Why dogs really DO look like their owners – there may be a scientific reason
WE'VE all noticed how dogs can look uncannily like their owners. But a new study suggests there may be a scientific reason.
Scientists found dietary changes had a similar effect on the gut in both dogs and humans
Researchers found that DNA from bacteria living in the guts of our four-legged friends was more human-like than its equivalent from pigs or mice.
And dietary changes had a similar effect on the gut in both dogs and humans.
Scientists studied the microbiome, which aids digestion and metabolism, in stool samples from beagles and retrievers.
Dr Luis Coelho, of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory in Heidelberg, Germany, said: "We found many similarities between the gene content of the human and dog gut microbiomes.
"The results of this comparison suggest that we are more similar to man's best friend than we originally thought."
Studying dogs could help scientists better understand the impact of diet on human gut microbes and its effect on health, he added.
"Many people consider pets as part of the family. And like humans, dogs have a growing obesity problem," said Dr Coelho.
"Therefore, it is important to study the implications of different diets."
The research is published in the open access journal Microbiome.