Product Description

By any standards, dogs are extraordinary animals. They have been part of human society for longer than any other domestic species. They exist in a greater variety of different shapes and sizes, and they occupy a wider ecological niche, from pampered pets and faithful servants to feral scavengers. Even our attitudes to dogs seem to oscillate between extremes. On the one hand, the dog is man’s best friend, on the other, he is the despised and degraded outcast. This unique book seeks to expose the real dog beneath the popular stereotypes. Its purpose is to provide a comprehensive, state-of-the-art account of the domestic dog’s natural history and behaviour based on scientific and scholarly evidence rather than hearsay. Anyone with a serious interest in Canis familiaris, its evolution, behaviour, and its place in our society will find The Domestic Dog an indispensable and fascinating resource.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #111687 in Books
• Published on: 1995-09-21
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 284 pages

Review
‘… is not just for dog lovers but also for the curious. With enough detailed studies to interest specialists, this book is readable and stimulating. It ranges from the psychology of pets and their owners to the fascinating history of dogs’ domestication and diversification as a species.’ New Scientist

‘… a richly varied, interesting and attractively presented book. This will be an extremely useful reference text for any veterinian, behaviour consultant or research scientist/student interested in companion animal behaviour. Highly recommended.’ A. L. Podberscek, The Veterinary Record

‘I have read the book with great pleasure. For experts it offers a summary of the current state of research, for non-experts it offers comprehensible, attractive and very useful information. A pleasure to read, a very attractive book, with brilliant illustrations. Highly recommended!’ Marie-Jose Enders-Slegers, ISAZ The Newsletter

‘Reading this book increased my knowledge and stimulated my mind.’ Emma Magnus, Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors Newsletter

‘… both welcome and long overdue … an admirable and wide-ranging compilation.’ Stephen Harris, The Times Higher Education Supplement

‘… the best reference work currently available on the topic.’ Dennis C. Turner, Animal Welfare

About the Author
James Serpell is the Marie A. Moore Professor of Humane Ethics and Animal Welfare at the School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, where he also directs the Center for the Interaction of Animals & Society. He received his bachelor’s degree in Zoology from University College London (UK) in 1974, and his PhD in Animal Behavior from the University of Liverpool (UK) in 1980. He moved to his current position at the University of Pennsylvania in 1993. Dr. Serpell is the current President of the International Society for Anthrozoology (ISAZ). He serves on the editorial boards of most of the major journals on animal welfare, applied animal behavior, and human-animal interactions. His research focuses on the behavior and welfare of companion animals, the development of human attitudes to animals, and the history of human-animal relationships. In addition to publishing more than 70 journal articles and book chapters on these and related topics, he is the author, editor, or co-editor of several books including Animals & Human Society: Changing Perspectives (1994), The Domestic Dog: Its Evolution, Behavior & Interactions with People (1995), In the Company of Animals (1996), and Companion Animals & Us (2000).

Customer Reviews

Must have book for the academic canine addict!!
As a graduate of animal management and now a student of animal behaviour, this is a book that I could certainly recommend.

"The Domestic Dog, its evolution, behaviour and interactions with people" edited by the great James Serpell is certainly one reference book you should not be without.

After the Introduction, the book is divided into 3 parts: Domestication and Evolution, Behaviour and Behaviour Problems and Human-dog interaction.

Each of these parts has chapters which are each written by different experts and researchers who are renowned in their fields, such as: Juliet Clutton-Brock, Raymond Coppinger, James Serpell and Roger Mugford to name a few. In all there are 17 different chapters, each focusing on a very specific area.

Naturally the book begins with the Origins of the dog: domestication and early history, followed by the Evolution of working dogs.

The chapters in the second part are: Genetic aspects of dog behaviour with particular reference to working ability, Analysing breed and gender differences in behaviour, Early experience and the development of behaviour, Feeding behaviour of domestic dogs and the role of experience, Social and communication behaviour of companion dogs, The ethology and epidemiology of canine aggression, Canine behavioural therapy, Effects of owner personality and attitudes on dog behaviour.

The third part of the book deals with: Dogs as human companions: a review of the relationship, The welfare of dogs in human care, Variation in dog society: between resource dispute and social flux, Population biology and ecology of feral dogs in central Italy, From paragon to pariah: some reflections on human attitudes to dogs, and finishing up with The hair of the dog.

As you can see this is an all encompassing, scientific book about canis familiaris (excuse the lack of italics!).

In my opinion, this book is ideally suited to students either studying animal management at a-level and degree level, it is not for the faint-hearted, but if you are serious about dogs in the scientific and academic sense, this is the ideal book for you and your assignements.
It is a clearly laid out book, with some very nice clear black and white pictures (as it is printed on nice paper).
Definitely a worthy additon to your bookshelf!

A good book with many areas of interestesting research.
If you are seriously interested in studying the behaviour of dogs this is an excellent book to read. Amongst many other scientifically explored topics it shows how the circumstances surrounding a dogs life can relate to the dogs behaviour. I found I needed to re-read some areas several times to be able to fully appreciate the text, but I don't think this detracted from my enjoyment of this very interesting book.

Excellent book, suitable for both researcher and dog lover
This book is packed with easily understandable, concise information. Whether you are a behaviorist or simply a dog lover, this is a must have.