Clever Evolution to Explain Puppy Eyes

We’ve all been on the receiving end of it: a wishful dog peeringout from under the table gives you his best shot at puppy eyes as you lift aforkful of chicken into your mouth. We’ve loved reporting on the various waysdogs have evolved to cohabitate with humans, and especially how some characteristicsreflect the species keen adaptation to our human ways. The newest research onthe matter hasn’t let us down, so we knew we’d share with our readers…

A few weeks ago, a team of researchers at the National Academy ofSciences reported that dogs make puppy eyes -- that look of quizzicalanticipation -- more frequently than wolves. In fact, officially coined “AU101:inner eyebrow raise” the look we so often see as a dog cocks its head may be aresult of clever evolution and positive reinforcement. The proof is in thepudding here; dogs have evolved to have muscles above their eyebrows that makefor a more expressive face, while wolves, despite having similar muscleconstruction, don’t lift their eyebrows. This bit of domesticated biology hasbeen working in dog’s favors, perhaps passing the favorable trait down throughthe generations. For example, an expressive dog with puppy eyes is more likelyto be adopted from a shelter, and in studies conducted on human preference,research has shown that people prefer pets which infant like features -- suchas wide, hopeful eyes -- a characteristic that kicks our “nurturing” instinctinto gear. Puppy eyes aren’t the only way dogs continue to steal our hearts –according to other research in the field, both human and dog share a boost of Oxytocinwhen reunited, the love hormone that reinforces bonds and keeps our canines soloyal.

Allthis to say, we’re happy these lovable companions continue to choose us and ourcouches over the wild woods!