Dog Domestication - History and Biological Development of the Dog - Essay Example

Dog Domestication s 23rd May Introduction In our current society, pets, especially dogs have become standard companions for humans. In general, dogs are not only great pets but, they are involved in social community service. For example; dogs work hand in hand with the police in scenarios like drugs and weapon detection and rescue operations. Dogs are also used as guide dogs for people with disabilities. In comparison to other animals, dogs are the most tamed species on earth; they are trained to integrate with the society and makes life easier and pleasant. The human ability to tame dogs is a positive enrichment in every aspect. It allows us to build a unique relationship with different creatures, to improve and benefit from it. History and Biological Development of the Dog 1The dog family that is also referred to as Canidae consists of a biologically cohesive group of carnivores with thirty-eight species including the domesticated dog. Canids communicate between one another by body postures, facial expressions, vocalizations like yelping and howling and tail wagging. Canids can be found in every part of the world except in oceanic islands and Antarctica. The dog, cannis familiaris is the only Canidae member that is thoroughly domesticated. On the other hand, others like the red fox, raccoon dog, and Vulpes vulpes are also domesticated. Even before Darwin, there were wide discussions as to whether, the domestic dog originated from the golden jackal, Canis aureus or the wolf, Canis lupus. In the year 1787, John Harper stated that, since the domestic dog produces fertile hybrids with both the jackal and the wolf, then these three canids should be considered as one single species. Other scientists such as Linnaeus found the dog a separate species due to its upturned tail, a trait that is not present from any other canid. 2According to Darwin, the main point of interest is whether the many domesticated varieties of dogs have their origin from a single wild species or several. Some people believe that all domesticated dog species have originated from the jackal or the wolf, or from an extinct and unknown species. Other authors are of the idea that the domesticated dog originated from several species, extinct and recent that may have commingled together. Darwin’s conclusion is that we may never ascertain the origin with absolute certainty. Today, however, we are closer to finding out the origin of the ordinary dog; this is as a result of studying the combined outcomes of behavioral research, vocalizations, morphology and molecular biology. All of these studies that have been carried out since 1965 by authors such as Scott and Fuller, Lorenz, and Wayne indicate that the principal ancestor of the dog is the wolf. In the 1960s, ethnologist John Paul Scott came up with a catalog of specific species behaviors that consisted of ninety varying dog patterns all of which were evident in wolves. The missing behavioral patterns were minor activities that had not been recorded at the time. The behavior patterns of wolves occurred in specialized hunting contexts that fail to come up with the domestic setting. In contrast, the vocalizations and displays of jackals are different and distinctive from those of wolves and dogs. Further research has also indicated that all dog breeds have a common ancestry. Scott and John L. Fuller’s research on six different dog breeds failed to show any example in all the breeds, of the total absence of any typical canid behavior patterns. Recent studies have revealed that dogs, wolves and dingoes are closely related to one another than with any other member of the Canidae family. Different Races There are several varying accounts of the process by which the wild wolves were transformed into the many different domestic dog breeds. 3One of the most popular and somewhat accurate theories supposes that the wolves began associating with human beings. It is important to note that most of the domestication of dogs occurred during the ice age when most humans were hunters and gatherers. Wolves associated with the persons as opportunistic foragers. Steadily, as a result of human lenience and identification of their potential, the casual association developed into a more cohesive bond. This theory states that wolves were attracted by the garbage dumps found at human settlements. On these dump sites; there were leftover food scraps, bones, skins, vegetables and rats. The dog’s ancestor hanged around such areas because they were food conscious, they preferred to go to dump sites rather than hunting. These wolves became dependant on humans, and this process began to trigger genetic alterations of the wolves. The more aggressive wolves were eliminated from the packs by culling; this process also brought about genetic changes because the more aggressive wolves were not present in the available breeders pool. Wolves have different personality traits just like human beings. Some of the wolves were fearful and ran away at the sight of a human being. On the other hand, some were less afraid and just kept a close look as they kept foraging for food at the dump sites. The less fearful ones became healthier because they ate the best morsels. These more vigorous wolves were more likely to have offsprings and even lived near the settlements. The puppies that were born from the less fearful wolves were more comfortable with humans and were tamer. Over the following generations, the settlement dwelling wolves grew and prospered and foraged during the day. 4The wolves who settled closer to the humans were guaranteed safety for themselves and their young ones from the larger predators. They were also guaranteed warm places to live in throughout the year. These advantages increased the survival rates of the most sociable wolves. The wolves’ attempts to adapt to the environment led to the genetic manipulation of their population over the years. Humans began to take the puppies found closer to their settlements and tamed them with ease. Once the humans domesticated the dogs, they began to handle them and controlled their breeding. Humans were, therefore, able to modify the species; Selective breeding was carried out on