Dogs: A New Understanding of Canine Origin, Behavior and Evolution
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Binding: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 636.7
EAN: 9780226115634
Edition: 1
ISBN: 0226115631
Label: University Of Chicago Press
Manufacturer: University Of Chicago Press
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 352
Publication Date: October 01, 2002
Publisher: University Of Chicago Press
Studio: University Of Chicago Press
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Editorial Review:Product Description:Biologists, breeders and trainers, and champion sled dog racers, Raymond and Lorna Coppinger have more than four decades of experience with literally thousands of dogs. Offering a scientifically informed perspective on canines and their relations with humans, the Coppingers take a close look at eight different types of dogs—household, village, livestock guarding, herding, sled-pulling, pointing, retrieving, and hound. They argue that dogs did not evolve directly from wolves, nor were they trained by early humans; instead they domesticated themselves to exploit a new ecological niche: Mesolithic village dumps. Tracing the evolution of today's breeds from these village dogs, the Coppingers show how characteristic shapes and behaviors—from pointing and baying to the sleek shapes of running dogs—arise from both genetic heritage and the environments in which pups are raised.
For both dogs and humans to get the most out of each other, we need to understand and adapt to the biological needs and dispositions of our canine companions, just as they have to ours.
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This is one of the best modern (about 2001) reviews of the nature and potential of working dogs, and their evolution. Their philosophical treatment of the relationships between humans and their companion canines are the best that we know of to this time. Our only "flinch" was in the short section about neonatal canines, where our family canines seemed not to have read their guidelines. Most of the text deals carefully with specific breeds and avoids the fallacy of "THE DOG," who as Adam Miklo'si pointed out doesn't exist - there are "many dogs," who differ in significant ways.
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To properly theorize on the evolution of dogs, one should have a basic understanding of dogs(which the Coppingers do have about SOME dogs, at least), be very knowledgable about wolves, both wild and captive, and NOT have modern predjudices towards them(and the Coppingers seem to be EXTREMELY predjudiced towards wolves), and, MOST IMPORTANTLY, know SOMETHING about primitive people, and do a bit of BASIC Anthropological and Archaeological RESEARCH, which the Coppingers could NOT have done at all to come up with their silly completely illogical notion that DOGS DOMESTICATED THEMSELVES in Mesolithic dumps(which in no way, shape, or form or volume compare to modern city landfills where Mr. Coppinger had his "Epiphany")! A basic understanding of the word DOMESTICATION is also unknown by the Coppingers, apparently. The Coppingers should really study some other domesticated animals, to get a better perspective on the domestication of dogs. And sorry, you really just can't sweep Archaeological and DNA evidence that dogs were domesticated LONG before settled agricultural villages began to appear in the Mesolithic age(a gap of a few thousand years!) under the rug without needing a REALLY big rug to heap it under! The Coppingers need to stick with dogs they know(which obviously aren't hunting dogs!) and leave the real science to real scientists!....L.B.
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This is not a training book, but readers will gain much insight into the dogs they are training from it. It is an excellent and very readable book on the origin and behaviors of the domestic dog and its wild Canid relatives. There is an excellent analysis of how some of the service dog programs could be vastly improved by using current knowledge of critical learning periods in the young dog. Also of great interest is a discussion of the damage done by breeding for physical characteristics only by AKC type breed "fanciers". The populations always become inbred and physically distorted, and working ability is lost (examples--bulldog, German Shepherd, Irish Setter). The authors are to be commended for their contribution to knowledge about our canine partners.
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A great book for those asking questions about how dogs evolved, what man has done right and wrong in shaping dogs, and why dogs are they way they are.
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This is an excellent book, interesting, easy to read, and convincing. My interest in reading the book was in the "origin" of dogs and of dog breeds, and I am convinced by the explanations in this book. Lots of dog stories, lots of biology and ethology. Altogether superb.
Copyright ©2003, Mark Carey.
