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Dogs Have Bigger Brains Than Cats Because They Are More Sociable, Research Finds
Science Daily ^ | 11/28/10 | Staff

Posted on 11/28/2010 4:58:06 PM PST by Nachum

Over millions of years dogs have developed bigger brains than cats because highly social species of mammals need more brain power than solitary animals, according to a study by Oxford University. For the first time researchers have attempted to chart the evolutionary history of the brain across different groups of mammals over 60 million years. They have discovered that there are huge variations in how the brains of different groups of mammals have evolved over that time.

(Excerpt) Read more at sciencedaily.com ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: bigger; brains; cats; doggieping; dogs; have; kittyping
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To: UCANSEE2

I kind of like Bolton, he tells it like it is. Many people and countries cannot handle his brand of frankness anymore.


61 posted on 11/28/2010 6:32:51 PM PST by NY Attitude (Make love not war but be prepared for either.)
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To: NY Attitude

Sorry wrong article.


62 posted on 11/28/2010 6:33:53 PM PST by NY Attitude (Make love not war but be prepared for either.)
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To: Ueriah
How can I possibly claim to be the smarter one in this relationship?

Good animal trainers of exotic pets (like lions, tigers, etc) treat the relationship as one of them being permitted to be the animal's friend.

I think of it this way. Animals are just as 'intelligent' as all other life forms, and they are 'smarter' about some things than we are. Also, some dogs are smart, some are dumb. Just like people.

63 posted on 11/28/2010 6:36:58 PM PST by UCANSEE2 (Lame and ill-informed post)
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To: GodGunsGuts; Fichori; tpanther; Gordon Greene; Ethan Clive Osgoode; betty boop; Alamo-Girl; ...
Over millions of years dogs have developed bigger brains than cats because highly social species of mammals need more brain power than solitary animals, according to a study by Oxford University.

The term *evoloserism* comes to mind.

They're claiming that dogs developed bigger brains than cats because they are more social and they needed bigger brains to deal with the social.

Well, if bigger brains are needed to be more social, then how did the dogs with smaller brains become social enough in the first place to need the bigger brains?

Sheesh. This is putting the cart before the horse. The evoloser *scientists* would have had more credibility to claim that as animals developed larger brains, they became more social.

Even still, the cause and effect of this connection is pure speculation. They can maybe tell what happened and maybe HOW something happened, but as to the *why*, they're still as clueless as ever.

But I guess they have to justify their academic welfare somehow.

64 posted on 11/28/2010 6:38:47 PM PST by metmom (Welfare was never meant to be a career choice.)
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To: cripplecreek
The only problem with dogs is that they don’t live 80 years or so.

That's because even God didn't want to force the dogs to put up with a human for that long.

65 posted on 11/28/2010 6:43:16 PM PST by UCANSEE2 (Lame and ill-informed post)
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To: rockinqsranch
You mean like this?

"Let me make this clear. Brains are...uh....uhh.. really...uh... rather overrated."

(source: http://www.chimpout.com/forum/showthread.php?152683-Obama-hit-during-basketball-game-gets-stitches)

66 posted on 11/28/2010 6:46:45 PM PST by UCANSEE2 (Lame and ill-informed post)
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To: NY Attitude
I kind of like Bolton, he tells it like it is. Many people and countries cannot handle his brand of frankness anymore.

(source: http://oaktownheidi.com/2010/03/by-popular-demand/ )

67 posted on 11/28/2010 6:49:29 PM PST by UCANSEE2 (Lame and ill-informed post)
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To: UCANSEE2

Dogs always make me think of the best Twilight zone episode ever.

The one where the guy was trying to get into heaven with his dog.


68 posted on 11/28/2010 6:49:44 PM PST by cripplecreek (Remember the River Raisin! (look it up))
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To: metmom

And what about the chihuahuas?


69 posted on 11/28/2010 6:50:41 PM PST by UCANSEE2 (Lame and ill-informed post)
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To: UCANSEE2

LOL. Thanks.


70 posted on 11/28/2010 6:52:00 PM PST by NY Attitude (Make love not war but be prepared for either.)
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To: cripplecreek
The one where the guy was trying to get into heaven with his dog.

Let me guess. The dog got in and he didn't?

71 posted on 11/28/2010 6:52:17 PM PST by UCANSEE2 (Lame and ill-informed post)
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To: UCANSEE2

Details, details......


72 posted on 11/28/2010 6:52:51 PM PST by metmom (Welfare was never meant to be a career choice.)
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To: NY Attitude

It was my pleasure.

: )


73 posted on 11/28/2010 6:53:35 PM PST by UCANSEE2 (Lame and ill-informed post)
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To: UCANSEE2
Rats are very social (at least with each other), and highly intelligent.

As a rat (and dog) owner I concur. Amazingly smart and affectionate creatures. Kinda makes me mad when they are compared to democrats, the lowest form of life on the planet.
74 posted on 11/28/2010 6:56:17 PM PST by SpaceBar
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To: NordP
Whoops, I SHOULD have posted DACHSHUNDS RULE ;----)

It's not too late.

