The Origin of Dogs

nessdog writes "Your old friend in the back-yard can read you like an open book according to this article from the BBC. They report that your dog's power of reading your body language is better than a chimps. So next time you tell a lie, just remember who might be watching..."

Comments

3 canine Eves

[Strange Ranger]

Given the small genetic sample that it seems 95% of dogs have originated from, I wonder if some careful breeding of wolves back into the dog gene pool would help with all the congenital problems that dog breeders have to be so vigilent about. Genetic diversity of course being a Good Thing.

I know dog/wolf hybrids aren't supposed to make good pets, can be dangerous, wild, etc. But careful breeding back into the most popular dog breeds would be worth preventing thousands of cases of hip dysplasia, eye problems, heart problems, skin problems, etc., etc.

A wolf/poodle cross might be a little disturbing though.

Re:3 canine Eves

[R.Caley]

I wonder if some careful breeding of wolves back into the dog gene pool would help with all the congenital problems that dog breeders have to be so vigilent about.

Dog breeders have problems not because of the genetic base of all dogs, but because they make money breeding dogs with their close relatives. The result is the doggy equivalent of banjo players and European royals.

Re:Dogs smarter than chimps

[Stoutlimb]

I don't think dogs are smarter... They may be fairly good at interpreting social cues from humans, but that's from conditioning.

Personally I think dogs are better at finding food because of their superior sense of smell. I think this is another case of bad research, at least with comparing relative intelligence.