Scientists reveal dogs less likely to "catch" yawns from strangers

Researchers have found that the impulse to yawn is more likely to be spread between owners and their dogs, than between dogs and strangers.

The study was carried out by scientists at the University of Tokyo, who used 25 dogs and their owners, plus a stranger, to conduct their research.

While it is already known that contagious yawning – yawning after seeing or hearing someone else do so – is seen in both humans and dogs, the team wanted to know whether the response is linked to empathy in dogs.

The study revealed that the dogs more frequently "caught" yawns from their owner than from the stranger, which suggests the process is linked to emotional bonds.

Since yawning is a common sign of distress in dogs, the scientists measured their heart rates throughout the study and were able to conclude that anxiety levels remained consistent.

Teresa Romero, co-author of the study, wrote: "Our findings are consistent with the view that contagious yawning is modulated by affective components in the behaviour and may indicate that rudimentary forms of empathy could be present in domesticated dogs."

The study has been published in the Public Library Of Science (PLOS) One journal.

Image courtesy of Toshikazu Hasegawa/University of Tokyo