typically have a happy ending, it is far from the reality of such cases seen over the years, like Oxana Malaya’s story. In an interview with 60 Minutes Australia, Malaya recalled how at the age of three she was locked outside in the cold by her alcoholic parents who “were too drunk to take care of her”. She eventually found her way to their pup Naida’s kennel where she lived till the age of nine. Also Read | Bats, viruses, and immunity: Research reveals how bats could help prevent future pandemics “Mom had too many kids…we didn’t have enough beds,” Malaya, who turned 40 last November, told “60 Minutes Australia” speaking about her abusive childhood in the Ukrainian village of Nova Blahovishchenka. She was quickly welcomed as a part of the “pack” and eventually abandoned her ability to speak for barks and growls in the six years that she lived with her dog and other neighbourhood strays, reported the New York Post. “I would talk to them, they would bark and I would repeat it,” said Malaya, adding that this was their “way of communication.” Long journey At the age of nine, Malaya was taken away from her pack after Ukrainian authorities were alerted about the child’s canine-like condition. However, attempts to take the nine-year-old were met with fierce resistance by the dogs, but they eventually managed to succeed. Also Read | US: United Airlines flight diverted after passengers spot damaged wing at 31000 feet. Watch! By then, Malaya also licked herself clean, ate raw meat, rummaged through garbage bins for food, and walked on her hands and knees. Her condition was described as “catastrophic” for her development. “I don’t think she’s ever going to be able to read or do anything else that is going to be useful,” child psychologist Lyn Fry said about Malaya, as quoted by the New York Post. “If you haven’t got language by about 5, you’re probably not going to get language at all.” In 2006, Malaya reunited with her family but it was not enough to heal her years of trauma. “When I feel lonely, I find myself doing anything I crawl on all fours. This is how lonely I feel,” she told 60 Minutes Australia. (With inputs from agencies)

Ukrainian woman says she was ‘raised’ by dogs, learned to bark, grow, walked on all fours

Small "toy" breeds, as per new research, often have doubled-up teeth similar to sharks' mouths. New research published in the journal 'Research in Veterinary Science' shows that seven per cent of pet dogs, mostly smaller breeds, exhibit the condition known as persistent deciduous teeth.&nbsp;

<h2>Shark teeth</h2>

This occurs when a dog's baby teeth remain in the jaw, close to the adult teeth, instead of falling out, creating rows of teeth resembling those of sharks.

To explore this weird phenomenon, Corrin Wallis and her team at the Waltham Petcare Science Institute in Leicestershire, UK, analysed records from 2.8 million pure-bred dogs in the US from veterinary visits between January 2010 and December 2014.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/wake-up-call-first-of-its-kind-un-report-finds-22-migratory-animals-face-extinction-thanks-to-humans-689572">‘Wake up call’: First-of-its-kind UN report finds 22% migratory animals face extinction, thanks to humans</a>

Upon categorising 60 breeds into six size groups, ranging from extra-small (less than 6.5 kg) to extra-large (over 40 kg), they found that around 15 per cent of extra-small dogs had shark teeth, compared to less than one per cent of dogs in categories heavier than 15 kg.&nbsp;

Among toy breeds, Yorkshire terriers, toy poodles, Malteses, and chihuahuas showed the highest prevalence of these "shark teeth" — Yorkshire terriers had the highest at 25 per cent.&nbsp;

In comparison, Greyhounds had the lowest incidence across all breeds at just 0.1 per cent.

<h2>Why do dogs have 'shark teeth'?</h2>

According to the team of researchers, the higher prevalence of shark teeth in smaller breeds could be due to their smaller mouths.

Dan O'Neill at the Royal Veterinary College in London suggested that very short-nosed dogs were nearly three times as likely to have shark teeth as those with average nose lengths.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/whos-the-dad-stingray-pregnant-without-any-male-companion-aquarium-690301">Who’s the dad? Stingray pregnant without any male companion of her species in aquarium</a>

Deciduous teeth "is a disorder that's heavily related to breed, and that's key, because that means we can change that if we wish," he said.

Wallis and her team also found a connection between obesity and shark teeth, which were 11 per cent more common in overweight dogs. However, as per O'Neill, the reason for this link is unclear.

