The Dog as Guide, Guard and Healer
A Journey with People Since Ancient Times
Published on 26. September 2025
Book
Paperback/Softback
212 pages
978-1-4766-9515-0 (ISBN)
Description
People and dogs have been companions since ancient times. Dogs possess both a unique psychological essence as well as physical presence within the human/dog bond. As guides, guards and healers, dogs share individual relationships with people couched in the present and framed by universal influences, evident in cultures throughout history.
In this book, philosophers, psychologists, dog ethological researchers and the author assist readers in a journey of discovery, as their explorations seek answers to the questions of how and why the roles of guide, guard and healer resonate within the human/dog bond. Comparative mythology, selected scientific studies and primary source materials offer contexts and insights.
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Jefferson, NC
United States
Illustrations
Halftones, black and white
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 13 mm
Weight
355 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-4766-9515-0 (9781476695150)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Cinde L. Bauer is the president of Landscape Architecture Inc., in Little Rock, Arkansas. She holds a PhD in mythological studies with emphasis in depth psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute in Carpinteria, California.
Content
Table of Contents
Preface
Introduction: Within the Spheres of Mind, Culture and Nature
1.¿Links Between Dog Domestication and Comparative Mythology
Shared Themes and Different Perspectives
People and Prehistoric Dogs: Theories on Interactions
The Evolutionary Path of Dog Domestication
2.¿Contemporary Research: New Methods and Old Discoveries
Ancient Cultures and Mythologies: Roles of Dogs in Life and Death
Dog Burial Practices: Insights from Archaeological Discoveries
Ancient Clues Lead to New Perspectives
3.¿Journey from Antiquity to Victorian Parlors
Connections: Migration Paths through History
Early Civilizations and New Roles
Classical Breeds: Roles and Attributes
Ancient Breeds and Familiar Faces
4.¿Genetics, Breeds and Antiquity
Genetic Clusters and Breed Groups
Mutual Gaze and Facial Features
Breed Groups and Working Styles
Links Between Breeds and Roles
5.¿The Nature of Dog Archetypal Images
Celestial Dogs in the Starry Sky
Mythical Messages Framed Within Nature
Avenging Hounds and Guides at the Crossroads
Guards at the Gates
¿6.¿Ancient Roles: Spiritual and Physical Spaces
Loyalty and Devotion: Links from Past to Present
Sanctuaries and Rituals
Healing Practices and Dog Residents
¿7.¿Psychological Journeys: Bridges Between the Past and Present
Archetypal Imagery and the Theories of Jung
Animals, Nature and Soul Through the Perspectives of Hillman
Synchronicity and the Network of Dog Archetypal Images
¿8.¿Social Skills: Impacts of Awareness and Intentions
Interactive Aspects Within a Unique Niche
Mechanisms of Social Learning
Signals and Senses
Vocal and Visual Patterns
¿9.¿Observations, Communications and Viewpoints: A Two-Way Street
Pathways to Shared Communication
Canine Perspectives and Human Viewpoints
Dogs and Guesser-Knower Tasks
Aspects of Referential Gestures
10.¿Interactions: Aspects of Emotion and Empathy
Perspectives Concerning Emotions and Empathy
Emotional Contagion and Emphatic Responses
Facial Expressions and Emotional Intentions
Companionship Within Individual and Social Environments
11.¿Links Between Motivation, Companionship and Social Capital
Aspects of Companionship
Characteristics of Attachments: Similarities Between People and Dogs
Relationships and Rating Scales
Dogs, People and Social Capital
12.¿The Journey: Framed by Aspects of Past, Present and Future
Bibliography
Index
Preface
Introduction: Within the Spheres of Mind, Culture and Nature
1.¿Links Between Dog Domestication and Comparative Mythology
Shared Themes and Different Perspectives
People and Prehistoric Dogs: Theories on Interactions
The Evolutionary Path of Dog Domestication
2.¿Contemporary Research: New Methods and Old Discoveries
Ancient Cultures and Mythologies: Roles of Dogs in Life and Death
Dog Burial Practices: Insights from Archaeological Discoveries
Ancient Clues Lead to New Perspectives
3.¿Journey from Antiquity to Victorian Parlors
Connections: Migration Paths through History
Early Civilizations and New Roles
Classical Breeds: Roles and Attributes
Ancient Breeds and Familiar Faces
4.¿Genetics, Breeds and Antiquity
Genetic Clusters and Breed Groups
Mutual Gaze and Facial Features
Breed Groups and Working Styles
Links Between Breeds and Roles
5.¿The Nature of Dog Archetypal Images
Celestial Dogs in the Starry Sky
Mythical Messages Framed Within Nature
Avenging Hounds and Guides at the Crossroads
Guards at the Gates
¿6.¿Ancient Roles: Spiritual and Physical Spaces
Loyalty and Devotion: Links from Past to Present
Sanctuaries and Rituals
Healing Practices and Dog Residents
¿7.¿Psychological Journeys: Bridges Between the Past and Present
Archetypal Imagery and the Theories of Jung
Animals, Nature and Soul Through the Perspectives of Hillman
Synchronicity and the Network of Dog Archetypal Images
¿8.¿Social Skills: Impacts of Awareness and Intentions
Interactive Aspects Within a Unique Niche
Mechanisms of Social Learning
Signals and Senses
Vocal and Visual Patterns
¿9.¿Observations, Communications and Viewpoints: A Two-Way Street
Pathways to Shared Communication
Canine Perspectives and Human Viewpoints
Dogs and Guesser-Knower Tasks
Aspects of Referential Gestures
10.¿Interactions: Aspects of Emotion and Empathy
Perspectives Concerning Emotions and Empathy
Emotional Contagion and Emphatic Responses
Facial Expressions and Emotional Intentions
Companionship Within Individual and Social Environments
11.¿Links Between Motivation, Companionship and Social Capital
Aspects of Companionship
Characteristics of Attachments: Similarities Between People and Dogs
Relationships and Rating Scales
Dogs, People and Social Capital
12.¿The Journey: Framed by Aspects of Past, Present and Future
Bibliography
Index