The domestic dog, Canis familiaris, is one of the most diverse mammal species knows. This species can be found nearly everywhere, with separate breeds originating from every continent, except Antarctica. However, as widely distributed as this species is, little is known about its actual origin. Scientists have been able to track some lineages down through fossil records and genetic data. But it is undetermined how exactly old this species is, or even where this domestic dog may have started at. So, how is it that humans are not as familiar with “man’s best friend” as we are with many other species? Surely, there had to have been some record of when humans began to domesticate dogs, or other canids for that matter. It’s nearly impossible to do a whole day without witnessing a dog, whether it is on your commute to work and someone is walking their faithful companion, or it watching your favorite TV show and a commercial advertising the latest trend in dog food comes on. Constantly we are bombarded with images of a man and his dog. This species has arguably had one of the largest impacts on humans. But these loveable housemates of ours were not once what we now know them to be. Dogs have evolved immensely over time along-side humans.
Dogs can be looked at in a many of ways, some people fear them, see them only as dangerous and dirty. The canine reputation as being vicious is not a recent fear. However, nowadays you often hear of a child being attacked by a dog somewhere in media and it’s often blown out of proportion. “Recent levels of media attention given to dog attacks on people…may be out of proportion to the actual risk they pose to the average individual” (Serpell, 1995). It’s true that many people fear dogs, they are viewed...
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...cally similar to its ancestral lineage. It’s possible that we owe our own evolution to dogs. Humans were able to develop tools such as arrows and new hunting developments with the accompaniment of a canid companion by their side to aid in hunts. If a dog was not as easily genetically modified, would it be safe to say that they would still be our companions, our “best friend”. Could it be that dogs are merely tools of our own development, and we treasure the fact that they are so easily morphed? However, without any question, dogs are no longer the wild untamable wolf that they once were. Now, traits derived from the wild and wicked wolf lay dormant in our companion, the one that lies so peacefully at our feet. Although it’s not easily traceable as to when dogs became apparent in human lives, it’s safe to say that most humans are rather glad they, dogs, are here.
Perhaps the reason why pit bulls are feared by society is because we are afraid of what they are associated with. Pit bulls are often thought of as a gangster’s pet, a role in violent and illegal activities. People stereotype this breed because of the unfortunate acts of few. In contrast, society needs to understand that they are being racist towards a breed of dog. Denver’s systematic killing of pit bulls could be compared to the actions of the Nazis during the Holocaust.
...ports Illustrated cover photo of a pit bull (Pit Bull Rescue Central, "Breed Information”). Dog fighting made a comeback during the 1980s and the pit bull became the favorite macho dog for dog fighters. The dogs were trained to kill or be killed. Pit bulls were also the preferred guard dog for gangs, thugs and criminals. Since the supporters and detractors of pit bulls hold such disparate opinions regarding the ferocity of the breeds, it is only hoped that further discussion and education will help resolve the sad fate that awaits these unfortunate animals. Simply placing all the blame on the breeds will not solve the problems of dog fighting, overbreeding, aggressive training, and excessive euthanizations. Lastly, the biased, sensationalistic publicity of horrific dog attacks which has destroyed the reputation of the once beloved All American Dog must cease.
Pit bulls, the most dangerous dog to ever live. People like to train Pit Bulls to fight other dogs until they are either hurt or dead. The owners that train the dogs are usually the ones that make the dog turn out to be vicious and dangerous. “Each year, 1.2 million dogs are euthanized, approximately 40% of whom are Pit Bulls”(Moore). Pit Bulls don’t know better to understand which is right from wrong since they’re being raised up to fight and protect. Pit Bulls aren’t good family dogs due to the power of their strength and that they could attack at any moment.
When the word “domestication” is used when talking about dogs, most people have the misconception that humans brought dogs into their homes on purpose, and that is was something they did consciously. However, after reading about Hare’s research it is easy to understand that this
First Friend: A History of Dogs and Humans, by Katherine Rogers, articulates the history of the relationship between dogs and humans. Wild Justice: The Moral Lives of Animals, by Marc Bekoff and Jessica Pierce, investigates if and how dogs exhibit morality. In both texts, anecdotes and observations are used to portray instances of dogs displaying cooperation, empathy, altruism, and, by extension, morality. Consequently, it stands to reason that dogs have a capacity for sociality, but how can the sociality of dogs be described? A dog’s capacity for sociality is the ability to form long term relationships with members of the same or other species. Dogs, in particular, dogs who hunt as well as dogs who play, are able to form long term relationships with humans and other dogs through trust, love,
I’ve always felt that animals are the purest spirits in the world. They don’t fake or hide their feelings, and they are the most loyal creatures on Earth and somehow we humans think we’re smarter. I chose this topic about the canine because, some of these canines risk their life’s to protect dog’s best friend.
Also, educating parents and grandparents etc, on animal/ children safety could greatly reduce the number of attacks on children. You should never leave a young child unattended with a dog, or any animal for that matter, its just not safe. Children that have been attacked by family dogs that have been around said child its whole life, tend to be the results of the child being left alone with the dog and not properly supervised, not nasty or mean dogs. Any dog could snap and turn on somebody, esp a child who say, doesn’t realize the dog is in pain and jumps on them etc. As long as dogs and childrens interactions are supervised many dangerous situations can be avoided.