Further research in dogs is necessary to understand this new finding. Wallis and her colleagues, as per New Scientist, stress that it is important to get your pet&nbsp;regular veterinary care to check for persistent deciduous teeth. They recommend the removal of "shark teeth" to prevent complications.

(With inputs from agencies)

Small "toy" breeds, as per new research, often have doubled-up teeth similar to sharks' mouths. New research published in the journal 'Research in Veterinary Science' shows that seven per cent of pet dogs, mostly smaller breeds, exhibit the condition known as persistent deciduous teeth.

Small "toy" breeds, as per new research, often have doubled-up teeth similar to sharks' mouths. New research published in the journal 'Research in Veterinary Science' shows that seven per cent of pet dogs, mostly smaller breeds, exhibit the condition known as persistent deciduous teeth. Shark teeth This occurs when a dog's baby teeth remain in the jaw, close to the adult teeth, instead of falling out, creating rows of teeth resembling those of sharks. To explore this weird phenomenon, Corrin Wallis and her team at the Waltham Petcare Science Institute in Leicestershire, UK, analysed records from 2.8 million pure-bred dogs in the US from veterinary visits between January 2010 and December 2014. Also read | ‘Wake up call’: First-of-its-kind UN report finds 22% migratory animals face extinction, thanks to humans Upon categorising 60 breeds into six size groups, ranging from extra-small (less than 6.5 kg) to extra-large (over 40 kg), they found that around 15 per cent of extra-small dogs had shark teeth, compared to less than one per cent of dogs in categories heavier than 15 kg. Among toy breeds, Yorkshire terriers, toy poodles, Malteses, and chihuahuas showed the highest prevalence of these "shark teeth" — Yorkshire terriers had the highest at 25 per cent. In comparison, Greyhounds had the lowest incidence across all breeds at just 0.1 per cent. Why do dogs have 'shark teeth'? According to the team of researchers, the higher prevalence of shark teeth in smaller breeds could be due to their smaller mouths. Dan O'Neill at the Royal Veterinary College in London suggested that very short-nosed dogs were nearly three times as likely to have shark teeth as those with average nose lengths. Also read | Who’s the dad? Stingray pregnant without any male companion of her species in aquarium Deciduous teeth "is a disorder that's heavily related to breed, and that's key, because that means we can change that if we wish," he said. Wallis and her team also found a connection between obesity and shark teeth, which were 11 per cent more common in overweight dogs. However, as per O'Neill, the reason for this link is unclear. Further research in dogs is necessary to understand this new finding. Wallis and her colleagues, as per New Scientist, stress that it is important to get your pet regular veterinary care to check for persistent deciduous teeth. They recommend the removal of "shark teeth" to prevent complications. (With inputs from agencies)

New research suggests your Chihuahua or other toy breed dog may have 'shark teeth'.  Here's what it means

Researchers have uncovered notable variations in average lifespans based on factors such as size, head shape, and gender, in a comprehensive study of nearly 600,000 British dogs representing over 150 breeds. It found that small, long-nosed breeds lived nearly two and a half years longer on average than large, short-nosed breeds.

The findings, published in the journal Scientific Reports, highlighted potential risks and threw open the scope for further research to improve the canine well-being.

Also watch |&nbsp;UK Study: Small, long-nosed dogs live longer

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The study, led by Dogs Trust, a British dog welfare charity, disclosed that large breeds and those with flat faces exhibited shorter average lifespans compared to smaller counterparts and dogs with elongated snouts.&nbsp;

Female dogs, on average, lived slightly longer than their male counterparts.

While exceptions exist, the research may not be universally applicable outside Britain due to divergent breeding practices and gene pools.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/britains-dogflation-forces-thousands-of-pet-owners-to-abandon-their-dogs-681559">Britain's 'Dogflation' forces thousands of pet owners to abandon their dogs</a>

Experts call for the need for additional research to unravel the reasons behind these breed-specific differences.&nbsp;

Genetic factors to health issues in certain breeds are also known yet other factors like behavior, lifestyle, diet, and environment may contribute to varying lifespans.

The UK study utilised a database of 584,734 British dogs from various sources, including breed registries, pet insurance companies, and veterinary records.

The median lifespan across all dogs was 12.5 years, with significant variations among breeds. Lancashire heelers, a petite herding breed, boasted an average lifespan of 15.4 years, while the much larger Caucasian shepherd dogs averaged just 5.4 years.

