Author:
Miklósi, Ádám, author.
ImprintPrinceton : Princeton University Press, 2018.
Imprint2018
Description224 pages : illustrations (chiefly color), maps ; 25 cm
Note:Simultaneously published: London, United Kingdom : Ivy Press.
Note:"This book was conceived, designed and produced by Ivy Press"--Title page verso.
Note:Introducing the dog -- Chapter 1. Evolution & ecology -- Where dogs come from -- Why Caninae survived -- Distant relatives of dogs -- Emergence of wolves -- First links with humans -- Who is the ancestor of the dog? -- Emergence of modern dog breeds -- Free-ranging dogs : stray, village, pariah dogs -- Chapter 2. Anatomy & biology -- The dog as a mammal & a carnivore -- The canine skeleton & locomotion -- The canine coat & skin -- Eating like a dog -- Canine physiology -- How dogs see -- How dogs hear -- How dogs smell & taste -- The genome -- Inheritance of traits -- Chapter 3. Behavior & society -- Social behavior in canines -- Hierarchy & cooperation -- Affiliation & aggression -- Territorial behavior -- Courtship & mating -- Development -- Puppies & early life -- Socialization -- Play behavior in dogs -- The old dog -- Communication between dogs & humans -- Visual signals -- Acoustic communication -- Olfactory signals -- Chapter 4. Sensing, thinking & personality -- How dogs think -- Understanding & learning about the physical world -- Understanding & learning about the social world -- Canine personality -- Chapter 5. Dogs & people -- Dogs in culture -- Attachment to humans -- Dogs as guards, hunters & shepherds -- Dogs as assistants -- Companion dogs in our cities & apartments -- Contemporary dog training -- Dogs' beneficial effects on human health -- Dogs in the shelter -- Malformation in look and shape -- Malformation in behavior -- Myths & misconceptions -- The scientific study of dogs -- The future for dogs -- Chapter 6. A directory of dog breeds -- How contemporary breeds exist -- Modern dog breeding -- Mixed-breed dogs (mongrels) & crossbreeds -- The directory.
Bibliography Note:Includes bibliographical references (pages 216-218) and index.
Note:As one of the oldest domesticated species, selectively bred over millennia to possess specific behaviors and physical characteristics, the dog enjoys a unique relationship with humans. More than any other animal, dogs are attuned to human behavior and emotions, and accordingly play a range of roles in society, from police and military work to sensory and emotional support. Selective breeding has led to the development of more than three hundred breeds that, despite vast differences, still belong to a single species, Canis familiaris. The Dog is an accessible, richly illustrated, and comprehensive introduction to the fascinating natural history and scientific understanding of this beloved species. Adam Miklosi, a leading authority on dogs, provides an appealing overview of dogs' evolution and ecology; anatomy and biology; behavior and society; sensing, thinking, and personality; and connections to humans. Illustrated with some 250 color photographs, The Dog begins with an introductory overview followed by an exploration of the dog's prehistoric origins, including current research about where and when canine domestication first began. The book proceeds to examine dogs' biology and behavior, paying particular attention to the physiological and psychological aspects of the ways dogs see, hear, and smell, and how they communicate with other dogs and with humans. The book also describes how dogs learn about their physical and social environments and the ways they form attachments to humans. The book ends with a section showcasing a select number of dog breeds to illustrate their amazing physical variety. Beautifully designed and filled with surprising facts and insights, this book will delight anyone who loves dogs and wants to understand them better.
