Around a quarter of Labradors and around two thirds of Flat Coated Retrievers have a mutation in the so-called PMOC gene. The study by Raffan's group from the University of Cambridge now shows how the mutation changes the animals' behavior in relation to food.
Affected dogs tend to overeat because they get hungry more quickly between meals than dogs without this mutation. The mutation triggers a hunger signal that causes the body to increase food intake and conserve energy - even though this is not actually necessary.