the basis of personal and the settlement’s security. For instance, dogs that barked loudly were kept and bred with others that portrayed the same feature. Dogs that failed to bark were disposed of since they were useless. This aspect is evident by the manner in which domestic dogs bark an ability that is evident even in wild dogs. Later developments led to more advanced ways of coming up with new breeds. These are dogs that can hunt, pull sleds, point, and provide companionship and track. Assumption of Dogs in different Cultures In the western cultures like the United States and the United Kingdom, dogs are loved excellent pets that are kept at home. Some families even consider their pet dog to be a member of the family. Dogs are loved because they provide warmth, loyal companionship, and protection. Just about every culture around the planet has their dog breed. Some of the breeds found in different cultures are; the Egyptian Pharaoh hound, Germany’s affenpinscher, Tibetan Spaniel and the Chinese Shar Pei. Westerners go to great lengths to please their dogs, but not all cultures embrace the dog as man’s best friend. 5In many countries, keeping a pet is considered a luxury because it does not come cheap. For instance, owning a pet dog in China has turned into a fashionable trend among the upper and the middle-class citizens. On the other hand, the Chinese have a long history of consuming dog meat. Among the Muslim culture, the practice of keeping dogs as pets is unacceptable; they believe that dogs are unclean creatures and anything that they come into contact with must be washed seven times. Dogs are honored in the Chinese zodiac while the second day of every year in China is said to be the birthday of all dogs. This day sees the dogs receive extra kindness and food. The Hindu communities which are based in Nepal also pay tribute to the dogs. Dogs are engraved with their legends and beliefs, such as the idea that dogs guard the gates of heaven. In western countries, the dog is readily embraced and is considered a family member. Most people who own dogs and live in western countries even take dogs for shopping. But, whatever the culture, dogs should be treated with decency and kindness. Dogs in the Modern Society Other than providing companionship and security, dogs are playing significant roles within the modern society. Research has continued to show that pets, especially dogs, improved the lives of their owners. 6Dogs have acted as a helping hand for the disabled people and have a calming effect on their owners. Throughout history, dogs have been identified to make the lives of their owners better. It has been identified that individuals who have dogs as pets have a lesser risk of developing heart ailments than their counterparts who do not own dogs. Research that was carried out at the Baker Medical Research Institute in Australia found pet owners to have lesser blood pressure and lesser cholesterol levels than those without pets. This is regardless of their diet, smoking habits, income level, and body mass. Further research has identified that individual dogs have the ability to sniff out diseases like certain cancers and health complications arising from diabetes. Research from the Queens University had found that sixty-five percent of dog owners said that their pet dog had a behavioral reaction when they experienced drops in blood sugar. Just as other assistance dogs, the dogs that display strong reactions to low blood sugar episodes are being trained as hypo alert dogs. These dogs are helping their owners to stay safe and healthy by signaling them to seek medical attention. Researchers at the Tenon Hospital in Paris have trained Belgian Malinois shepherd dogs to detect prostate cancer. These dogs can detect the smell of urine from individuals with prostate cancer; they have identified sixty-three out of sixty-six samples. The Revolution of Domesticated Animals 7The domestication of animals occurred in a process that transformed the human culture referred to as Neolithic or New Stone Age revolution. A variety of wild animals were tamed in different ways and techniques, reflecting their nature and how they interacted with people. For example, dogs were wolves that scavenged at the dump sites around human settlements. Stone Age people around 12000 B.C found that wolf puppies could be tamed and later trained to track and hunt other animals. The strain of dogs that developed from the tamed wolves proved adequate in herding animals like sheep. 8Defenseless and docile herds of sheep could be easily controlled once their leaders were captured and tamed. Sheep, pigs and goats that were also scavengers at the human dump sites, were initially domesticated in the Middle East between the years 8500 and 7000 B.C. Wild cattle were better at defending themselves; the people had to come up with better techniques to tame them. This is the main reason they were domesticated at a later date around 6500 B.C. Bulls and cattle were essential animals and were etched in the beliefs of some sacrificial and fertility cults. Archeologists, therefore, believe that the people domesticated these animals for religious sentiments, their primary desire may not have been driven by food and clothing. Domesticated animals such as sheep and cattle provided protein to the humans that lived in the New Stone Age period; this protein was found in milk and meat. Animal hides and wool led to the development of materials that produced clothes, shelter and containers. Animal horns and bones were carved and used as utensils and needles. Most of these animals were not used for farming purposes because plows and wheels were invented later in the Bronze Age (4000-3500 BC). On the other hand, communities that resided in the northern areas used reindeers to pull the sleds. People of the southern regions also used camels for transportation. The Neolithic people used domesticated animals as sources of manure to enrich soil and improve soil production. Dogs as Workers Most working dog breeds are intelligent, robust and headstrong. These dogs are not suitable for novice dog owners. Some of the done by dogs include guarding of property and livestock, as police dogs, rescue dogs, and sled dogs. They come in different shapes and