Positive Assortative Picking

For my last blog, I kind of wanted to take a chance and talk about something that I find very interesting but doubt there is much, if any, research on. In class we have learned about sexual selection and how different species pick mates. One way of doing this is through assortative mating. This is a phenotype-based mate choice. There are two types of assortative mating, positive and negative. 

Positive assortative mating is when there is preferential mating between individuals of similar phenotype. This increases homozygosity for one or a few specific traits. This basically means you choose to mate with someone that looks like you.


Negative assortative mating is when there is a preferential mating between individuals of opposite phenotypes. This increases heterozygosity and promotes variation for one or a few specific traits. This is when you choose a mate that doesn't look like you. If you have blonde hair, you look for a brunette mate. 

So, what I propose is that there might be a sense of positive assortative "picking" when it comes to picking a dog. Dogs are no longer choosen for what activities they perform. Most people who get a dog as a pet are not looking to take it out to the country and have it chase small game in the open field for hours a day every day. But what people are looking for is a cute little puppy or dog that they find cute and attractive and aesthetically pleasing. So why not want a dog that looks like you? 

It is only logical to think that people will be more attracted to a dog that reminds them of themselves. I know that my dog, Jack, has the same personality as my dad. This probably comes from 8 years of living together and being best friends but is it really absurd to think that someone with curly hair might rather have a dog with curly hair than straight hair? 


Ok, so this concept is pretty far out there but I think its something fun to think about. I have really enjoyed my time learning more about dog breeding and the history of dogs and how they have evolved from wolves. It was very interesting to find out some of the different controversies there are and to see how dogs are helping us in the field of genetic disorders. 


Dogs really do nothing but love on whatever humans are around at the time. There is not better feeling than coming home after a long day to someone that could not be more excited to see you and love on you. Having a dog in my life at all times is a major priority of mine and even if its not a dog, I hope everyone gets the chance to love a pet and see how easy it is for them to love you back because thats all animals want.