Understanding Your Dog: How to interpret what your dog is really telling you

Introduction

Canine

Companionship

The bond between people and dogs stretches back beyond the start of recorded history—for at least 15,000 years and possibly nearer to 100,000 years. At the start, their relationship was utilitarian, with dogs helping to hunt, warning of danger, and even being eaten if food was otherwise in short supply. However, archaeology has revealed clear signs that dogs soon became cherished companions as well as working animals, and since those early days, people and dogs have continued to maintain a close relationship.

From Working Animal to Pet

The most dramatic shift in man’s relationship with canines has occurred over the past century, because the majority of dogs are now no longer kept as working companions but simply as pets. This has caused difficulties, because breeds that had been developed over the course of many centuries as workers cannot easily abandon their ancestral past to settle only as household companions. Collies, for example, have worked as sheepdogs for many thousands of years and can very easily become bored and even destructive without having sufficient exercise and distraction. This is why it is vital that you delve carefully into the ancestry of breeds that interest you to gain a clear insight into their behavior before taking on a canine companion, rather than simply being seduced by a cute appearance. You need to match the needs of your pet to your lifestyle to ensure that—as much as possible—you will be compatible with each other.

All dogs are individuals, just as we are, and experiences gained through life shape their personalities. If you are not used to having dogs around, it may be better to start with a puppy who can grow up in your home, rather than taking on an adult dog from an animal shelter who will already have set behavior patterns. There are a number of people—such as your veterinarian or a local dog trainer—who will be able to guide you through the critical early months if you have not had a puppy before, helping to ensure that your pet will grow up to be a well-trained companion. Some breeds, such as the whippet, are much more responsive to training than others, such as the chow chow, and this is another important factor to consider at the outset when determining which type of dog to choose.

Certain breeds were evolved for specific work purposes. However, the view of dogs as a household companion selected for its looks came about in the late 1800s as a result of the dog show.

The Influence of Dog Shows

The way that we view dogs has also altered significantly since the 1800s, to some extent mirroring changes in society, and is continuing to do so today. The industrialization that swept through Europe and North America during the second half of the 1800s gave rise to a growing and increasingly prosperous middle class. This in turn led to the phenomenon known as fancying—the selective breeding of plants and animals, with competitions in which entrants were judged against an ideal to select a winner. It was quite natural that dogs would form part of this trend, since they had been closely involved with people over the course of many centuries.

An Englishman, Charles Cruft, initially appreciated the scope of the dog fancy when he visited a show being staged as part of the Paris Exhibition in 1878. He returned home full of inspiration, organized a terrier show with the backing of wealthy dog-loving patrons, and by 1891 was sufficiently confident to launch an annual show for all breeds. The public was soon flocking to these events, keen to see the ever growing number of different types of dog on display. The dog was no longer perceived as a working companion but as an object of aesthetic pleasure, and not surprisingly, more people started to acquire them. One contemporary estimate suggested that dog ownership had risen more than sixty-fold between the late 1800s and the early 1900s. This was almost certainly an exaggeration, but this period undoubtedly saw the establishment of the dog as a household companion and reflected a trend that has continued right through to the present day. Alongside this growth in ownership, the supply of prepared dog food—which was pioneered by James Spratt and Charles Cruft himself—has also grown into a massive global industry.

Some General Canine Characteristics

Within their various groups, dogs have certain traits in common.

Gundogs: Responsive but active. Can be prone to obesity without adequate exercise.

Scent hounds: Enthusiastic and exuberant. Running off can be a problem.

Sheepdogs: Intelligent, active companions that respond well to training.

Sight hounds: Often sleekcoated, so grooming needs are minimal. Like to run. Can be nervous with strangers.

Terriers: Lively, feisty dogs with plenty of energy. Often dig and can bark loudly.

Fashion does influence the popularity of breeds, causing them to undergo shifts in their popularity. Fox terriers, like this wirecoated example, were very popular in the 1920s, but their numbers have since declined significantly over the years.