Weinie


75 posted on 11/28/2010 6:56:33 PM PST by lonestar
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To: UCANSEE2

“No Dogs In Heaven”
An old man and his dog were walking down a hot, dusty road lined with a beautiful white fence on both sides. As they walked along, the old man and his dog became very thirsty and tired.

Soon, they came to a gate in the fence where, on the other side, they saw a nice grassy, wooded area surrounding a cool clear pool of fresh water. “Just where a thirsty ‘huntin’ dog and a man would like to rest!” thought the old man. But there was a sign over the gate that read “No Dogs” so they walked on.

Further on, they came upon a man in flowing white robes standing just inside a strong iron gate across a path that led to a beautiful, sunny meadow with a cool clear stream running through it.

“’Scuse me Sir,” said the old man, “My dog and I have been on this road all day. Mind if we come in and sit in the shade for awhile?” “Of course!” The man said. “Come on in and rest. You look thirsty and tired.” The old man said, “We sure are!” and started through the gate with his dog.

The gatekeeper stopped him. “Sorry, you can come in but your dog can’t come with you. “You see, this is Heaven, and dogs aren’t allowed here. He has to stay out here on the road.” “What kind of Heaven won’t allow dogs?” said the old man. “Well, if he can’t come in, then I’ll stay out here on the road with him. He’s been my faithful companion all his life and I won’t desert him now.”

“Suit yourself,” said the gatekeeper, “but I have to warn you, the Devil’s on this road and he’ll try to sweet talk you into his place. He’ll promise you anything, but dogs can’t go there either. If you won’t leave that dog on the road, you’ll spend all Eternity on the road with him. Better if you stay here.”

“Well, I’m stayin’ with my dog,” replied the man and he and the dog walked on. Gradually, the fence became more and more faded and rundown until they finally reached a spot where the boards fell away completely leaving a gap. Another man dressed in old, ragged clothes sat just inside the broken fence under a shady tree.

“’Scuse me Sir,” said the old man, “My dog and I have been on this road all day. Mind if we come in and sit in the shade for awhile?” “Of course!” The man said. “Come on in and rest. There’s some cold water here under the tree. Make yourself comfortable.”

The old man paused, “but what about my dog? Can he can come in, too? The man up the road said dogs weren’t allowed here, and they had to stay on the road.” The other man answered, “Well, you look pretty tired and thirsty. Would you come in here and rest if you had to leave that dog?”

“No sir!” the old man replied, “A glass of cold water and some shade would be mighty fine right about now but I won’t come in if my buddy here can’t come too. I didn’t go to Heaven because my dog couldn’t come with me, so I sure as how ain’t about to go to Hell without him neither.”

The man smiled and said, “Welcome to Heaven, and bring your dog!” The old man exclaimed, “You mean this is Heaven? And my dog can come with me? Then why did that fellow down the road say they weren’t allowed in Heaven?” The man replied, “That was the Devil and he gets all the souls who are willing to give up a life-long companion for small comfort because they think it will make their lives a little easier.”

The man continued, “They soon find out their mistake, but, then it’s too late. The dogs come here, the fickle people stay there. God wouldn’t allow dogs to be banned from Heaven. After all, He created them to be man’s companions in life, why would he separate them in death?”

- Story is based on an episode of The Twilight Zone by Rod Serling


76 posted on 11/28/2010 6:59:36 PM PST by cripplecreek (Remember the River Raisin! (look it up))
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To: metmom
Over millions of years dogs have developed bigger brains than cats

Well, I'm a dog person, but big brains or not, cats seem to be smart enough not to routinely eat their own poop unlike dogs.

77 posted on 11/28/2010 7:13:13 PM PST by AndrewC
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To: Nachum; All

Hey dog lovers!

I need help! I have a Jack Russell / Rat Terrier mix that goes through chew bones like Elizabeth Taylor goes through husbands. I have bought “busy bones” made for “strong chewers” - she loves them. They keep her busy and happy for at least a few minutes. I’d like to have something that lasts a little while.

Any ideas? (Oh, and she just laughs and shreds the Kong stuff.)


78 posted on 11/28/2010 7:16:26 PM PST by kimmie7 (I do not think BO is the antichrist, but he may very well be 665.)
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To: UCANSEE2

Ah ha I found the full episode. They don’t make em like that anymore.

http://www.fancast.com/tv/The-Twilight-Zone/97525/663071066/The-Twilight-Zone-(1-2-hr)-—The-Hunt/videos


79 posted on 11/28/2010 7:16:43 PM PST by cripplecreek (Remember the River Raisin! (look it up))
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To: MetaThought

“Did you read the article? They’re talking about “size of their brains relative to body size”.

Ah, I see. No, I wasn’t quite bored enough to read the whole article. :) According to other scientific studies, it’s not the size, it’s how you use it.


80 posted on 11/28/2010 7:41:28 PM PST by drierice (The 'stimulus' cost more than 6 years of the Iraq war.)
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