Posted on 07/14/2018 5:39:07 PM PDT by Norski
View Academic Paper DogsBite.org was recently introduced to a variety of works by internationally acclaimed animal behaviorist Alexandra Semyonova -- born in the U.S. and educated at John Hopkins University and University College London. Semyonova writes with breathtaking honesty about issues that matter the most: the reality of selecting for aggression and the repeated denial by humane organizations and dog breeders that such selection bears no hereditary significance.
Semyonova's 8-page academic paper explains, in easily understandable terms, the roots and results of selective breeding. Semyonova states in the opening sentence, "Probably everyone understands that all dog breeds we have created are a result of our own manipulation of inherited physical traits." Semyonova continues, "Once the discussion started about perhaps banning breeds that, as a breed, have a high tendency to attack and kill, everything got confused."
Semyonova's paper clears up this confusion by discussing how it is possible for behavior to be inherited in domestic dogs.
The paper begins by delving into the "physical conformation" of the dog, the shape that best suits the task the dog has been bred to perform, as well as the "behavioral conformation" of the dog. Both aspects are the result of generations of selective breeding, which is why a poodle can be taught to herd sheep but will never out-perform a border collie in the task. "We have bred certain things into various breeds genetically and thus irrevocably," Semyonova candidly states. "Physical and behavioral conformation mean that you cannot breed out behavior and keep the dog the same shape," Semyonova states. "Form follows function – you can’t have a dog whose entire body and brain are adapted to executing the killing bite without having, in fact, a dog who will execute the killing bite." - Semyonova
(Excerpt) Read more at blog.dogsbite.org ...
The combination of these studies shows that through selection for "aggressive performance," breeders have in fact been selecting for specific abnormalities in the brain. In essence, instead of excluding abnormally aggressive dogs from their breeding stock, Semyonova points out that, "breeders focused on making lineages in which all the dogs would carry these genes (i.e., dogs which would reliably exhibit the desired impulsive aggressive behavior). They succeeded."
The concluding section discusses "form follows function." For example, it is by no mistake that dogs selected for "killing" (the pit bull, dogo Argentino and others) are characterized by exaggerated jaw muscles and the willingness to attack in the absence of species-specific signs. Additionally, the environments for which these behaviors were selected (the fighting pit and escaping slave) are so extreme that there is no appropriate context for them in normal life. "It’s also not realistic to pretend that impulsive aggression is not pathological. The environments (the fighting pit, the baited bull, the escaping slave) for which these behaviors were selected as an adaptive response are so extreme that in fact there is no appropriate context for these behaviors in normal life." - Semyonova
Excerpted. PDF at link. Re-uploaded on Dogsbite.org in June 2018
I didn’t study the article but got the obvious gist of it.
It is one of those things which all the facts say one thing and all the experts say the opposite.
The same thing is true of intelligence and humans.
“It is one of those things which all the facts say one thing and all the experts say the opposite.”
Care to back that up with some facts?
I guess I could but don’t feel like doing it right now.
“I guess I could but don’t feel like doing it right now.”
LOL!
I don’t need to read a ‘study’ to know about pit bull dogs.
I’ve lived in the ‘hood’.
Your comments appear to be very carefully made to imply something, without actually saying anything.
I take it to understand that you would like to disagree with the author’s conclusions, but based on the research and article, cannot.
Nor do I. But it can be useful for those who wish to believe that an animal bred for killing for hundreds of years, is safe to have in your home for a pet. For anyone.
No, just the opposite. I agree with her and disagree with all the breeders who say that pit bulls are sweethearts. They just aren’t raised right etc.
Well there probably is some truth in that you can turn a friendly dog into a monster but there is a reason we hear about all the killings and maiming done by pit bulls.
Yes. If you cull an animal for aggression through many generations, you can’t predict how genes are going to fall in the future.
I know people who keep these dogs. Every one of them thinks that their dog is loving, kind, will never go wrong.
Unfortunately, those whose dogs have maimed and killed people have thought the same thing - perhaps with years of positive experience to back up their assumptions. And then...
Anyone who has worked with various breeds know they are predisposed to certain personality traits.
true
Thank you for clarifying this.
Alexandra Semyonova is well known.
“. . internationally acclaimed animal behaviorist Alexandra Semyonova — born in the U.S. and educated at John Hopkins University and University College London.”
If you wish to know more, the articles are listed at www.dogsbite.org.
Very nice video. I enjoyed it, thank you.
I have friends who have owned border collies, and unfortunately, the dogs had no one and nothing to herd. Both of them (they had one for years, and then another) were neurotic from lack of work.
My cousins have one. They brought it to Thanksgiving dinner, and as soon as it got into the house, where it had never been before, it went on a thorough scouting tour to get the layout and maybe check for danger. It is the most simpatico dog I have ever known. It seems to understand English.
Ever had a Jack Russell Terrier? Those little guys will run circles around all kinds of other dogs and animals. Their human better be healthy and active by taking the Jack’s out everyday to run and play because if they don’t; they get neurotic. They aren’t the only breed like that either.
I think the important takeaway on this subject is when people decide to get a pet for their home to be a family dog; they need to do their research to make an informed decision. Especially with purebreds. All of mine are rescues and none of them purebreds. Another thing that tends to calm dogs down, even the more athletic active ones, is age. I like to get rescues that are at least 3 years old. They have all that puppy behavior (chewing up shoes and stuff) out of their system and they still listen/learn well. Once they get to a certain age which varies by breed; the story about teaching old dogs new tricks is true. Hopefully their new human can accept them the way they are. Old dogs don’t usually want much anyway. Some attention and affection. Some treats and of course their food and fresh water.
People can post a million studies about this breed or that breed on FR till the cows come home. Nothing is accomplished and it has nothing to do with what this forum is all about but you know what they say about teaching old dogs new tricks...
Ahhh...”consensus”.
I see...
/s
I have spent time around Jack Russell Terriers, and am familiar with the breed.
Terriers of all types (dachshunds are another terrier) are historically bred to kill vermin - rats, mice, rabbits, etc, usually in a farm or rural setting, although they are being used by city dwellers in NY to address the rat problem. It is interesting to watch them work. I would not keep one in the same household with a bird, rabbit, cat, or ferret.
But Jack Russells are not and have not been bred to dogfight. Therein lies the difference.
Please remember, Norski, Free Republic is not a pitbull discussion forum.
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