Breeding for ‘Cuteness’ Is Making Dogs and Cats Look More Alike

image via New Scientist

May 12, 2025, 11:00 AM

• •Brachycephalic dogs and cats, with flat faces, share more skull similarities with each other than with their wild ancestors due to human-driven selective breeding.
• •This selective breeding prioritizes babylike features, leading to health issues like breathing difficulties and other problems.
• •Research compared 3D skull models of domestic and wild animals, revealing unique skull shapes in brachycephalic breeds.
• •The study emphasizes the need to understand the genetics of these features and the importance of animal welfare, suggesting mixed-breed pets from shelters as a healthier alternative.

Research shows that brachycephalic dogs and cats, like Pugs and Persians, have evolved to look alike due to selective breeding driven by human preferences for babylike features. This has resulted in skull shapes that are more similar to each other than to their wild ancestors. These features, however, lead to significant health problems for these animals. The study highlights the need for further genetic research and prioritizing animal welfare, suggesting mixed-breed pets as a healthier option.

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