One of the criticisms surrounding the dog’s eye view of breeding stemming from an earlier post, “Re-framing”, is it either paints them as social parasites or strips down their best assets to veneer. Both are the furthest from the truth.
In fact, the re-framed perceptive is not really from the dog’s point of view. No life-form has control over its own fate. The English Bulldog didn’t ask to be in the state it’s presently in. The Neapolitan Mastiff doesn’t desire to drown in its own folds. They are simply genetically programmed to be that way. It is more accurate to say it’s from the DNA’s point of view.
The cold hard truth is we are all vessels for our genes. All living things only exist as vehicles to replicate themselves. The problem is this implies genes are selfish. They are not; that’s anthromorphism. Thinking of genes as such leads to dangerous ideologies with unforeseen consequences.
Genes are not conscious. They don’t will themselves into existence. They are either there or they are not; and either those genes will succeed in replicating themselves or the collective fails to thrive. In no way can they predict dead-ends.
Let’s go back to the basics: physics is constantly struggling to reach an equilibrium; molecules are bound to the laws of physics; molecules attempt to stabilize themselves through chemical reactions; DNA are made up of chemicals; DNA replicates because it is a stable form for molecules to bond. Therefore, the final product is stable within its environment, and evolution is a force which allows the population to re-stabilize. In turn, artificial selection is a form of co-evolution.
To tie it back with the dogs: the English Bulldog only exists because its environment permits the current form. Saying the English Bulldog is meant to be tortured in order to be pampered is like saying cattle willingly go to the slaughter because their existence rests solely on cultivation. They don’t. It’s just how reality pans out.
It is also grasping at straws dogs are not aware of their own existence. It is like saying humans are not aware of their short-comings. If when we interact with others, our weak areas become obvious, then dogs are also aware of their limitations. If the English Bulldog could breathe, they would take it. However they know they cannot make things better, so they do the best in what they do– catering to their owners.
The best example of illustrating how dogs are aware of their limitations is how a pack of hounds are constructed for the purpose of chasing cougars or bears. Oftentimes, Airedale Terriers and Coonhounds or Plott Hounds are paired together. The job of the Hound is to keep track of the game in order to keep the pressure on the run and to bay. The Hound takes the backseat to the Terrier when the cat or the bear takes the final stand. It is the Terrier’s job to confuse their foe to prevent the end-game from being a massacre. The two works beautifully together making up for each others’ weaknesses.
The same can be said about many dogs and stability within their nichés: Border Collies are best tailored competing in sheep-trials; the English Shepherds inhabit small farms; the Saluki excels in coursing; the Curs are well-rounded for the non-affluent; and the English Bulldog are well-cared for under owners doting over them. If the individual are unable to fulfill their niché, they spill over into neighbouring niches. If related niches cannot be found, they cease to exist.
It’s why breeds are dynamic. It is safe to say most Border Collies are enrolled in a sport of some sort. Unlike their predecessors, the Finnish Spitz now specializes in treeing. Similarly, the sensitive nature of the Golden Retriever lends to their excellence as service dogs. There’s no shame in shift of purposes as it is what enables the dogs to continue their existence.
That being said, the gene-centric view explains many behaviours why dogs are the way they are in their coalition with mankind. However to fullly grasp the awesome power it habours, we first must look past our tendency to humanize the unconscious.
In fact, the gene selection theory can be generalized. Dogs engage in pack dynamics because it divides the labour. They are altruistic; not because there is a hidden agenda where the individual self-benefits, but because it keeps the environment stable for them to thrive. The interdependence of one individual with another is for the whole of the species. Otherwise there is no foundation to build on.
With the genetic point of view in mind, it is pitiful none of us can truly ever shake off our perception. There is so much potential left untouched.
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