The Dog: A Natural History

Description

As one of the oldest domesticated species, selectively bred over millennia to possess specific behaviors and physical characteristics, the dog enjoys a unique relationship with humans. More than any other animal, dogs are attuned to human behavior and emotions, and accordingly play a range of roles in society, from police and military work to sensory and emotional support. Selective breeding has led to the development of more than three hundred breeds that, despite vast differences, still belong to a single species, Canis familiaris. The Dog is an accessible, richly illustrated, and comprehensive introduction to the fascinating natural history and scientific understanding of this beloved species. Ádám Miklósi, a leading authority on dogs, provides an appealing overview of dogs' evolution and ecology; anatomy and biology; behavior and society; sensing, thinking, and personality; and connections to humans. Illustrated with some 250 color photographs, The Dog begins with an introductory overview followed by an exploration of the dog's prehistoric origins, including current research about where and when canine domestication first began. The book proceeds to examine dogs' biology and behavior, paying particular attention to the physiological and psychological aspects of the ways dogs see, hear, and smell, and how they communicate with other dogs and with humans. The book also describes how dogs learn about their physical and social environments and the ways they form attachments to humans. The book ends with a section showcasing a select number of dog breeds to illustrate their amazing physical variety. Beautifully designed and filled with surprising facts and insights, this book will delight anyone who loves dogs and wants to understand them better. Cover......Page 1 Copyright......Page 3 Title......Page 4 Contents......Page 5 Introducing the Dog......Page 7 CHAPTER 1 Evolution & Ecology......Page 14 Where Dogs Come From......Page 15 Why Caninae Survived......Page 17 Distant Relatives of Dogs......Page 19 Emergence of Wolves......Page 21 First Links with Humans......Page 25 Who is the Ancestor of the Dog?......Page 29 Emergence of Modern Dog Breeds......Page 33 Free-ranging Dogs: Stray, Village, Pariah Dogs......Page 35 CHAPTER 2 Anatomy & Biology......Page 40 The Dog as a Mammal & a Carnivore......Page 41 The Canine Skeleton & Locomotion......Page 43 The Canine Coat & Skin......Page 47 Eating Like a Dog......Page 51 Canine Physiology......Page 53 How Dogs See......Page 55 How Dogs Hear......Page 57 How Dogs Smell & Taste......Page 59 The Genome......Page 63 Inheritance of Traits......Page 65 CHAPTER 3 Behavior & Society......Page 70 Social Behavior in Canines......Page 71 Hierarchy & Cooperation......Page 75 Affiliation & Aggression......Page 77 Territorial Behavior......Page 81 Courtship & Mating......Page 83 Development......Page 85 Puppies & Early Life......Page 87 Socialization......Page 91 Play Behavior in Dogs......Page 93 The Old Dog......Page 97 Communication Between Dogs & Humans......Page 99 Visual Signals......Page 103 Acoustic Communication......Page 107 Olfactory Signals......Page 111 CHAPTER 4 Sensing, Thinking & Personality......Page 114 How Dogs Think......Page 115 Understanding & Learning about the Physical World......Page 119 Understanding & Learning about the Social World......Page 123 Canine Personality......Page 129 CHAPTER 5 Dogs & People......Page 134 Dogs in Culture......Page 135 Attachment to Humans......Page 139 Dogs as Guards, Hunters & Shepherds......Page 143 Dogs as Assistants......Page 145 Companion Dogs in our Cities & Apartments......Page 149 Contemporary Dog Training......Page 151 Dogs’ Beneficial Effects on Human Health......Page 155 Dogs in the Shelter......Page 157 Malformation in Look and Shape......Page 159 Malformation in Behavior......Page 161 Myths & Misconceptions......Page 165 The Scientific Study of Dogs......Page 167 The Future for Dogs......Page 169 CHAPTER 6 A Directory of Dog Breeds......Page 174 How Contemporary Breeds Exist......Page 175 Modern Dog Breeding......Page 177 Mixed-breed Dogs (Mongrels) & Crossbreeds......Page 179 The Directory......Page 183 Appendices......Page 216 Bibliography......Page 217 Author Biographies......Page 220 Index......Page 221 Acknowledgments......Page 225 Back Cover......Page 226