ScienceNatureBig dogs age faster than little ones - rogue ‘jumping genes’ might be to blame
A study of nearly 900 dogs found large breeds age faster than small ones at a molecular level, possibly due to rogue jumping genes that alter their DNA.
Study of almost 900 dogs from roughly 120 breeds finds that rapid ageing of large canines is linked to changes in the epigenome.
A study published in Science found that large dog breeds accumulate epigenetic changes, a marker of biological ageing, at a faster rate than small breeds.
The study of nearly 900 dogs across about 120 breeds also found male dogs aged faster than females, even those neutered at a young age.
Researchers developed a molecular clock that can predict a dog's age to within a year, and found dogs whose epigenetic age exceeded their real age had a higher risk of dying within two years.
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