The study categorised breeds into small, medium, or large sizes and flat-faced, medium-proportioned, or long-faced head shapes.&nbsp;

Small breeds, on average, outlived large breeds, consistent with prior research in dogs and other mammals. Flat-faced breeds, known as brachycephalic, had shorter lifespans than medium- and long-faced breeds.

<h2>Purebred dogs live longer than crossbred ones: UK Study</h2>

The study contradicted some prior research by revealing that, as a group, purebred dogs lived longer on average than crossbred dogs. The complexity of this issue challenges the conventional wisdom that mixed-breed dogs are always healthier, prompting experts to explore the nuanced factors contributing to canine longevity.

(With inputs from agencies)

Researchers have uncovered notable variations in average lifespans based on factors such as size, head shape, and gender, in a comprehensive study of nearly 600,000 British dogs representing over 150 breeds.

Researchers have uncovered notable variations in average lifespans based on factors such as size, head shape, and gender, in a comprehensive study of nearly 600,000 British dogs representing over 150 breeds. It found that small, long-nosed breeds lived nearly two and a half years longer on average than large, short-nosed breeds. The findings, published in the journal Scientific Reports, highlighted potential risks and threw open the scope for further research to improve the canine well-being. Also watch | UK Study: Small, long-nosed dogs live longer × The study, led by Dogs Trust, a British dog welfare charity, disclosed that large breeds and those with flat faces exhibited shorter average lifespans compared to smaller counterparts and dogs with elongated snouts. Female dogs, on average, lived slightly longer than their male counterparts. While exceptions exist, the research may not be universally applicable outside Britain due to divergent breeding practices and gene pools. Also read | Britain's 'Dogflation' forces thousands of pet owners to abandon their dogs Experts call for the need for additional research to unravel the reasons behind these breed-specific differences. Genetic factors to health issues in certain breeds are also known yet other factors like behavior, lifestyle, diet, and environment may contribute to varying lifespans. The UK study utilised a database of 584,734 British dogs from various sources, including breed registries, pet insurance companies, and veterinary records. The median lifespan across all dogs was 12.5 years, with significant variations among breeds. Lancashire heelers, a petite herding breed, boasted an average lifespan of 15.4 years, while the much larger Caucasian shepherd dogs averaged just 5.4 years. The study categorised breeds into small, medium, or large sizes and flat-faced, medium-proportioned, or long-faced head shapes. Small breeds, on average, outlived large breeds, consistent with prior research in dogs and other mammals. Flat-faced breeds, known as brachycephalic, had shorter lifespans than medium- and long-faced breeds. Purebred dogs live longer than crossbred ones: UK Study The study contradicted some prior research by revealing that, as a group, purebred dogs lived longer on average than crossbred dogs. The complexity of this issue challenges the conventional wisdom that mixed-breed dogs are always healthier, prompting experts to explore the nuanced factors contributing to canine longevity. (With inputs from agencies)

Your Dog may live longer if they have these physical traits: UK Study

After years of discussion and different studies, scientists have finally uncovered the mystery of why little dogs live longer than their bigger counterparts. The study conducted by the University of Washington has stated that although both little and big pups suffered from a similar number of health conditions, the larger breeds tend to experience more severe ailments.&nbsp;

The study published in PLOS ONE analysed data from over 27,500 puppers, including 238 breeds, spread across the United States. Under the Dog Aging Project (DAP), dog owners self-selected and enrolled one dog from their household.&nbsp;

"Enrollment consisted of completing a web-based Health and Life Experience Survey (HLES) that elicited information from the dog owner on a wide array of topics," the study stated.&nbsp;

Notably, in the health status section, dog owners were asked if their dogs had ever been diagnosed with various medical conditions regardless of their current status.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/hachiko-worlds-most-loyal-dog-turns-100-hachikos-loyal-echoes-acrioss-generations-wion-656798">Watch | Hachiko: World's most loyal dog turns 100 | Hachiko's loyal echoes across generations</a>

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<h2>What did the study find?&nbsp;</h2>

The dogs ranged in age from puppies to very senior dogs, with a median age of seven&nbsp;years. After going through the comprehensive set of data, researchers found that&nbsp;larger dogs&nbsp;were prone to cancer, bone-related diseases, gastrointestinal problems, neurological and endocrine conditions, ears, nose, and throat issues, and infectious diseases.

