🐕🧬 Researchers at the University of #Georgia analyzed over 3,000 #dogs, #wolves, and #coyotes to identify #DNA variants near the MSRB3 gene that determine ear length.

The study explains why #bassethounds have long, droopy ears while #rottweilers have short, stubby ones – traits shaped by both natural #evolution and selective breeding.

👉 https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-026-00071-4

#genetics #biology #science #research #nature #animals

Pippin and I had the opportunity last weekend to see Pippin's sister, Adelaide. Adelaide, who is Pippin's only littermate, lives with a couple in Indiana, and they brought Adelaide along on a visit to the husband's grandmother, who lives about 20 minutes from me.

While the humans keep in touch via photos (and the occasional phone call), the two dogs had not been together since they were 13 weeks old. They are now 5. The first photo shows them as they are now. The other photo shows them at 12 weeks old. Adelaide is on the left in both photos, Pippin on the right.

#DogsOfMastodon #BassetHounds

It was four years ago today that Dermot, my beloved Basset Hound, passed away at age 13.

Dermot was still around during Pippin's first year, and while Pippin's puppy rambunctiousness was not always appreciated by the elderly gent, the two did spend significant time together in more sedate activities, such as observing the world from the daybed on the enclosed front porch.

I had hoped that Pippin would learn from Dermot's behaviour — Dermot was a hound who rarely felt the need to bark, and he had the ability to charm and put at ease everyone he met, from the elderly to infants. Pippin, alas, is much more of a goofball who is not necessarily the best student at evaluating situations, and he is far too willing to make his voice heard for my (and, I fear, my neighbours') ears. But in his quiet moments, Pippin sometimes displays Dermot's remarkable skills as a companion.

I still miss Dermot every day, but I am comforted by having his great-nephew around.

#BassetHounds #DogsOfMastodon

Like, woof.

  https://cutetropolis.com/2025/04/14/bassett-hound-dog-sunglasses/  

#BassetHounds #Dogs #Pups

Droopy dogs go to the groomers.

  https://cutetropolis.com/2025/04/07/basset-hound-dogs-grooming/  

#BassetHounds #Dogs #Pups #TheGirlWithTheDogs