Little Dogs Get their Little Legs from Wolves

aip ^ | July 16, 2009 | Devin Powell

[JoeProBono]

[JoeProBono]

[JoeProBono]

[mysterio]

When I look at my tiny dog, it’s hard to imagine her wolf ancestor. And yet, that is the case.

[JoeProBono]

wolf dog hybrid puppy

[JoeProBono]

[Diana in Wisconsin]

I have a Basset Hound and I just love him to pieces. Never thought I’d like the breed, but I won him in a poker game, so I was stuck with him, LOL!

I look down at him sometimes, ruffle his GORGEOUS ears and say, “Rufus! God put your paws on sideways!” So now I know why he’s such a stub. ;)

Amazingly, he’s not much of a digger, but he goes for long walks with me; he’s not a total couch potato.

We also had a black & tan dachshund when I was a kid. Nice dog; very obedient, very protective of us kids.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

[JoeProBono]

[Diana in Wisconsin]

LOL! Disco Weiner!

[Diana in Wisconsin]

[kanawa]

Woof

[Desdemona]

I hate to argue with the author, but when it comes to dogs in the last 5,000 years, there's not much evolutionary about them unless they're feral and have been for the entire time. No other species has been as manipulated for human use. Short legs are a mutation, yes, but a trait for which specific breeds were developed, just like the higher hindquarters my dear and darling Havaneses have and the spectacular nose their predecessor, a yellow lab, had. Dogs are bred for personality and functionality traits and not much is left to chance. Well, unless a careless breeder leaves the gate open.

[rottndog]

Thanks!

Although I’m mostly partial to Rotts, I have had Bassets in the past. Great dogs too!

[SunkenCiv]

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[bigheadfred]

“and six small dogs...”

Oh, the humanity. :-)

[FourPeas]

My short-legged mutt certainly *thinks* she's a wolf: small dog with a big attitude. She is a good digger. Actually, it's quite amazing to watch her go after moles in the yard. She's very efficient. Her digging method naturally fills in her trail when she digs horizontally, too. Now, if I can just get her to replace her divits when she goes vertical....

[JoeProBono]

[FourPeas]

Yup, that looks a lot like her ‘cept she’s all brown and her tail isn’t bobbed.

[constitutiongirl]

My mom and stepdad have a basset named Fred and that dog is like a rock star. Every where they go, people are always hugging on him, kissing him. It’s insane. My 2 year old loves to use him as a pillow and she loves to hear him bark. Makes her giggle hysterically.