
Dogs
A New Understanding of Canine Origin, Behavior and Evolution
Ray Coppinger(Author)
University of Chicago Press
2nd Edition
Published on 1. October 2002
Book
Paperback/Softback
352 pages
978-0-226-11563-4 (ISBN)
Description
Biologists, breeders and trainers, and champion sled dog racers, Raymond and Lorna Coppinger have more than four decades of experience with literally thousands of dogs. Offering a scientifically informed perspective on canines and their relations with humans, the Coppingers take a close look at eight different types of dogs - household, village, livestock guarding, herding, sled-pulling, pointing, retrieving, and hound. They argue that dogs did not evolve directly from wolves, nor were they trained by early humans; instead, dogs domesticated themselves to exploit a new ecological niche: Mesolithic village dumps. Tracing the evolution of today's breeds from these village dogs, the Coppingers show how characteristic shapes and behaviors - from pointing and baying to the sleek shapes of running dogs - arise from both genetic heritage and the environments in which pups are raised. For both dogs and humans to get the most out of each other, we need to understand and adapt to the biological needs and dispositions of our canine companions, just as they have to ours.
Reviews / Votes
"Anyone with a dog should not be without this book." - Michael W. Fox, author of Understanding Your Dog and Beyond Evolution "Chock full of both scientific studies and personal experiences, this fast-paced, absorbing book deserves a wide audience." - Publishers Weekly "Dogs will be interesting to anyone who has ever wondered about the origin of their favorite mutt's species." - The EconomistMore details
Edition
2nd ed.
Language
English
Place of publication
Chicago
United States
Publishing group
The University of Chicago Press
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Unsewn / adhesive bound
Illustrations
34 illustrations, 9 tables
Dimensions
Height: 233 mm
Width: 156 mm
Thickness: 25 mm
Weight
494 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-226-11563-4 (9780226115634)
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
Raymond Coppinger is professor of biology at Hampshire College. He is the author of Fishing Dogs and coauthor of Wheelchair Assistance Dogs. Lorna Coppinger is the award-winning author of The World of Sled Dogs. Together they founded Hampshire's Livestock Dog Project.