Why Dog Loves to Chew Bones

Why do dogs love to chew bones? Because they've got the jaws to do it, a new research studies confirmed. Joao Munoz-Doran of the National University of Colombia explains:

"And after many generations of this grouping behaviour, there are new selective pressures on their [skull shape]," said the researcher.

This pressure meant that animals with larger teeth and stronger jaws were more likely to succeed in hunting, and to survive to pass on their large-toothed, strong-jawed genes to the next generation.

"They developed strength in their muscles - especially the muscles that close their mouth," said Dr Munoz-Doran.

"And bones that are more resistant to bending, so they could support the mechanical strains of biting the prey.

"Over time, they became adapted to be 'hypercarnivorous'."

The researcher pointed out that domestic dogs had "very good evolutionary reasons to enjoy chewing a bone".

"They have the tools to do that," he told BBC Nature, "and they want to use their tools."

Victoria Gill of BBC Nature has the story: Link