Dogs and their Original Behaviour

It took nature, along with the help of us humans, many centuries to develop what is now known as pet-dog.

Let's suggest that today's dog is descended from the wolf, although this is being debated now by ethnologists and behaviour specialists, according to British biologist Raymond Coppinger and his wife, Lorna, in their book Dogs.  However, most scientists find the part about the domestication of the wolf hard to swallow. But, as we said, for now, let's say that the wolf is the great granddaddy of today's dog.

(By the way, there are currently wolf "hybrids," which are a cross between a wolf and a domestic dog. However, in 1992, scientists reclassified dogs and wolves as the same species, making the term "hybrid" obsolete, and they are now known as Wolfdogs. Because of random genetics inherited from both the dog and the wolf, the looks and/or behavior can vary.)

At a certain moment in time, the connection between dog/wolf and human became so strong that they joined forces to make sure that there was food on the table, and scraps in doggy dish. Hunting, of course, became the predominate occupation shared between dogs and humans, but people soon learned how to manipulated dogs more and more by cross breeding, in order to develop different types of dogs (breeds) for specific activities. The animals became more specialized, performing tasks other than hunting, such as security, and they were rewarded with food, safety and the company of humans.

In hunting, different dogs where used for specific functions, such as: finding the prey, pointing out the wild, retrieving the prey and chasing the prey out of underground shelters. Humans selected the dogs which showed those special qualities, and they became the forefathers of retrievers, terriers, spaniels, etc; in other words, all dogs related to hunting.

However, not all dogs were suitable for this most honoured profession. Through the years, it became apparent that some dogs were developing other qualities which humans could use. For example, some dogs were better in herding cattle, some worked with sheep, while others showed a natural ability for guarding the house or farm, and they developed into their own breeds, too.

From the 19^th century, the society of most of the world was changing rapidly,  and the importance of working dogs diminished, and, with that, the way dogs were bred also changed.

The result is that today there are (depending who you speak to) more or less 400 breeds of dog, all with a completely different appearance. In some cases, experts are unable to trace the original tasks they were bred to perform.

  Looking back over the history of the dog, it is not that long ago that their primary function was for some type of labour. These days, however, a working dog is more the exception than the rule. Police dogs, sniffer dogs, bomb dogs, guide dogs and a few hunting dogs, especially on Crete, all serve a specific function in regard to performing daily tasks. Of course, the overwhelming majority of dogs, and that includes all breeds from shepherds to spaniels, are still are used for one purpose: the companionship of humans. That is the house/pet dog.

However, the possibility to work at a moments notice, and the energy needed for that work, is still deep in the genes of the house dog. And that is something each and every human must be aware of when they take a dog for a house pet.

We will discuss this facet of the dog's development in next month's column.