"Growth patterns in larger dog breeds involve rapid weight gain throughout the period of skeletal development and maturity, which has been linked to increased risk of developmental musculoskeletal and orthopedic diseases including hip dysplasia, osteoarthritis, and osteochondrosis," the study noted.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/britains-dogflation-forces-thousands-of-pet-owners-to-abandon-their-dogs-681559">Also read |&nbsp;Britain's 'Dogflation' forces thousands of pet owners to abandon their dogs</a>

Meanwhile, the small dogs largely suffered from cardiac, respiratory and ocular issues. Some also had to contend with liver and pancreatic diseases.&nbsp;

Despite the findings, the scientists said more research was needed to clarify the links between dog age, size and disease prevalence.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"This study does not confirm any causal relationship between dog size, age, and disease.&nbsp;'However, the findings could help lead to deeper understanding of the types of conditions that may underlie the lower lifespan of larger dogs," said lead author Yunbi Nam.&nbsp;

Nonetheless, the study could help&nbsp;veterinarians better treat the large dogs by taking in consideration the common medical conditions they suffer from.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

After years of discussion and different studies, scientists have finally uncovered the mystery of why little dogs live longer than their bigger counterparts. The study conducted by the University of Washington has stated that although both little and big pups suffered from a similar number of health conditions, the larger breeds tend to experience more severe ailments.

After years of discussion and different studies, scientists have finally uncovered the mystery of why little dogs live longer than their bigger counterparts. The study conducted by the University of Washington has stated that although both little and big pups suffered from a similar number of health conditions, the larger breeds tend to experience more severe ailments. The study published in PLOS ONE analysed data from over 27,500 puppers, including 238 breeds, spread across the United States. Under the Dog Aging Project (DAP), dog owners self-selected and enrolled one dog from their household. "Enrollment consisted of completing a web-based Health and Life Experience Survey (HLES) that elicited information from the dog owner on a wide array of topics," the study stated. Notably, in the health status section, dog owners were asked if their dogs had ever been diagnosed with various medical conditions regardless of their current status. Watch | Hachiko: World's most loyal dog turns 100 | Hachiko's loyal echoes across generations × What did the study find? The dogs ranged in age from puppies to very senior dogs, with a median age of seven years. After going through the comprehensive set of data, researchers found that larger dogs were prone to cancer, bone-related diseases, gastrointestinal problems, neurological and endocrine conditions, ears, nose, and throat issues, and infectious diseases. "Growth patterns in larger dog breeds involve rapid weight gain throughout the period of skeletal development and maturity, which has been linked to increased risk of developmental musculoskeletal and orthopedic diseases including hip dysplasia, osteoarthritis, and osteochondrosis," the study noted. Also read | Britain's 'Dogflation' forces thousands of pet owners to abandon their dogs Meanwhile, the small dogs largely suffered from cardiac, respiratory and ocular issues. Some also had to contend with liver and pancreatic diseases. Despite the findings, the scientists said more research was needed to clarify the links between dog age, size and disease prevalence. "This study does not confirm any causal relationship between dog size, age, and disease. 'However, the findings could help lead to deeper understanding of the types of conditions that may underlie the lower lifespan of larger dogs," said lead author Yunbi Nam. Nonetheless, the study could help veterinarians better treat the large dogs by taking in consideration the common medical conditions they suffer from. (With inputs from agencies)

Why do little pups outlive big dogs? Scientists finally have the answer

A northern Italian province&nbsp;has ordered&nbsp;DNA test for all dogs in a bid to find their owners and impose a fine on them if they fail to clean up their pet’s poop amid a crackdown on the scourge of dog litter on&nbsp;the streets.

<h2>DNA test for dogs</h2>

Once the DNA of the dog is collected, the test results will be inserted into a database, which can be used to search for the culprits and their owners.&nbsp;

The database, which is yet to be created, will be accessed by street cleaners and health officials in the&nbsp;autonomous province Bolzano-South Tyrol&nbsp;to check whose abandoned poop is littering the streets of the Italian province after genetically testing it. Subsequently,&nbsp;the owners will be&nbsp;traced&nbsp;and face fines of 50 to 500 euros ($54 to $540).

