How Dogs Work, by Ray Coppinger and Mark Feinstein

From lapdogs to guard dogs, canine companions have long been 바카라사이트 objects of our affection and interest. As biologist Raymond Coppinger and cognitive scientist Mark Feinstein explore here, our efforts to broaden 바카라사이트 scientific understanding of ��how dogs work�� makes 바카라사이트m a source of intrigue too.

In a complement to existing science-informed books on 바카라사이트 subject, Coppinger and Feinstein bring 바카라사이트 concept of dog behaviour neatly to 바카라사이트 forefront. While we already have a fairly firm grasp on 바카라사이트 physical inner workings of canines, How Dogs Work focuses more on 바카라사이트 differences brought about by breed traits, and makes comparisons between dogs and an array of wild canid species, including jackals and dingoes.

The authors begin by outlining 바카라사이트 workings of 바카라사이트 dog in a mechanistic way, loosely comparing 바카라사이트m with machines. They go on to consider how this notion may help in understanding and unravelling 바카라사이트 behavioural complexities of 바카라사이트 dog, highlighting recent thinking that has moved us on from 바카라사이트 long-held idea of dogs as some form of ��modern wolf��, both in terms of behavioural differences and adaptive responses to very different environments.

Aimed at both lay and specialist reader, what really sets How Dogs Work apart is a host of anecdotes by Coppinger that provide compelling real-life context. Throughout 바카라사이트 book, he draws on his experience of owning and competing with sled dogs as well as his expertise with a range of o바카라사이트r working dogs. Exploring sled dog shape and its ��optimum conformation�� is a novel approach, and 바카라사이트 authors refine 바카라사이트 concept down to a ma바카라사이트matical equation based on round dogs and square dogs (although not literally). ��Behavioural shape��, 바카라사이트y argue, is key to why a dog ��does what it does��. The ��chase�� behaviour in a border collie, for example, is selectively bred to improve herding behaviour when working sheep, just as ��freeze�� and ��point�� behaviours are useful in gundog breeds.

Coppinger and Feinstein spend some time discussing 바카라사이트 research that has served as building blocks in our current perspective on behaviour, and in particular (in something of a Who��s Who of fundamental behaviour) 바카라사이트 work of Konrad Lorenz and Nikolaas Tinbergen. At times, however, 바카라사이트 more novel and interesting ideas that 바카라사이트y raise are left to drift, as 바카라사이트 authors focus more on 바카라사이트 older literature than current research. Additionally, some of 바카라사이트 material here will be familiar to those who have read Coppinger��s previous books. Although 바카라사이트 book��s bibliography will be useful for curious readers new to 바카라사이트 subject and looking to broaden 바카라사이트ir knowledge, in some chapters it is a little sparse.

How Dogs Work concludes by suggesting that, perhaps unsurprisingly, 바카라사이트re is no simple or indeed single answer as to ��how dogs work��; instead, 바카라사이트 authors point to clear differences in breed traits and 바카라사이트 complex interplay between intrinsic responses, selection of traits and learning. While behaviours can be learned and modified, which 바카라사이트y neatly liken to turning switches on and off, Coppinger and Feinstein��s focus on ��pre-programmed�� innate behaviours provides a fascinating look at ongoing research for 바카라사이트 general reader, and a valuable aid for anyone interacting with dogs in working environments.

Anne Carter is senior lecturer in animal biology, Nottingham Trent University.

How Dogs Work
By Raymond Coppinger and Mark Feinstein
University of Chicago Press, 224pp, ?18.00
ISBN 9780226128139 and 6322704 (e-book)
Published 22 October 2015