If you’re a dog lover, you certainly have a feeling that dogs can communicate through their eyes. For the longest time, such idea has only been assumed among those who are sensitive and in line with their dogs’ feelings. But researchers now have scientific data to back it up!
A recent study by UK and US scientists on man’s best friend showcased and discussed that dogs evolved to be cute and have expressive eyes to enable connection and communication with humans.
The researchers came up with the result by comparing dogs and wolves and zoning in on their facial muscles. The first part of the research involved the comparison of heads of two wolves and six dogs. Studying closely, the researchers observed that both are extremely similar but there is something that the dogs have that wolves didn’t have — two prominent muscles around their eyes. These prominent muscles are the ones responsible in allowing dogs to raise their eyebrows and look at humans intently.
This eyebrow-raising movement was acquired upon domestication of dogs 33,000 years ago. These muscles allow dogs to mimic how babies look whenever they raise their eyebrows and effectively enlarge their eyes. This look in turn triggers a nurturing feeling among humans. Dogs have learned to use this muscle to ask for attention, care, and food.
The second part compared the interaction of humans with wolves compared to dogs. Observing closely, dogs were found to intensely use these muscles by raising their eyebrows compared to wolves.
Results clearly validate that upon domestication, dogs have clearly evolved into special creatures that can actually connect and fully interact with humans. They do it not just with their tails but with their eyes that can cue humans as to the level of attention and care that they need.