Product Description

Stephen Budiansky holds that virtually everything previously written about dogs is either wrong or misguided. Instead he maintains that to understand the true nature of dogs we need to stop interpreting their behaviour in the human terms of loyalty and betrayal. The truth is far more complex and surprising. The Dog Genome Project is currently laying the groundwork for identifying the genetic basis of why our dogs behave in the way they do. Other research investigates canine intelligence, and some remarkable experiments reveal what dogs can and cannot see. Budiansky brings together the disciplines of behavioural science, genetics, neuroscience and archaeology to show us how wrong we have been about man's best friend.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #225679 in Books
• Published on: 2002-02-07
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 272 pages

Amazon.co.uk Review
Prepare to have any illusions about your canine companion totally shattered. In writing The Truth About Dogs, author Stephen Budiansky (The Nature of Horses) is determined to uncover the true nature of our beloved beasts, and it's not always a pretty picture. The introduction presents a basic question: why on earth have we allowed these disease-carrying, biting, destructive and expensive animals into our lives? We know why--it's because we love them, warts and all. So does Budiansky, and once you read past his inflammatory introduction, you will find a book that presents a new way of looking at old behaviours.

His insistence on the recent evolution of separate breeds, even those generally considered to have originated centuries ago like the Mexican hairless, is sure to be controversial. His interpretation of recent behavioural research may raise some hackles as well and begins with an examination of pack behaviour in wolves. While wild packs have only one dominant male and female, we often expect our dogs to behave submissively to an extended family of dominants--not only can that be difficult, but some of their natural "submissive" behaviour can be extremely frustrating. Face licking is an easy example of this poor conduct; Rover thinks he's showing submission, but Grandma's not thrilled with having an 80-pound shepherd jumping on her. In discussions of more general behaviours, Budiansky's examinations of the motivation levels present in different breeds seems to explain much about the success or failure of obedience training. While you may raise your eyebrows and frown through a few of his assertions, this fresh look at old assumptions makes a fascinating read for anyone who's ever loved a dog. --Jill Lightner

About the Author
Formerly Washington editor of the journal Nature, Stephen Budiansky is a senior writer at US News & World Report, where he writes about science, the environment and current affairs. He lives with his wife and two children on a small farm in Virginia.

Customer Reviews

Witty realism - if dogs could read they'd love it
This is a totally comprehensive guide to dogs that's as fresh as its cover. The evolution of every episode of a dogs life is reviewed in a serious but deviously humourous manner. Reading it is like slipping into the dogs skin and living his life for a few hours - an eye opening, earth shattering experience. Many human-dog misunderstandings are exploded so if like me, you love dogs but know little about them you'd better hold on to your hat. I've read many books on animal behaviour but never before have i read one about dogs so this certainly sets the benchmark. After the authors equally colourfull and scientifically accurate book on horses, "The nature of horses," I believe i've made a good choice. If you're a student of animal behaviour or just love dogs, this is a must have, informative read which won't cure insomnia.

The denigration of dogs
I gave up trying to find any useful information from the book about one-third of the way through.
This book is recommended to people who hate dogs --- it will confirm their view of dogs as “manipulative parasites” that are “dangerous and disease-ridden”. Although the author claims that he loves dogs, the purpose of the book seems to be to denigrate dogs at every turn. For example, the sounds and signs of dogs, he claims, have no semantic content. Yet he contradicts himself immediately after this claim, by explaining what the sounds and signs, that dogs make, mean. If they mean something, even if only to other dogs, they have semantic content! His argument seems to be that, because dogs have no appreciation of any theories of abstract semantics, they cannot be using semantics in their communications. Laughable.
The author’s calculation of when dogs split from wolves was based on a graph of DNA mutation versus time, where the form of this graph (a straight line) was generated based on only one data point! Also laughable.
I book I do recommend to dog-lovers is “How to Speak Dog”, by Stanley Coren. He ends his book by giving his idea of “dog’s eternal contract with humans”, as follows.
”I am here with you,” the dog’s breath said. “We will face this life together. There is no beast or intruder that can steal up on you undetected because I am here, and I will be your eyes and ears. No harm will come to you because I am at your side to warn you, and to defend you if need be.
“We will hunt together tomorrow. We will herd together tomorrow. We will share the sunshine tomorrow. We will explore this world together. We will laugh together. We will play together, even though neither of us is any longer a child.
“If luck turns bad, then when you grieve, I will comfort you. You will never need to be alone again. I promise this. As your dog, I will sing this promise to you, and whisper it to you at night, every night, with my breath.”
Budiansky will say that this is sentimental clap-trap. Those of you who have entered into such a contract with a dog will know its truth.

A real eye opener
A wonderfully easy and entertaining read but likely to burst your bubble or enrage you if you are an advocate of dog "pop psychology" and have an over pampered pet. Interesting coverage of how dogs have managed to attain their privileged place in human society. Includes some enlightening ideas on how to manage your dog and some useful follow up references. Bought for me by my son to read (to our dog?) on holiday and a refreshing change from my usual rather heavy reading.