Brain Talk: Canine Edition Part. 1

What's actually going on inside your dog's head? In this episode, we break down the basic structure of the canine brain, how it compares to the human brain, and why your dog experiences the world so differently than you do. From instinct and emotion to scent processing and decision-making, we explain the science behind canine behavior. Find out why your dog isn't thinking the way you think they are. Sources:Andics, Attila, et al. “Voice-Sensitive Regions in Dog and Human Brains.” Current Biology (2014). Reported in ScienceDaily. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/07/200720112216.htmAndics, Attila, et al. “Dogs and Humans Use the Same Brain Areas for Emotion Processing.” LiveScience, 2014.Barton, S. A., et al. “Brain–Behavior Differences in Premodern and Modern Lineages of Domestic Dogs.” Journal of Neuroscience, 2025. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40404355/Boch, M., C. Lamm, and L. Huber. “Functionally Analogous Body-Responsive Areas in Dogs and Humans.” Communications Biology, 2023.Cleveland Clinic. “Brainstem.” Accessed February 21, 2026. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/21598-brainstem———. “Cerebellum.” Accessed February 21, 2026. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/23418-cerebellum———. “Cerebrum.” Accessed February 21, 2026. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/23083-cerebrum———. “Limbic System.” Accessed February 21, 2026. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/limbic-systemHecht, Erin E., et al. “Significant Neuroanatomical Variation among Domestic Dog Breeds.” Journal of Neuroscience 39, no. 39 (2019): 7748–7758. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31477568/Hecht, Erin E., et al. “Functional MRI in Awake Dogs Shows Limbic System Variation across Breeds.” Science Advances 4, no. 5 (2018): eaap9898. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29662132/Piras, Federica, et al. “Brain Structure Differences across Dog Breeds Measured by MRI.” Brain Structure and Function 219 (2014): 201–212. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23996299/Ravignani, Andrea, et al. “Study Finds the Brains of Modern Dog Breeds Are Larger than Those of Ancient Breeds.” Phys.org, May 2023. https://phys.org/news/2023-05-brains-modern-dog-larger-ancient.htmlSaetre, Pål, et al. “From Wild Wolf to Domestic Dog: Gene Expression Changes in the Brain.” Molecular Brain Research 126, no. 2 (2004): 198–206. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0169328X04001986Schoenfeld, et al. “Comparison of Regional Gene Expression in Dog and Human Brains.” PubMed, 1999.“Dogs and Humans Process Social Cues Similarly — University of Vienna MRI Study.” ScienceDaily, 2023.Berns, Gregory S., et al. “Functional MRI in Awake Dogs Reveals Neural Correlates of Social Reward.” Emory University Dog Project, Emory University.Czeibert, Katalin, and the Senior Family Dog Project. “Comparative 3D Endocast Study of Small vs. Large Dog Breeds.” ELTE Biology Article.Haug, H. “Brain Size and Body Weight in Dogs: Allometric Relationships.” Journal of Comparative Neurology 264, no. 2 (1987): 180–185.Hecht, Erin E., et al. “Significant Neuroanatomical Variation among Domestic Dog Breeds.” Journal of Neuroscience 39, no. 39 (2019): 7748–7758.McGreevy, Paul, et al. “Dog Breed Differences in Brain Size and Behavioral Correlates.” 2004. Reported in LiveScience.“Domestic Dogs as a Comparative Model for Social Neuroscience.” Summary of dog/human fMRI and neuroanatomy research.“Occipito-Temporal Similarity in Social Perception Areas across Dogs and Humans.”“Comparison of Regional Gene Expression Differences in Dog and Human Brains (Cortex vs. Cerebellum).”“Cerebellum Comparative Anatomy across Mammals.”“Dog Olfactory System and Sensory Emphasis Differences.”