As we move into the modern era and begin to consider the future of the dog species, it becomes important to note the evolution of domestication and artificial selection itself and its implications. With the acceleration of growth and innovation within the human world, humans have spread to all corners of the Earth and are consuming more energy and resources as ever (Christian). This acceleration and industrialization has brought dogs, along with other domesticated animals, with them, catapulting them into a world of modern revolution. As humans have moved away from rural agricultural societies, dogs have taken on a new role as pets rather than working animals. Although they have long been kept for companionship, dogs have for the most part been bred for practical purposes. Whether this was to accompany a hunt, guard a house, or in the case of the bloodhound, track specific scents over long distances, dogs have been artificially selected for working traits rather than for aesthetics. This however has changed in the last hundred years, as most humans’ move into a post-industrial society where these tasks are no longer needed. What happens then to dogs that have been bred to work? Behaviors that were prized a thousand years ago are now seen as annoyances or aggressive, some dogs, such as the bloodhound, have found uses in law enforcement and emergency services, but for the most part, dogs have been relegated to positions without work. They are often enclosed in small spaces and expected to comply with human expectations that are contrary to the last ten thousand years of domestication. It is then important to understand the biological implications of this phenomenon, especially since dogs have piggybacked on the success of humans to become the most populous and widespread Canid in the world. 400 million dogs exist in the world now as compared to about 5 million wolves, globalization and acceleration has affected dogs just as much as it has humans. This mirroring not only highlights the role dogs’ play in human affairs but also points out the need to reexamine their future. Dogs have become, through domestication, a substantial part of the modern world created by humanity and their future is at stake.
AKC Breed Standards for the Bloodhound |
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Not only are they become continuously more and more unsuited to modern life, they are being subjected to breeding standards that are detrimental to their health and genetic diversity. While this website examines the history of the bloodhound breed, it is important to note that the idea of “breeds” are arbitrary human constructions with no biological basis. Each breed of dog is biologically the same species as another dog and the processes of selecting dogs for breeding can be seen as a product of their dwindling usefulness. Dogs are and have been bred for novelty and aesthetics, for dog shows and as pets, with organizations such as the AKC limiting the phenotypic standards of specific breeds. This leads to essentially isolating the population of dogs and limiting the genetic variability, decreasing variability by up to 35%. Inbreeding is not uncommon and genetic diseases become rampant. Bloodhounds for example are subject to extreme cases of bloating in which stomach gases build up and cause death. Their face folds, which originally helped to pick up scents, can also be susceptible to infections and disease (Crawford). It is thus essential that we examine how human decisions in regards to dogs can affect the future of the species as a whole. Will dogs continue to prosper along with humans now that their domestic use has changed? How has human intervention and direction in the past affected dogs in the present? What are steps we can take to ensure the survival and genetic health of our canine companions? These are the important questions to keep in mind as we think about the history of the bloodhounds, and more broadly, of dogs and their role in our lives and culture and determine where they will go in the future.
For the specifics implications of the ways in which bloodhounds have been used and modified biologically of human needs look to:
To further explore the specifics of how bloodhounds have adapted to their new role as pets look at: