Dogs have been selectively bred to have similar facial expressions to humans.
Dogs have been bred to have similar facial expressions to humans
A study from experts at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh found that canines have muscles in their faces that closely resemble those of humans, allowing them to form facial expressions close to our own.
The team's findings claim that the features have been bred by humans over the past 33,000 years when mankind started breeding wolves.
Professor Anne Burrows, the senior author of the study, said: "Throughout the domestication process, humans may have bred dogs selectively based on facial expressions that were similar to their own, and over time dog muscles could have evolved to become 'faster', further benefiting communication between dogs and humans.
"Dogs are unique from other mammals in their reciprocated bond with humans which can be demonstrated through mutual gaze, something we do not observe between humans and other domesticated mammals such as horses or cats."