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/primitive-but-effective-washington-turns-to-dogs-and-cats-to-help-deal-with-rising-rat-problem-605906">'Primitive but effective': Washington turns to dogs and cats to help deal with rising rat problem</a>

An estimated 40,000 dogs in the province were required to undergo a DNA test at a veterinary clinic by the end of December 2023 before the initiative was introduced in January.&nbsp;

Any owner who refuses the DNA profiling for their dog, which will be made compulsory by the end of March will be fined between 292 to 1,048 euros ($318 to $1179).&nbsp;

The provincial government covering Bolzano city and surrounding towns is creating the database, said veterinary department director Paolo Zambotto.&nbsp;

Around 10,000 have already been registered. “Bolzano receives a few hundred complaints a year from citizens about improper management of public land. More than half are for dogs,” Zambotto told Reuters.

He added, “Law enforcement could only catch three or four of them because they have to go there and set up some kind of stakeout.”

<h2>Not just poop</h2>

Arnold Schuler, a provincial councillor told Rai news that the database made using the DNA tests will also be used to identify dogs killed in road accidents or that attacked other animals or people.

“In this way, we are making it easier for everyone to have their pet registered," he said.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/an-id-card-for-dogs-stray-dogs-outside-mumbai-airport-get-aadhar-with-qr-codes-says-report-616929">ID card for dogs: Strays outside India's Mumbai airport get 'Aadhaar' with QR codes</a>

Dog owners will be expected to get&nbsp;blood tests done for their dogs, at municipal dog shelters or vet clinics which cost around 60 to over 100 euros ($71 and $109).&nbsp;

The measure has also received some criticism and has mostly been questioned over how this&nbsp;complex and costly initiative will be implemented and&nbsp;managed. Many&nbsp;have questioned what will happen&nbsp;if the culprits are strays or are owned by tourists.&nbsp;

While others said it was an additional expense for the municipality and the police, who could be using these resources elsewhere.&nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

A northern Italian province has ordered DNA test for all dogs in a bid to find their owners and impose a fine on them if they fail to clean up their pet’s poop amid a crackdown on the scourge of dog litter on the streets.

A northern Italian province has ordered DNA test for all dogs in a bid to find their owners and impose a fine on them if they fail to clean up their pet’s poop amid a crackdown on the scourge of dog litter on the streets. DNA test for dogs Once the DNA of the dog is collected, the test results will be inserted into a database, which can be used to search for the culprits and their owners. The database, which is yet to be created, will be accessed by street cleaners and health officials in the autonomous province Bolzano-South Tyrol to check whose abandoned poop is littering the streets of the Italian province after genetically testing it. Subsequently, the owners will be traced and face fines of 50 to 500 euros ($54 to $540). ALSO READ | 'Primitive but effective': Washington turns to dogs and cats to help deal with rising rat problem An estimated 40,000 dogs in the province were required to undergo a DNA test at a veterinary clinic by the end of December 2023 before the initiative was introduced in January. Any owner who refuses the DNA profiling for their dog, which will be made compulsory by the end of March will be fined between 292 to 1,048 euros ($318 to $1179). The provincial government covering Bolzano city and surrounding towns is creating the database, said veterinary department director Paolo Zambotto. Around 10,000 have already been registered. “Bolzano receives a few hundred complaints a year from citizens about improper management of public land. More than half are for dogs,” Zambotto told Reuters. He added, “Law enforcement could only catch three or four of them because they have to go there and set up some kind of stakeout.” Not just poop Arnold Schuler, a provincial councillor told Rai news that the database made using the DNA tests will also be used to identify dogs killed in road accidents or that attacked other animals or people. “In this way, we are making it easier for everyone to have their pet registered," he said. ALSO READ | ID card for dogs: Strays outside India's Mumbai airport get 'Aadhaar' with QR codes Dog owners will be expected to get blood tests done for their dogs, at municipal dog shelters or vet clinics which cost around 60 to over 100 euros ($71 and $109). The measure has also received some criticism and has mostly been questioned over how this complex and costly initiative will be implemented and managed. Many have questioned what will happen if the culprits are strays or are owned by tourists. While others said it was an additional expense for the municipality and the police, who could be using these resources elsewhere. (With inputs from agencies)

‘Find and fine’: Italian province orders DNA tests for all dogs to trace owners not scooping the poop

A recent study suggests that dogs wag their tail not only to indicate happiness but also to communicate other complex emotions. A team of European researchers proposed two major theories on the evolution of tail wagging in dogs in a recent study published in the journal Biology Letters.

