Labrador retrievers have a strange gene that makes them always hungry and fat easily

Research identifies a genetic mutation that increases the risk of hunger and obesity in Labradors and Flat Coated Retrievers.

According to data from the American Kennel Club, the Labrador Retriever is the most popular dog breed in the United States - for the 31st time in a row. As dog owners can attest, Labradors make very loving and loyal pets. However, this breed also tends to have a large appetite and gain weight , which puts them at many health risks.

New research by veterinarians and geneticists at the University of Cambridge has discovered a genetic mutation that may explain the breed's seemingly endless hunger and tendency toward obesity.

The Labrador retriever, often known by the familiar name Lab , is a popular hunting dog breed in the US. They belong to the group of hunting dogs and are often used to bring prey back to their owners during hunts. These cute, affectionate, active dogs are family-friendly dogs. However, their name is confusing because they do not come from Labrador but from Newfoundland, where they worked as duck hunters and fishermen, until English aristocrats brought the breed to the Kingdom. England in the 19th century and began to "refine" and standardize it.

Researchers led by Dr. Eleanor Raffan studied the pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) gene , which plays an important role in regulating hunger and how we burn calories. Labradors, along with Flat Coated Retrievers, are more likely to carry this gene mutation.

Raffan and his colleagues conducted experiments with 80 Labrador dogs, undergoing many different tests. Among them was the "sausage box" test , which aimed to tempt gluttonous dogs with a treat that they could smell and see through the box's transparent walls. Individuals with the POMC mutation often appear to be much more determined in obtaining the potential treat than dogs without the mutation. All dogs were fed a standard breakfast before performing the sausage-in-a-box task.

In fact, these dogs were born to live in water! Their thick tails serve as powerful rudders, their webbed feet help them swim quickly, and their thick waterproof fur enables them to operate even in cold waters, such as the icy waters of Newfoundland where they are found. breeding and breeding for the first time.

In another experiment, Flat Coated Retrievers slept in a special enclosure where a device measured the amount of air they exhaled. Flat Coated Retrievers with the POMC mutation typically burn 25% fewer calories than dogs without this mutation.

Estimates suggest that one in four Labrador Retrievers and two-thirds of Flat Coated Retrievers will have the mutation. Previous studies have shown that Labradors have the highest obesity rates among all dog breeds.

Problems with POMC also affect humans . Infants with compromised POMC function experience frequent hunger and obesity from a very young age.

This genetic trait results in a 'double whammy' for affected dogs. Not only do they feel more hungry, but they also have a reduced metabolic rate, meaning they burn fewer calories from the food they eat.

Interestingly, the researchers discovered that this mutation is a legacy of the St. John, an extinct breed of dog , evolved on a high-calorie diet to survive the cold maritime conditions of Canada centuries ago. So what was once an evolutionary advantage is now a major threat to today's dog breeds.

Labrador Retrievers started out as duck hunting dogs and after they were brought back to England in the 1800s, the British bred them as hunting companions. Today, they are still excellent hunting dogs, able to work in a variety of environments, and can hunt waterfowl and game for hours at a time.

'All Labrador and Flat Coated Retriever owners need to consider what they are feeding these greedy dogs to keep them at a healthy weight,' says Raffan .

Despite these genetic predispositions, obesity in Labradors is inevitable. Owners can manage their weight through diet, exercise and mental stimulation. Strategies such as spacing out meals throughout the day and ensuring plenty of physical activity can help these dogs maintain a healthy weight.

The name Labrador comes from the Portuguese word "labrador" , meaning worker. Thanks to their intelligence, eagerness to please, and willingness to work hard, Labradors are considered invaluable workers in many fields. They are one of the most popular choices for service dog work, as well as search and rescue, bomb and drug detection, and therapy dog ​​work.