Dogs have impacted the lives of 44% of American families and homes. People use dogs for much more than just a family friend. Dogs are used for special needs, assisting police, and hunting and tracking. Dogs should be appreciated and never taught to fight or be neglected. Dog fighting is unethical because man’s best friend shouldn’t have to fight for their lives.
The present lifestyle of the average Canadian revolves around consumerism and the achievement of self-actualization needs. These desires and materialistic ideals however, are relatively new concepts as a result of capitalism, which was spurred by the introduction of the department store during the late 19th century. Stores such as Timothy Eaton, Hudson Bay Company, Simspon’s and other major retailers stimulated the economy by encouraging cash sales, ultimately modernizing Canada and making it what it is today. Donica Belisle’s “Retail Nation: Department Stores and the Making of Modern Canada” encompasses the negative and positive impacts of the department store on Canada during the 20th century. Furthermore she explains how these corporations dominated and adapted to the lifestyles of the average Canadian. Belisle effectively supports her arguments by including in depth research and presenting both sides of the story.
The ways in which we as humans represent our relationships with dogs are explored in Dog Love. Garber assumes on the role of a cultural critic through her book, commenting on the role and social value dog representations have in our society, as represented in various artifacts: novels, films, advertisements, etc. She believes that through dog stories we create the ideal human, assigning valued human characteristics to the canine protagonist. She states, “The dog becomes the repository of those model human properties that we have cynically ceased to find among humans” (Garber 15). In our society, we no longer turn to our fellow men and women for the embodiment of virtue; we instead look to “man’s best friend.”
Throughout the world there are many different countries that contain diverse cultures, religions, and life styles. There is however certain aspects within these countries and cultures that acts as a common ground between one another. One dominant aspect is the existence of dogs within these cultures. Dogs are common throughout the world, either as a domestic pet, a protector on a farm, or an assistant for hunting; amongst others. Regardless of the reason for having a dog most people have either owned one for themselves or has known somebody who has owned one at some point in their life. Despite the relative normality of having a dog in your life in one way or another, the reasons for dogs coming into existence is not common knowledge among most people. Throughout a great portion of mankind’s history dogs have been an essential part of life. The truth is dogs were actually created in part by man. It was evolution from wolves in the form of natural and artificial selection that brought dogs into existence (Harris 3). This is the most modern and widely excepted theory at this time, however this was not always the case considering the theory of evolution in of itself is relatively new in our society. After evolution as a theory was accepted there were several other variations on the theory such as, the evolution being from jackals opposed to wolves, and artificial selection being the only form of evolution to have taken place. According to Jarret A Lobell and Eric A Powell of Archaeology magazine “The idea that dogs were domesticated from jackals was long ago discarded in favor of the notion that dogs descend from the gray wolf (2)”. As for the theory that artificial selection ...
“Mom! Mom! The dogs got Cody. The dogs got Cody” (Vancouver Sun, 2007). Just a few days after Christmas in 2004, these are the cries that awoke Sheri Fontaine. Fontaine raced from her bed into the living room to find her three-year old son, Cody Fontaine, savaged by the dogs that were staying temporarily in her house. Tragically, young Cody did not survive the attack. A young life taken, a mother’s life ruined. Sadly, this story is not as uncommon as one of violence against people, they exhibit highly stubborn characteristics that make them difficult to control, and such bans have proven to be extremely effective.
According to Source 4, the ASPCA claims that '' News outlets constantly tell animal control officers that they will not cover a dog attack unless the situation involves a Pitbull". By the media not reporting all dog related injuries, regardless of the breed, the public thinks that pit bulls aren't only dogs that cause injury. All this is doing is making pit bulls seem like horribly vicious dogs, but in reality, other dogs are the same way, while the media may be trying to help "good dogs'' keep their good reputation. But all they are doing is worsening one breeds reputation and that’s not alright.
The transition to the diet of the original dog as a result of beginning the relationship with humans could be attributed to the changes identified between the modern dog and original dog (wolf). The canids remain recovered in yet cave, in Belgium where Upper Paleolithic artifacts were discovered along with other object are considered to be domesticated dogs. The domestication of dog could have been driven by human need for help with herding, hunting, and early warning while the dog benefited from companionship and reliable source of food
In 2013 a news team from Oklahoma reported on a story where a Pit Bull alerted its sleeping owners to a fire that destroyed their home. In the report, it states “A 10-year-old pit bull terrier is being hailed a hero after she saved a Lincoln County family from their burning home” (KOCO). Within six words the breed “Pit Bull” is brought up in a positive manner. The news article goes on to talk about how the dog not only saved its owners, but the other family dogs as well, and how the family considers the dog to be their hero. Another dog in Pennsylvania named Lou also had the chance to save his family from their burning home. In January of 2015 Chris Julian and Kelly Yarbrough were awoken by their rescue dog Lou when their house was on fire. The family told Q13 Fox News of the event and even stated “The fire was coming through the door and the dog saved our lives and if it wasn 't for him, we 'd all be dead right now”. False myths from the media, as well as negative human influences have led to a horrible misunderstanding of a wonderful breed of dog. The American Pit Bull Terrier is loving, sweet, protective animal that needs to be given another chance in society. How can a society truly be free of discrimination of any kind if it is still discriminating dogs that are forced to fight? If the government were to put in more effort to bring the end of dog fighting this stereotype very well could be