Dog stories
The evolution of wolves to present day dogus domesticus (I made this term up….not really Latin) is truly incredible.
The path leading to the adaptation of the wild dog to co-existence within human society has been well documented and I am not about to get into that here. I will say this however I am extremely grateful that the earliest of wolves decided that the spot by the human campfire was better than lying in the cold snow.
I cannot imagine life without dogs. I suspect that I am not alone in this… Dogs are fabulous.
My dogs are Border Collies, rated as amongst the smartest of dog breeds on the planet.
Definitely in the top ten, maybe even top five.
On a recent trip to Paris, I amused myself thinking about how French dogs understand more French than I do...
I’m joking of course (or am I?). I’m fully aware that words are simply sounds that have an associated meaning and it doesn’t matter what language is spoken because creatures with higher cognitive abilities, including canines, will learn language and respond.
A French Border Collie helping out with the unpacking of boxes at a French pet shop (in Paris)
Dogs, such as super-smarty pants like mine, are able to comprehend a large range of words and respond (mostly) obligingly. For example, with only a few words, I can send my dogs down to the dam (“Go and have a swim” - out of respect and given that my dogs are in the top-two-smartest-dog-breed-on-the-planet I like to use full sentences). I identify a dog by their name and ask it to go for a swim and it will almost always willingly oblige.
Amazing!
They are also able to learn the meaning of many hand signals. With a movement of my arm in a certain direction and a wave of my hand, the dogs will turn and run in that direction. Tony Armstrong discussed this in a recent television documentary about dogs ‘A Dog’s World’, ABC. A strong recommend!
Betsy, not looking happy but in the dam.
Dogs will also seek assistance from their humans.
Tony Armstrong points out that this interaction between dogs and humans is UNIQUE amongst animals. Test it yourself.
I’ve done this experiment numerous times and it always works:
Step 1 - dogs and human stop at a fence at the spot where the human will normally lift the wire so that the dogs can scramble underneath.
Step 2 - the human does not lift the fence as is their usual practice.
Step 3 - the human should watch the dogs to observe that they will they will stare at the fence for a few seconds and then look up at the human. This may be repeated several times.
Step 4 - the human will lift the fence and the dogs will scramble under.
The dogs asked the human for help and the human obeyed. I love it but I am not sure who is actually in charge!
I think many people would agree that life without dogus domesticus would be a much lonelier and sadder place.
Terrific company, ever present, and never fail to be incredibly excited when one comes home. They never fat-shame nor grumble about how much chocolate one is eating. And they are happy to share everything - food, cuddles and friendship.