Changing Perspectives

Artists of the time captured the growing sentimental feeling toward dogs, a trend that began in late Victorian times. It helped, of course, that members of the British royal family—including Queen Victoria herself—were known to be great dog lovers. The loyalty of a dog toward his owner was reflected by many contemporary portrayals of the period by artists such as Sir Edwin Landseer. Later artists, such as Arthur Wardle, tended to emphasize the beauty and form of the dog after show standards became well established. Shows themselves were social occasions, drawing people from a variety of backgrounds. The progression of the dog to the show ring and, later, to fireside companion followed a similar pattern in North America, with the establishment of the American Kennel Club in 1884 and its Canadian counterpart four years later.

Hollywood Dogs

In America a new medium—that of cinematic film—was growing in authority and would bring the appeal of owning a dog to an ever wider audience. In its early days, Hollywood made stars out of several dogs—starting with Rin Tin Tin in the 1920s.

Rin Tin Tin

When an American airman, Lee Duncan, rescued a German shepherd puppy from an abandoned dugout in France at the end of the First World War, little did he realize how this display of kindness would transform his life. Back in California, Rinty easily mastered a number of tricks that his owner taught him, so when Duncan heard that a film company was looking for a dog to play a part in one of their movies, he decided to take Rinty along for the audition. He didn’t expect to be successful—he just wanted to go and see how a film studio operated.

Dogs soon learn to adapt to family living, especially if acquired as puppies.

However, Rinty—named after a small doll that French soldiers had carried for luck during the war—won the part. The resulting movie, Where the North Begins, was released in 1923 and was an immense hit, mainly because of Rinty’s contribution. It was the start of a career that saw Rin Tin Tin earning over 5 million dollars—a huge amount of money even today—and at the peak of his fame receiving 10,000 letters from fans every week. Some in the film industry even regarded Rin Tin Tin as the savior of the famous Warner Brothers studios. Although rival studios tried to copy the format, they were mostly unsuccessful—as far as the public was concerned, there was only one Rin Tin Tin. He made 19 feature films, as well as starring in a number of mini series, and when he died in 1932, his son maintained the family tradition—although he remained firmly in the shadow of his famous father.

Lassie

While Rin Tin Tin remains the most famous individual dog ever to star in a movie, there have been other famous film parts for dogs, which have reinforced their popular standing as faithful companions. The best known are the Lassie films, the origins of which can be traced back to a short story entitled Lassie Come Home, which was originally published in a British newspaper in 1938 but was expanded into a book some two years later. It told the story of a boy, Joe, who was accompanied back from school every day for four years by his faithful pet dog, Lassie. However, the two were separated when Joe’s father was forced to sell the dog because they could no longer afford to feed her. Lassie went away to a new home that was more than 400 miles away, but courageously she headed back in search of her old home, finally being reunited with Joe after a series of dramatic events.

Two breeds whose popularity has been boosted as a result of starring film roles are the German shepherd (below), which used to be known as the Alsatian, and the rough collie (opposite).

A film based on the book was released in 1943, starring a rough collie called Pal, who was propelled into the role at the last minute after the producers’ first choice molted most of her long coat just prior to the start of filming in the summer. The movie proved very popular, diverting people from the grim realities of the Second World War, which was then raging across Europe and beyond. Pal himself continued in the role for a further six films and also took part in a radio show that featured Lassie barking dutifully at appropriate moments. Four generations of Pal’s descendants subsequently assumed the role in various revivals between 1953 and 1974. The last dog actually related to Pal appeared in the part in 1978, but the enduring fascination of Lassie is such that new versions of the story continue to be filmed, both for the cinema and for television.

By the 1950s, however, life had become rather more complicated, as reflected by Fred Gipson’s story of Old Yeller, which was subsequently turned into a film by Walt Disney. Here was a tough, ugly cross breed, living up to his name in both color and voice and missing an ear, who comes into the life of a Texas frontier family in the 1860s by stealing some meat. Old Yeller continues to hang around, and a growing bond between him and the family is significantly strengthened when he saves the older boy, Travis, from being badly savaged by a group of wild boar, suffering dreadful injuries himself in the process.

At the end of the story, he battles with a rabid wolf, defending Travis’s mother from certain death, but then must be shot by the family to prevent him from suffering the symptoms of this dreadful, incurable disease. Here was not only unswerving loyalty but also redemption.

