History of The Dog - All About Dogs

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History of the Dog

Although the origins of today's dog are shrouded in the mysteries of time, archaeological
evidence suggests that dogs had been domesticated as far back as 10,000 BC. Early
remains have been found in present-day Denmark and West Germany.

Very likely, the canine is the result of a mixing of genes from the many different types of
canids, which is the family of which the dog is a member. Other members include wolves,
coyotes, jackals, dingos and foxes, all of which can interbreed. There are over 30
different species of canids. They exist everywhere - from the jungles of South America to
the glaciers of Arctic Canada

Not only do dogs share physical similarities between the skeletal structure of other
canids, many behavioral and instinctive traits we see demonstrated by our domesticated
dogs are typical of the pack hierarchy of canids. Canids are noted for their intelligence,
strength and adaptability. .

Stone-aged people tamed dogs to help them track and hunt for food. About eight
thousand years ago, ancient Egyptians raised Saluki hunting dogs. Saluki is an arabic
word meaning noble one. These dogs are probably the oldest known breed.

Although many breeds lay claim to being the oldest, it is probably the hound family that
can come closest to this. Ancient Egyptians domesticated dogs that are closely related to
today's greyhound family (current breeds are the Pharaoh, Saluki, Ibizan, Basenji and
Afghan). While the G reyhound may be the most elegant member of the hound family,
today's family of hounds include such well known breeds as the Bloodhound, Beagles,
Bassetts and Dachshund among many others. Probably the first domesticated use of
dogs, other than hunting, was for herding purposes. Shepherds have used dogs to
assist for millenia.

Eventually, man began to realize dogs could be used to perform other functions in
society. Selective breeding was used to develop dogs suitable to fulfill these specific
tasks - guarding the village, attack dogs during wars and carrying or hauling goods were
just a few examples. In relationship to their size, dogs can haul prodigious weights as
evidenced by such breeds as the American Eskimo dog.

Special dogs are trained today for many tasks to help humans.

As the popularity of dogs as companions developed in the mid 19th century, breeding
became more deliberate with the idea to produce breeds suitable to more specific
purposes. The introduction of breed or kennel clubs encouraged not only the introduction
of the "pet", they were also primarily responsible for the growth in breeds today
considered show dogs. Kennel clubs introduced acceptaed breed specific traits and
introduced the idea of groups of dogs, such as sporting group, toy group and working
group.

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Learn more about canine history

The Domestic Dog: Its
Evolution, Behaviour and
Interactions with People
by James Serpell
Paperback: 280 pages
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
(1995)

An unusually scientific approach to the
natural history of the dog which examines
its evolution, behavior, and interactions
with humans. Dog-lovers with an interest
in understanding how and why dogs
behave as they do will find this
fascinating reading.

The Lost History of the
Canine Race: Our 5,000-Year
Love Affair With Dogs
by Mary Elizabeth Thurston
Paperback: 301 pages
Publisher: Avon (1997)

Thurston, an anthropologist, believes
that dogs are an important facet in the
spiritual and emotional evolution of
humans: They give us a sense of the
other, foster the deep pleasure of
empathy, even serve as four-footed
therapists.

Dogs in Antiquity: Anubis to
Cerbrus the Origins of the
Domestic Dog
by Douglas J. Brewer, Terence, Sir
Clark, Adrian Phillips
Paperback: 120 pages Publisher: Aris &
Phillips (2002)
Examines archaeological evidence for the
origins of the dog and the process of
domestication in prehistory. Dogs
represented gods in Egypt, Mesopotamia
and Greece, and their archaeological
remains have been recovered in cult
centers. Lavishly illustrated, this book
combines the latest scientific material with
a cultural history to tell the developing
story of the inter-relationship between
man and dog from its origin in remote
antiquity to that which we know today.

Dogs: A Historical
Journey : The
Human/Dog
Connection Through
the Centuries
by Lloyd M. Wendt
Hardcover; 258 pages
Publisher: Hungry Minds, Inc.
(1996)

This book follows the history of
dog and man through the Dark
Ages of Europe and the
Renaissance to present times.

Dogs Through History
by Maxwell Riddle
Hardcover: 192 pages
Publisher: Denlinger's
Publishers, 1987.

Accessibly written for the
non-specialist general reader,
Dogs Through History is an
informative and fascinating
look at the role of man's best
friend down through the
centuries.

First Friend: A History
of Dogs and Humans
by Katharine M. Rogers
Hardcover: 280 pages
Publisher: St martins Pr (2005)

An exploration of the historical
relationship between humans
and dogs traces its
earliest-known manifestations
through its evolution,
discussing such topics as
dog-human companionship in
the ancient world, the canine's
roles as a working animal and
beloved pet, and more.

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