What Is a Dog?
Of the world's dogs, less than two hundred million are pets, living with humans who provide food, shelter, squeaky toys, and fashionable sweaters. But roaming the planet are five times as many dogs who are their own masters – neighborhood dogs, dump dogs, mountain dogs. They are dogs, not companions, and these dogs, like pigeons or squirrels, are highly adapted scavengers who have evolved to fit particular niches in the vicinity of humans. In "What Is a Dog?" experts on dog behavior Raymond and Lorna Coppinger present an eye-opening analysis of the evolution and adaptations of these unleashed dogs and what they can reveal about the species as a whole. Exploring the natural history of these animals, the Coppingers explain how the village dogs of Vietnam, India, Africa, and Mexico are strikingly similar. These feral dogs, argue the Coppingers, are in fact the truly archetypal dogs, nearly uniform in size and shape and incredibly self-sufficient. Drawing on nearly five decades of research, they show how dogs actually domesticated themselves in order to become such efficient scavengers of human refuse. The Coppingers also examine the behavioral characteristics that enable dogs to live successfully and to reproduce, unconstrained by humans, in environments that we ordinarily do not think of as dog friendly. Providing a fascinating exploration of what it actually means – genetically and behaviorally – to be a dog, "What Is a Dog?" will undoubtedly change the way any beagle or bulldog owner will reflect on their four-legged friend.
About the Author
Raymond Coppinger is professor emeritus of biology at Hampshire College. Lorna Coppinger is a biologist and science writer. Their books together include "Dogs: A New Understanding of Canine Origin, Behavior, and Evolution", also published by the University of Chicago Press.
Reviews
"From their decades of research, the Coppingers have given us yet another epic book about dogs. 'The Coppingers' take a unique and intensive look at the biology and population genetics of Canis familiaris, the niche that dogs occupy, and the problems that they face cohabitating with man. A must read for anyone really interested in knowing this animal that many call 'man's best friend!'" – Ken McCort, owner and operator of Four Paws training center
"If you thought you knew what a dog was, better check this book out. 'The Coppingers' explore the domestic dog in relation to its wild relatives in a way only these authors can. You'll visit such places as Istanbul, Mexico City, South Africa, and Baffin Island and also learn about such non-dogs as pigeons, vultures, codfish, and hummingbirds. Didn't know about the dog's ecological niche? Its behavioral ecology? Its symbiotic relationships? 'The Coppingers' will fill you in and forever make you more appreciative of your pet's complexity" – L. David Mech, co-author of "Wolves on the Hunt"
"Dogs are an immensely popular subject, and hundreds of books have been written on every aspect of their biology and relationships with humans. So, it is hard to believe that anything new could be said, but this book proves that there might be much more to their science than we currently know. The Coppingers' new book is deeply innovative, and it challenges, with remarkable clarity and compelling examples, the established 'dogmas' of the origin of dogs and their dependence on humans. It is beautifully written and rich with original perspectives. There is no doubt that this book will force us to rethink our relationship with dogs" – Luigi Boitani, editor of "Wolves: Behavior, Ecology, and Conservation"