A recent study suggests that dogs wag their tail not only to indicate happiness but also to communicate other complex emotions. A team of European researchers proposed two major theories on the evolution of tail wagging in dogs in a recent study published in the journal Biology Letters. The study suggests that when dogs experience a positive emotion, they tend to wag their tail more towards the right. However, their wagging inclines towards the left more when they have a negative emotion. The authors stated that wagging and arousal-related hormones or neurotransmitters might be linked in the dogs' bodies. They also mentioned that there might be a connection between the stress hormone cortisol and tail wagging. Silvia Leonetti, the study's first author and research assistant in comparative bioacoustics at the Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics, told Newsweek, "Many animals have tails and use those tails for moving (an alligator swimming), balance ( a cat walking along a narrow fence), and removing pests (a horse swatting flies away from its body). But those examples contrast with domestic dogs, who use their tails primarily for communication rather than any other function." ALSO READ | Rhesus monkey cloned using new technique different from what was used for Dolly the sheep Dogs, compared to wolves, wag their tails more often and start from a very young age, suggesting that the behaviour evolved in the line after humans started domesticating them. Thus, dogs might have adapted wagging as a way to communicate with their human masters. "One study found that during food denial situations, dogs wagged their tails more when a human was present versus not, suggesting that tail wagging may also function as a requesting signal," the authors said. However, this evolution might not be deliberate. According to the study, wagging may have emerged as a by-product of another characteristic, like tameness or friendliness. The authors bred a cohort of silver foxes for over 40 generations for the research. They found that the foxes showed a dog-like tail-wagging behaviour after being selected for traits like tamability and docility. "Based on this, we hypothesise that the domestication process may have led to changes at the anatomical and behavioral level that altered tail wagging behavior in dogs," the authors said. Although these theories suggest how and why tail wagging evolved, there are many unanswered questions. "We are just scratching the surface," Andrea Ravignani, the study's senior author, said. It remains a mystery how dogs control their behaviour and how well they decipher the meaning of wagging among other dogs. "We echo the concerns of other researchers that these procedures may impair the communicative repertoire of an animal (although this should be empirically tested by comparing breeds) and reduce how well a dog can express its feelings and communicate," Ravignani said. (With inputs from agencies)

Dogs wag their tail to convey a lot more than just happiness, study finds

South Korea has passes the bill that bans the consumption of dog meat in the country. The bill will be outlaws slaughtering and selling dogs from 2027 - which is a centuries-old practice.

South Korea passes bill to ban dog meat, to be outlawed from 2027

We know that dogs have evolved particular facial muscles to appear more cute to humans, but have we unknowingly affected our canine friends' eyes? Apparently, yes.

New research suggests that ever since humans domesticated canines some 15,000 to 50,000 years ago, we have selected particular traits in dogs...eye colour included.

<h2>Impacting evolution: The human way</h2>

Writing in the journal Royal Society Open Science, researchers from Japan say that humans seem to have a penchant for puppy eyes, especially dark ones.

They found that among domesticated dogs, dark eyes are more common than their wild relatives. It was also observed that humans perceive dogs with a darker eye colour as more friendly and, thus, more desirable.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/empathy-with-our-closest-living-cousins-humans-and-apes-share-remarkable-social-memory-traits-study-finds-671294">‘Empathy with our closest living cousins’: Humans and apes share remarkable social memory traits, study finds</a>

Akitsugu Konno, the first author of the research, as quoted by The Guardian, said: "I speculate that lighter irises have some evolutionary advantage for wolves, but domestication has lost this selective pressure and darker eyes have emerged in some primitive dogs."

They believe that darker eyes may have been favoured by humans — consciously or unconsciously, during the domestication of canines from wolves to dogs.

"We speculate that a darker iris makes it more difficult to distinguish the size of the pupil and thus gives the illusion of a large pupil, which is associated with our perception of being more infant-like," adds Konno, from Teikyo University of Science.

