Domestic Dogs

B. Smuts

Domestic Dogs

Encyclopedia of Animal Behavior, Editors-in-Chief:  Michael D. Breed and Janice Moore, Oxford, 2010, Pages 562–567

ABSTRACT

Dogs, the first domestic animals, evolved from East Asian wolves approximately 40 000–20 000 years ago. Dogs understand human body language, many spoken words, and even abstract symbols. Dogs pay attention to human face and eyes, and they often turn to humans to help solve problems. Dogs and humans form a mutual emotional bond that reduces stress in both species. Being around dogs improve human physical and mental well-being. Most dogs are very social and play with other dogs if they can. Stray and feral dogs are common on the edges of human society. They form social groups, and sometimes cooperate in territorial defense, much as wolves do.