Bryan Cummins huge contribution to the current abundance of books about dogs, their history, and origins deserves a reserved spot on every reference shelf - public or private. He gives us an immense book that could easily have been 3 or 4 books, or more. He gives us a compendium review of the existing literature, most notably, to my mind, from historic mentions, but right up to the Coppingers and Derr. This book is comprehensive, rational, and exceptionally well done.
Some may find his writing a bit dry. Cummins doesn't give us an emotional take on the topic. I found his writing interesting, but so densely packed with information that I preferred to digest it in bits. It will certainly go on my bookshelves to be referred to again and again. And I will be making plenty of notes in the margins!
Cummins covers the many roles dogs have played in human society. We see them as hunting companions, herding and guarding workers, draft animals, their role in various religions, and on to dogs as fighting machines, both in blood sports, and at war.
On the topic of herding dogs and their history, the subject I was most interested in, Cummins provides a supremely comprehensive review of historical sources who have written about dogs used with livestock, either as guardians or herders.
Cummins is not perfect. He did miss at least one source that I know of - Iris Combe on herding dogs of the UK. And he pictures two breeds, the German Shepherd Dog, and the Rough Collie, as being typical of a certain type of herding dog, when they are both manufactured breeds that have only existed in modern time. (This is absolutely true for the GSD, but could be quibbled about with the Rough Collie. However, it is recognized that the rough collie has, for well over 100 years, been bred for appearance, not function.) Such minor points will also be found in other areas - but these are truly minor points of little significance.
Cummins brings us more good material on the history and cultural anthropology of dogs, in one book, than any other I have seen. And, he does it thoroughly and thoughtfully. The annual convention of the "Dog Writers of America" (2013 or 2014) honored the book with an award of excellence. And well deserved!
Some may find his writing a bit dry. Cummins doesn't give us an emotional take on the topic. I found his writing interesting, but so densely packed with information that I preferred to digest it in bits. It will certainly go on my bookshelves to be referred to again and again. And I will be making plenty of notes in the margins!
Cummins covers the many roles dogs have played in human society. We see them as hunting companions, herding and guarding workers, draft animals, their role in various religions, and on to dogs as fighting machines, both in blood sports, and at war.
On the topic of herding dogs and their history, the subject I was most interested in, Cummins provides a supremely comprehensive review of historical sources who have written about dogs used with livestock, either as guardians or herders.
Cummins is not perfect. He did miss at least one source that I know of - Iris Combe on herding dogs of the UK. And he pictures two breeds, the German Shepherd Dog, and the Rough Collie, as being typical of a certain type of herding dog, when they are both manufactured breeds that have only existed in modern time. (This is absolutely true for the GSD, but could be quibbled about with the Rough Collie. However, it is recognized that the rough collie has, for well over 100 years, been bred for appearance, not function.) Such minor points will also be found in other areas - but these are truly minor points of little significance.
Cummins brings us more good material on the history and cultural anthropology of dogs, in one book, than any other I have seen. And, he does it thoroughly and thoughtfully. The annual convention of the "Dog Writers of America" (2013 or 2014) honored the book with an award of excellence. And well deserved!