Even in the more overtly cynical mood that seems to prevail today, filmmakers have not neglected the role of the dog as a force for good in our lives. This was even apparent in the movie Cats and Dogs, released early in 2001, which placed the traditional images of these two popular groups of pets into sharp contrast: It features loyal dogs seeking to protect human endeavor from opportunistic cats.

Nipper

Of course, in the past, specific dogs have become linked with particular brands and used to sell the brand to the public. The most notable example was probably Nipper, a black-and-white fox terrier. Nipper was born in 1884 and came into the care of the artist Francis Barraud after his original owner died. Barraud was entranced by the way that Nipper would sit and cock his ear in the direction of the gramophone when music was playing and the artist painted the scene, entitling the work His Master’s Voice.

Initially, Barraud was unable to sell the painting, but subsequently he updated it and in 1901 the Victor Talking Machine Company of Camden, New Jersey, acquired the American rights to both the picture and its title. This passed in due course to RCA when the companies merged, and Barraud’s image of Nipper ultimately became the most famous and enduring symbol of recorded music throughout the 20th century. Nipper died in 1895, however, before he could enjoy his newfound fame.

Mirrors of Society

Various writers have also explored the possibility of gaining a wider insight into the world around us—good or bad—through sharing one’s life with a dog. John Steinbeck’s Travels with Charley: In Search of America was published in 1962 and revealed deepseated social divisions in North American society in that period.

Subsequently, Travels with Lizbeth: Three Years on the Road and on the Streets by Lars Eighner appeared in 1993. He describes how he grew to rely on Lizbeth’s abilities while they were living rough together: Both had effectively been cast out by society, but together they formed a team with a strong and meaningful bond growing between them.

Brand Celebrities

In the past, dogs became famous through the media for their starring role in a film or because they had well-known owners, but now there is a new dimension becoming evident. At the start of the 21st century, the phenomenon of dogs evolving into brand celebrities in their own right marks another turning point in our relationship with our canine companions. The links between fashion and personalities that have developed in human society are now being reflected in canine circles as well, with anthropomorphism growing in strength.

Manfred, a Yorkshire terrier from the Swedish town of Malmö, started this trend. The media spotlight focused initially very much on Manfred, portraying him as a canine celebrity with an extensive wardrobe of stylish outfits, visiting Hollywood, and mingling with film stars there, as well as attending a host of other prestigious events around the world. The result was ultimately that Manfred helped to pioneer and establish an exclusive and aspirational canine fashion brand, matching the way in which designer labels for people are often promoted through famous brand ambassadors.

Manfred wearing a nautical outfit. His public appearances in many countries led to him becoming a leading canine fashion icon, and a star in his own right.

The appeal of dogs—especially puppies—is such that they are frequently used to advertise a wide range of products.

Dogs and Their

Personalities

It is only very recently that dogs have crossed the threshold to live as our companions indoors. They were originally regarded mainly as working animals, and the jobs for which they were bred have shaped their personalities. This is why it is important to look at the ancestry of breeds that appeal to you rather than to select a dog simply on the basis of looks, because you may find out that its temperament does not suit your surroundings and lifestyle.

What Are Breeds?

Nobody can say definitely how many breeds of dog there are, because of the definition of what constitutes a breed. Essentially, a recognizable breed is a type of dog with distinctive physical characteristics whose puppies will have the same traits. All the major characteristics of the breed are summarized in their show standard, which judges use at dog shows to determine the winners of specific classes. On this basis, only types of dog that have recognized judging standards can be counted as breeds, and there are around 250 breeds that are recognized worldwide for show purposes.

A broader definition of a breed is a recognizable type of dog that produces puppies that clearly resemble it, and there are as many as another 150 distinctive types of dog covered by this broader definition. These other breeds usually have a very localized distribution and are still kept for working purposes but are not likely to be seen in the show ring. In time, however, their popularity may spread, so they in turn establish a more widespread following. At this point they will start to be seen in the show ring, and a show standard will therefore be established.

Dogs come in all shapes and sizes, but all are descended from the gray wolf. Those that are standard in appearance represent breeds. All others are often simply described as mutts—such as the one at the end of the line of hounds and terriers below!

Dognosis Different Breeds

There is no universal classification of dog breeds. However, show classifications tend to divide dogs into distinct groups that reflect the purpose for which they have been bred and thus their characteristic behavior. Hounds, for example, may be further divided into sight hounds