Brachycephalic dogs seek more eye contact with humans

Eye contact is an important vector of communication for humans. Dogs with flat faces—such as pugs, boxers, and bulldogs—as well as certain working dogs and playful puppies, have clearly understood this, as they are more inclined to seek direct eye contact with humans, looking them straight in the eyes.   As man’s best friends, dogs are particularly well-suited to living alongside humans. Smooth and easy communication contributes to this bond. Eye contact plays an essential role in communication and interactions not only with humans but also with other species. And some dogs have clearly grasped this. As a result, these animals are particularly sentient beings who are sensitive to the direction of a human’s gaze, which helps them understand whether a message is directed at them. But it’s not just a matter of information being passed from one to the other. Eye contact also triggers chemical reactions in both parties involved, such as an increase in oxytocin levels, which plays an important role in the development of social bonds. However, not all dogs are equal when it comes to vision. Eye anatomy, breed differences, age, and personality are all factors that can influence the ability to communicate visually. Researchers wanted to explore the subject further. As a result, 130 domestic dogs were studied at the Department of Ethology at Eötvös Loránd University in Hungary. In particular, the length and width of their heads—which are linked to their visual abilities—were measured. It appears that in boxers, bulldogs, and pugs, due to their brachycephalic faces, the central area of their retinas is more pronounced, allowing them to respond better to stimuli in the central visual field. And according to the new study conducted by Hungarian ethologists, this facilitates eye contact with humans. In fact, the researchers showed that dogs with flat faces are more likely to look people in the eyes, likely because they see human faces more clearly due to the unique characteristics of their retinas. But it’s also possible that their owners look at them more often, as their distinctive faces attract human attention due to their resemblance to a child’s face. In contrast, in dogs with longer noses, the nerve cells that process visual information are distributed more evenly across their retinas, resulting in a wide panoramic view. As a result, they must concentrate harder to focus on the center of their visual field and may be more easily distracted by visual stimuli at the periphery. The researchers also examined the impact of the work for which certain dogs are bred. Sheepdogs, for example, are visually responsive and follow the direction of the herder’s hand while working with livestock. In contrast, sled dogs do not communicate visually since they run ahead of the musher and can rely only on vocal cues. Dachshunds, too, cannot see their owners when hunting in burrows. It is therefore not surprising that dogs bred for vision-based work are able to establish more effective eye contact than those trained by voice commands or for independent work. Researchers also found that older dogs have more difficulty sustaining their attention and are slower to look at humans—a natural consequence of aging. Many factors can therefore influence communication between dogs and humans. Dogs with flat faces, those that cooperate with humans, and young dogs with a playful temperament are particularly likely to look their owners directly in the eyes. This study highlights a new aspect of canine selection. While brachycephalic dog breeds have, until now, been particularly prized and selected for their appearance—especially their facial features, which more or less resemble those of a baby— it is plausible that this preference is also based on more effective communication with these dogs, who are more attentive and maintain more pronounced eye contact, thereby facilitating interactions.