Cog-Dog Radio Herding Dog Brains with Dr Jessica Perry Hekman
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Nov 11, 2025 Dr. Jessica Perry Heckman, a biotech researcher and host of the Functional Breeding Podcast, delves into the fascinating differences in the brains of herding dogs versus their non-herding counterparts. She discusses the latest genomic research, highlighting the significance of selective sweeps in analyzing behavioral traits. The conversation also covers specific genes, including the intriguing EPHB1, and their links to learning and cognitive abilities in Border Collies. Plus, they explore the genetic distinctions between working and show lines, revealing how their roles shape behavior.
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Border Collie Learning Aptitude And Welfare
- Border Collies show exceptional learning aptitude and memory in examples like Chaser, reflecting a breed-level cognitive specialization.
- That aptitude can create welfare challenges when dogs lack safe opportunities to rest and decompress.
Create Safe Resting Spaces For High-Drive Dogs
- Provide an environment that makes resting safe and encourages downtime for high-drive dogs like Border Collies.
- Monitor and manage coping strategies to prevent chronic stress or maladaptive behaviors.
Working Vs Show Border Collie Split
- Working-line and show-line Border Collies form genetically distinct populations, with detectable GWAS markers separating them.
- The split intensified after AKC recognition, but historical imports and crossbreeding complicate timing and ancestry.