As we share more DNA with chimps, why are dogs better companions?

You'd be a chump to get chummy with a chimp over man's best friend.


Asked by: JS Douglat, Hong Kong

Companionship has little to do with shared DNA; otherwise there would be no wars between humans. Dogs make good companions because of several thousand years of selective breeding for the traits that appeal to us. Wolves and African hunting dogs make very poor companions. Pets also seem to appeal to our desire to nurture and this may require a species to which we feel clearly superior. Perhaps chimps are just too similar to us, for us to be comfortable with a master-servant relationship.

Subscribe to BBC Focus magazine for fascinating new Q&As every month and follow @sciencefocusQA on Twitter for your daily dose of fun science facts.