Overview of the Book

This book traces the evolution of the dog, from its origins about 15,000 years ago up to recent times. The timing of dog domestication receives attention, with comparisons between different genetics-based models and archaeological evidence.

Morphological Changes

Allometric patterns between dogs and their ancestors, wolves, shed light on the nature of the morphological changes that dogs underwent.

Dog Burials and Social Bonds

Dog burials highlight a unifying theme of the whole book: the development of a distinctive social bond between dogs and people; the book also explores why dogs and people relate so well to each other.

Geographical Focus

Though cosmopolitan in overall scope, the greatest emphasis is on the New World, with an entire chapter devoted to dogs of the arctic regions, mostly in the New World.

Modern Roles of Dogs

Discussion of several distinctive modern roles of dogs underscores the social bond between dogs and people.