Differences in the Behavior of Landraces and Breeds of Dogs - Genetics and the Behavior of Domestic Animals - page 212

of other breeds. Competitors breed a little of this to a little of that in an effort to
produce a superior animal.
It has long been realized by biologists that saltatory changes can be the
products of hybridization ( Stebbins, 1959 ). Haldane (1930) wrote that there
is “

every reason to believe that new species may arise quite suddenly,
sometimes by hybridization, sometimes perhaps by other means. Such spe-
cies do not arise, as Darwin thought, by natural selection. When they have
arisen they must justify their existence before the tribunal of natural selec-
tion.” If we substitute “type, race or breed” for “species” in that statement,
we think we have described the evolution of sled dogs. A look at histories of
working dogs suggests that this is the most accurate and frequent methodol-
ogy for the creation of types. Hybridization of breeds perhaps is the most
frequent cause of morphological diversification and “structural disharmo-
nies” ( Stockard, 1941 ). Thus there is some natural selection (artificial selec-
tion), but most of the adaption is sorting through hybrids for superior
animals. Many now use the agricultural techniques developed in breeding
hybrid corn, chickens, and hogs.
Modern racing sled dogs are a good illustration of how working-dog
behavior is derived. The important point to remember is that the genetic
bases of behavior are based on the shape and structure of the animal.
Technically, all behavior is epigenetic (above the genes). Even as profes-
sionals we often refer (incorrectly) to behavior as a product of genes or to
genetically programmed behaviors ( Coppinger and Coppinger, 2001; Estep,
1996 ). Behavior is defined as an organism moving through space and time.
The form of that movement is a consequence of its shape. The sled dogs
move through space pulling a sled more efficiently than other breeds because
the genes and gene products have created (interactively with the environ-
ment) a shape that predisposes a 20-kg animal to keep cool while running,
with at least one non-sweaty foot on the ground at all times. Sweaty feet are
detrimental because they collect ice crystals.
As in the livestock-guarding dogs, “breeders” will collect dogs of some
origin and sexually isolate them into a breed. A breed standard is developed
of what the ideal sled dog should look like and the resulting animals are reg-
istered with a kennel club. Often the “breeds” will develop from a founding
stock of a handful of animals. Because of selective breeding they can be
traced back to fewer than a handful ( Larson et al., 2012 ). The Siberian husky
is a good example of the process.

...

Herding Dogs and Gun Dogs
Ecology
Herding dogs conduct livestock from one place to another. Their behavior
elicits fear-flocking and/or flight behaviors in livestock. These “chase and