Your love for dogs may be in your genes, according to a new study

If you have grown up with a family dog, you already know how strong the connection between a puppy and a person can be. They are always there to welcome you with kisses and wavy buttocks, or ready to snuggle against you on the couch when you have a bad day. But after leaving home from your childhood, you risk depriving yourself of the kind of joyous relationship that you can only have with a cute dog. If you can not imagine a life without a puppy, you can thank your genes for your love of dogs as an adult, according to a new study.

The new study, published in the journal Scientific reports, searched for there was a genetic component in the possession of a dog. The researchers in the study studied 35,035 pairs of twins born between 1926 and 1996, enrolled in the Swedish registry. They then compared this information to the Swedish dog record data, which showed a close connection between genetics and the probability of having a dog.

"We found that genetic additive factors largely contributed to the possession of a dog, heritability being estimated at 57% for women and 51% for men," concluded the researchers in the summary of the study. In other words, although the researchers did not identify specific genes that would indicate the property of a dog, they discovered that there was a genetic element in the decision to take a dog home.

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"We were surprised to see that a person's genetic makeup seems to have a significant influence on owning a dog," said Tove Fall, lead author of the study and professor of molecular epidemiology at Department of Medical Sciences and the Science for Life Laboratory of the University of Uppsala, as part of a publication of the University of Uppsala. "Although dogs and other pets are common members of the family around the world, their impact on our daily lives and our health is poorly known," she said. "Maybe some people have a greater innate propensity to take care of a pet than others."

The findings of the study also suggest that there may be a link between the genetic components that make a person likely to own a dog and the positive implications of a dog's possession for health. The mental health benefits of owning a dog are virtually limitless, so it is quite believable that whole generations of people want to bring them home. A systematic review published in BioMed Central Psychiatry analyzed 17 studies on dog ownership and mental health to conclude that people with mental illness who had a pet were better equipped to handle the work associated with managing their condition. This effect was particularly strong in crisis situations.

But even people without mental health problems can benefit from a pet. According to the Mental Health Foundation, walking with a dog can not only encourage you to be active and look regular, but also to meet people you may not be with. not been in contact. According to the organization, "walking a dog often leads to conversations with other dog owners and this helps owners stay socially connected and less withdrawn".

Whether you've adopted your little fluffball because you needed emotional support during difficult times or just wanted your fast running partner to pant at your side at the weekend, your life will certainly be enriched with your dog . And it's fantastic as paw.