The Encyclopedia of the Dog [antikvár]

6 ff INT RODUCTIONIntroductionFOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS the dog's closest relative, the wolf, followed primitive human groups and scavengcd from the remains of iheir kills. However, when our disiani ancestors settled into semi-permancni homesites, something unique in the history oí evolution occurred. One intelligent social carnivore actively chose to live in close proximity to another. So began an extremely fruitful relationship that still exists today. It is so frequently written that it has become a cliché, but it is true - the dog is our best friend. Without its help in protecting campsites, assisting on the hunt, guarding our flocks, and pulling our loads, we would probably not have evolved as we have done. It is also unlikely that we would have survived in many parts of the world.A long relationshipAs the most dominant and powerful species in the world, we naturally assume that our ancestors actively chose to domesticate the wolf and create the obedient canine. It is more likely that, like the domestic cat, the dog is self domesticated, that 1,000 generations ago, its ancestors were adaptable enough to see the advantages of living in the territory thai surrounded semi-permanent human campsites. The wolf invaded this new ecological niche, and with time its fear and distrust of humans diminished. The relationship began well over 15,000 years ago, and by 12,000 years ago the modified wolf - what we now call the dog - had evolved. Smaller thanBcmcsc Hound Pcfit/uíüiis-ctiri-í/, 11!);-liosa/ st rní 'iuuM(/s Jirsl evolved in Aiia, {III H'crc tinrlo/Jiil fa a sophislicaicd decree in medieval Europe. The ancestois oj fliis Bcniesc Hound probably iirrivi'/ in l/ic Btil/fflii.s, Huly, or in Mcdilciraiwau Pnmcc over 2,000 years dgo. Tliroiijili trade, (ravel, or tnigrtiiioti, they accompanicd people itiiu the Berticsc moioTfiiiti.'i of Swilzerlanii.the wolf, the primitive dog also had a head that was more domed or puppylike than that of the v^olf, and teeth that were smaller and more crowded. It was more playful, more obedient, and even had a shorter intestinal tract than the wolf.Miniature Schnauzer 5clcctivc breeding lids both cnhanccd and diminished the size of (he dog. Miniaturistion began early, ai least 5,000years ago, in Cliina. This whiie. rather ihan typically 'sali-and-pcppa " MinitKure Schnauzer is the resull ()/Llie more recent ban torn i Zillion uj (lie 5tantlartl Sclinauzer, wliicli /la.s in (urn l>ceii enlarged to crcate (lie Giani Schnauzer.Regional differences The relationship we have with dogs varies dramatically and is deeply influenced by cultural perspectives. The ancient Chinese developed profound respect for the dog's abilities. Islam, on the other hand, labelled the dog "unclean", a sensible public health rule in a region where rabies was endemic,but one that has led to a strong distaste for canine cornpanionship in traditional Islamic countries. However, the antiquity and utility of our relationship with the dog predates all modern religions. Although canine companionship is culturally discouraged in many Arab countries, the most ancient racing and hunting dogs, the breeds with the longest pedigrees - the Salukis and Sloughis - are of Arab origin. A similar ambivalent