American researchers have tested how dogs’ appearance affects their expressiveness from a human perspective. The study involved volunteers together with their dogs. In total – 103 favorites, average age – 5.2 years.
In the course of the study, the owners of the animals participated in a survey, took pictures of their pets’ muzzles and shot 4 half-minute videos with them each.
The dogs’ muzzles were studied with regard to their shape, symmetry, color and markings. The animals were also evaluated by strangers.
As the experiment demonstrated, the markings and coloration of the pets’ muzzles have the same effect on the perception of their muzzle expressions as the markings on the muzzles of great apes: those that are simpler are perceived as more expressive.