sizes i.e. from the Great Dane to the Schnauzer. Worker dogs in most parts are robust and extensive; some of the dogs include the Komondor of Hungary, the Akita of Japan, Portuguese water dog, and the Bernese mountain dog. These dogs require the right training since they can be dangerous and difficult to handle. Dogs such as the Rottweiler, Akita and Doberman are bright and determined and have become familiar. People buy these dogs due to the rising crime rates and to enhance their social standing. Dog Abuse Animal abuse or animal cruelty can occur as deliberate abuse or the failure to take care of the dog. 9Dogs are some of the most highly abused animals and the abuse occurs in the form of animal neglect and direct violence; Animal neglect; majority of dog abuse cases occur as neglect and they occur in the following ways. Hoarding; many dog owners keep far too many dogs than they can take care of. Lack of veterinary care; untreated wounds are a negative sign. Hair loss, scabs, and emaciation may be signs of mistreatment. Inadequate shelter; some dogs are exposed to extreme conditions because their owners have denied them proper shelter. Continuous chaining; dogs that are chained continuously suffer from social isolation and are exposed to external threats. Abandonment; some dog owners abandon their pet dogs after moving out, they are left behind with nobody to tend to them. Direct violence; some individuals physically abuse their dogs especially when they go against their wishes. Other dog owners organize dog fights between two vicious dogs such as pit bulls; the level of violence, in this case, is intense and may even lead to deaths. Reasons Why People Abuse Dogs Most people who abuse dogs do not do it on purpose; they hurt their dog without realizing what they are doing. Many people fail to identify that their actions are cruel. For instance, some dog owners have no idea of the kind of shelter they require. Some may even keep a dog in their yard devoid of a kennel; this exposes the dog to extreme weather conditions. Some people intimidate and punish their dogs while others just fail to pay attention. Such individuals forget to feed their dogs and leave their dog in a car on a hot day without rolling down the windows. Others do it on purpose i.e. some may decide to abuse their dogs to release frustrations. Some individuals like to show off to their friends while some hurt dog to fit in a particular group. Others like to hurt dogs because it makes them appear powerful; they target animals because they are helpless than people. Others are different and more violent, they enjoy the sight of animal suffering, and these people are extremely dangerous and suffer from psychological problems. In the event that a person witnesses physical abuse of animals, it is important to call the relevant authority such as animal rights organizations or even the police. Individuals who enjoy the sight of an animal in agony should not be approached, call the police officers immediately. Kids are some of the common dog abusers, if such a habit is noted, inform them that such actions are incorrect, and they are breaking the law. Signs of neglected animals should be reported to the local pet rescue organizations who will take the necessary steps to ensuring that the pet finds the right home. If a neighbor moves and abandons his or her pet, it is important to take care of the pet, but in the event that one is not able to, just call the relevant authority. To ensure that dog abuses become non-existent is by sensitizing the public in regards to the various forms of abuse and its consequences. People should also be informed about the benefits of taking care of their pet dogs and how the relationship can go a long way in enhancing one’s life. The government should also take the necessary steps to ensure that those who are found guilty face the full force of the law; this may deter those who plan or those who are carrying out these heinous acts to stop. Animal right groups should also be vigilant and should ensure that all dogs get regular checkups to make sure that they are not being abused. Such efforts would go a long way in ensuring the safety of dogs. Conclusion Dogs are excellent pets, and this is the reason they have been termed “man’s best friend”. They are loyal to their owner, and they do things to ensure that he or she is happy. Dog owners should guarantee that their pets are properly trained since proper training provides a smooth relationship between the dog and the owner. On the other hand, owners should carefully observe their pet’s signs and behaviors since this is how dogs communicate with humans. By closely monitoring a dog’s behavior, owners are able to note whether the dog needs to be tended to i.e. the dog may howl when in pain, a keen owner will identify this and ensure immediate care is given to the dog. There are many things that we can learn from a dog’s behavior, and this may make it easier to train them. It is important for dog owners to uphold a healthy relationship with their pet because the relationship is two-way. A happy dog offers the excellent service to his or her owner and even the entire family as a whole. A well-trained dog makes life easier and pleasant. Humans’ ability of training dogs is a positive enrichment in every aspect, and as a result we can improve and benefit from it. Well, trained dogs would never harm humans, so humans should never abuse dogs, any instance of dog abuse should be reported to the authorities. References Grzimek, B., Schlager, N., & Olendorf, D. (2003). Grzimeks animal life encyclopedia (pp. 271-276). Detroit: Gale. Humanesociety.org,. (2015). Animal Abuse and Neglect : The Humane Society of the United States. Retrieved 23 May 2015, from http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/abuse_neglect/ Melina, R. (2010). Is Having a Pet Good for Your Health?. LiveScience.com. Retrieved 23 May 2015, from http://www.livescience.com/32746-is-having-a-pet-good-for-your-health-.html Roebuckclasses.com,. (2015). Agricultural Revolution - Domestication 2. Retrieved 23 May 2015, from http://www.roebuckclasses.com/101/lectures/prehistory/agorigin/04.htm Serpell, J. (1995). The domestic dog. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Read More