A comparison of the iris colour of 22 images of grey wolves from different locations, with 81 images of domestic dogs, revealed that the domesticated canines had darker, reddish eyes.

<h2>Light colour or dark, which is cuter?</h2>

To give weight to their theory, the researchers conducted an experiment, where they created 12 pairs of images. Each pair showed a domestic dog with light eyes, and the same dog with dark eyes.&nbsp;

A selection of these pictures was shown to two groups of 76 and 66 people. The humans were asked to rate the dogs for various personality traits. They were also asked to rate how much they would like to interact with a dog or keep it.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/its-beginning-to-look-a-lot-like-cosmos-nasa-releases-breathtaking-image-of-a-cosmic-christmas-tree-671532">'It's beginning to look a lot like cosmos': NASA releases breathtaking image of a cosmic Christmas tree</a>

Results showed that dogs with darker eyes earned higher ratings. A higher number of people deemed them more easy-going, sociable and dependent, and less aggressive, intelligent and mature than their light-eyed counterparts.

"Overall, dogs with dark eyes may have evolved the trait largely as means to send non-threatening gaze signal to humans," said the researchers.

They found that eye colour was not directly related to the participant's desire to interact with or keep a dog. However, they speculate that the association of dark eyes with immaturity could be an influencing factor behind a human's desire to protect and care for a dog.

(With inputs from agencies)

We know that dogs have evolved particular facial muscles to appear more cute to humans, but have we unknowingly affected our canine friends' eyes? Apparently, yes.

We know that dogs have evolved particular facial muscles to appear more cute to humans, but have we unknowingly affected our canine friends' eyes? Apparently, yes. New research suggests that ever since humans domesticated canines some 15,000 to 50,000 years ago, we have selected particular traits in dogs...eye colour included. Impacting evolution: The human way Writing in the journal Royal Society Open Science, researchers from Japan say that humans seem to have a penchant for puppy eyes, especially dark ones. They found that among domesticated dogs, dark eyes are more common than their wild relatives. It was also observed that humans perceive dogs with a darker eye colour as more friendly and, thus, more desirable. Also read | ‘Empathy with our closest living cousins’: Humans and apes share remarkable social memory traits, study finds Akitsugu Konno, the first author of the research, as quoted by The Guardian, said: "I speculate that lighter irises have some evolutionary advantage for wolves, but domestication has lost this selective pressure and darker eyes have emerged in some primitive dogs." They believe that darker eyes may have been favoured by humans — consciously or unconsciously, during the domestication of canines from wolves to dogs. "We speculate that a darker iris makes it more difficult to distinguish the size of the pupil and thus gives the illusion of a large pupil, which is associated with our perception of being more infant-like," adds Konno, from Teikyo University of Science. A comparison of the iris colour of 22 images of grey wolves from different locations, with 81 images of domestic dogs, revealed that the domesticated canines had darker, reddish eyes. Light colour or dark, which is cuter? To give weight to their theory, the researchers conducted an experiment, where they created 12 pairs of images. Each pair showed a domestic dog with light eyes, and the same dog with dark eyes. A selection of these pictures was shown to two groups of 76 and 66 people. The humans were asked to rate the dogs for various personality traits. They were also asked to rate how much they would like to interact with a dog or keep it. Also read | 'It's beginning to look a lot like cosmos': NASA releases breathtaking image of a cosmic Christmas tree Results showed that dogs with darker eyes earned higher ratings. A higher number of people deemed them more easy-going, sociable and dependent, and less aggressive, intelligent and mature than their light-eyed counterparts. "Overall, dogs with dark eyes may have evolved the trait largely as means to send non-threatening gaze signal to humans," said the researchers. They found that eye colour was not directly related to the participant's desire to interact with or keep a dog. However, they speculate that the association of dark eyes with immaturity could be an influencing factor behind a human's desire to protect and care for a dog. (With inputs from agencies)

Humans can't resist puppy eyes, so much so that we have impacted their eye colour

Pet parents shift towards healthier diets, prefers home-cooked food for their pets.

Pet parents shift towards healthier diets, prefers home-cooked food for their pets

Just as humans have a wide array of options in food and grooming the pet industry in India has seen a similar evolution from diverse food choices to specialised grooming services.

Pet care industry's growth surge; grooming sector surge reflects pet hygiene priorities | WION

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