Dog

This domestication took place at different localities simultaneously, probably in Western Europe, Central Asia, and East Asia. New genetic research points out that an initial wolf population split into East and West Eurasian groups, both of which, before going extinct, were domesticated independently into two distinct dog populations, between 14,000 and 6,400 years ago. The Western Eurasian dog population was partially replaced by East Asian dogs, introduced by humans at least 6,400 years ago. (A list of sources may be seen at en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Origin_of_the_domestic_dog).

Two types of dogs, which descended from the ancestral dog, are so different from other dogs that they have been given subspecific status: the Australian Dingo (C. l. dingo) and the African Basenji (C. l. basenji). They differ from other dogs in that they cannot bark, and they come into oestrus only once a year, as opposed to twice or more annually in other dogs. They also both lack a distinctive body odour.

Genetic evidence indicates that the Dingo originated from East Asian domestic dogs. It was introduced to Australia about 4,000 years ago by seafaring tribes, and today feral populations live in most of the continent, barred from access to the south-eastern part of the country by a so-called ‘dingo fence’. Today, it is the largest terrestrial predator in Australia, as the indigenous thylacine, or Tasmanian wolf (Thylacinus cynocephalus), was extirpated by farmers in the 1900s. Dingos are often a threat to livestock, but at the same time they benefit farmers, as they mainly prey on rabbits, kangaroos, and rats – three major pests in Australian farming.

The Basenji is said to have originated in the Congo Basin in West Africa. Dogs, resembling modern Basenjis are depicted in Egyptian tombs, sitting with pricked ears and tightly curled tails, just as they do today. Dogs of this type were originally kept in Egypt for hunting small game (Dollman 1937).

Through their long relationship with humans, dogs have become uniquely attuned to human behaviour, and they are able to thrive on a starch-rich diet that would be inadequate for wild members of the dog family. At least 200 dog breeds are known, varying immensely in size, shape, and colours, from the 300-pound English mastiff to the Chihuahua, which weighs only 1-2 kilograms. Dogs are utilized in countless activities, ranging from companionship and protection to hunting, herding, racing, pulling sledges, rescuing, assisting police and customs, and aiding handicapped people, to mention but a few. No wonder, the dog has been given the sobriquet ‘man’s best friend’.

Other pictures, depicting domestic dogs as well as other members of the dog family, are shown on the page Animals – Mammals: Dog family.

This lengendaric sense of smell inspired English author Hugh Lofting (1886-1947), when he wrote his delightful children’s book The Story of Doctor Dolittle, Being the History of His Peculiar Life at Home and Astonishing Adventures in Foreign Parts (1920). One chapter deals with the dog Jip trying to find a little boy’s uncle who has been abducted by pirates who stole his ship and set him ashore on a rocky islet. Jip smells the wind from the north, mumbling to himself:

“Tar; Spanish onions; kerosene oil; wet raincoats; crushed laurel-leaves; rubber burning; lace-curtains being washed. No, my mistake, lace-curtains hanging out to dry; and foxes – hundreds of ’em – cubs; and –”

“Can you really smell all those different things in this one wind?” asked the Doctor.

“Why, of course!” said Jip. “And those are only a few of the easy smells – the strong ones. Any mongrel could smell those with a cold in the head. Wait now, and I’ll tell you some of the harder scents that are coming on this wind – a few of the dainty ones.”

Then the dog shut his eyes tight, poked his nose straight up in the air and sniffed hard with his mouth half-open.

(…)

“Bricks,” he whispered, very low, “old yellow bricks, crumbling with age in a garden-wall; the sweet breath of young cows standing in a mountain-stream; the lead roof of a dove-cote – or perhaps a granary – with the mid-day sun on it; black kid gloves lying in a bureau-drawer of walnut-wood; a dusty road with a horses’ drinking-trough beneath the sycamores; little mushrooms bursting through the rotting leaves; and – and –”

During a research trip to the Chukotka Peninsula, north-eastern Siberia, my companions and I visited the staff of a light house, situated at the tip of Kosa Ruskaya Koshka (‘Russian Cat’s Sandspit’). One of the dogs belonging to the staff was an English springer spaniel. Our trip to this area is related in detail on the page Travel episodes – Siberia 2011: Caterpillar trip in Chukotka.

In the pictures below, a Labrador Retriever is accompanying his master on a pilgrimage hike during a Taiwanese Daoist festival, dedicated to the Mother Goddess Mazu. During this festival, pilgrims often walk for days, spending the night in temples on the way. Both man and dog are well equipped for the journey.

Other Daoist festivals, as well as the origin of Daoism, are described on the page Religion: Daoism in Taiwan.

Several types of Poodles have evolved, including various colour forms, and dwarf forms which were previously much used as circus performers. Poodles are common at dog shows, where face and rear parts are clipped close, with tufts of hair on the hocks and tail tip.

A number of pictures, showing the gorgeous flower display of this tree, may be seen on the page Plants: When the mu oil tree is flowering.

When I knelt down and tried to call the dog, it was utterly delighted and came creeping along the ground, with its tail between the legs. Obviously, it enjoyed being scratched on the head, but when my companion joined us, it immediately got scared and ran as far away, as the chain permitted.