Saw part of a documentary several years ago about dogs. Guy asserted that dogs domesticated man...it was an interesting take...talked about how dogs functioned as baby sitters back at the old cave, freeing up the human parent, dogs as hunting partners & result of making hunting easier & more productive. If anyone remembers this program and 'especially' if they know who the man was featured in the show, I'd love to know. If he wrote a book, I want it! Been bugging me for years & I've googled & googled trying to track it down.
And yet, after 100,000 years, we still have to take them out so they can go to the bathroom.Study acclaims dog's role in development of mankindAn Australian study claims mankind couldn't have conquered the globe without the dog. Researchers say the domestication of the wolf led to the hunting of bigger game and even the development of art. They claim the dog was one of a few key forces which led to modern humans and therefore changed the world forever. Dr Paul Tacon, of the Australian Museum in Sydney, and bio-archaeology consultant Dr Colin Pardoe, say fossil and DNA evidence both point to dog domestication over 100,000 years ago.
Tuesday 26th March 2002
They forgot "chow hounds" -- probably the first use of dog species. As Dustin Hoffman's character sez in "Little Big Man", the flavor can be downright delicate.Genealogical map reveals 10 top dogsAll of the hundreds of breeds of modern domestic dog, from the Afghan hound to the chihuahua, can be traced back to just 10 "progenitor" breeds, say US scientists... Humans first domesticated wolves about 15,000 years ago, most probably to help them hunt. Domestication involves selectively breeding a species so that they can be controlled more easily. The latest genetic information suggests that the domestication of wolves first occurred in Asia... The researchers believe that by 10,000 to 12,000 years later, 10 "progenitor breeds" of dog had been created to fulfill different roles alongside their masters... The 10 progenitors identified by the researchers are: sight hounds, scent hounds, working and guard dogs, northern breeds, flushing spaniels, water spaniels and retrievers, pointers, terriers, herding dogs and toy and companion dogs... Gordon Lark, who is studying canine genetics at the University of Utah... says developing a genetic map, rather than a genealogical one will be more useful for understanding canine evolution, behaviour and health. Scientists are expected to finish sequencing the dog genome within a year.
by Will Knight
12:23 16 February 04
CoyotesRelated Species
The Coyote is one of 8 species of the genus Canis. Four of these are jackals of Europe, Africa & Asia. Other members of the genus include the Gray Wolf (C. lupus), the Red Wolf (C. rufus) and all the breeds of the domestic dog (C. familiaris).
Coyotes are not your average dog -- they are not to be messed with. They are smart, and they learn quickly. They can be dangerous, and when it comes to urban coyotes, steps should be taken to avoid encouraging them to visit your neighborhood. That means close garbage can lids tightly, do not leave pet food outside and do not leave small pets outside unaccompanied.
Coyotes love nothing better than cats and frequently take small dogs. Inform neighbors of your sighting and encourage them to take steps to NOT attract the clever little varmints. Remember: Make sure that no pet food is ever left outdoors.