The Lost History of the Canine Race: Our 15,000-Year Love Affair With Dogs [Paperback]

Mary Elizabeth Thurston (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1997

Dogs have been our best friends from the Pleistocene to the present day -- from the mysterious healing dogs of ancient Rome who were reputed to cure with a lick of the tongue, to the canine conquistadors who helped claim the New World, to the American doggie paratroopers of World War Il. In this spirited and comprehensive historical account, anthropologist Mary Elizabeth Thurston draws on ancient artifacts, engravings, archival documents and historical and contemporary photographs to dramatize the evolution of the human-dog relationship throughout the ages.

Exhaustively researched and packed with fascinating lore, "The Lost History of the Canine Race" is also chock-full of photos and illustrations (weird poodle haircuts are only the tip of the iceberg!). An essential addition to every dog lover's bookshelf, it is destined to take its place beside such bestselling paperback classics as Elizabeth Marshall Thomas's The Hidden Life of Dogs and Stanley Coren's The Intelligence of Dogs.

Editorial Reviews

From Kirkus Reviews

Early on in this sprightly study, one thing becomes clear: Canines have been good for us, but we haven't always repaid the kindness. Thurston, an anthropologist, was spurred to write this history when she discovered that artifacts and documents relating to our life with dogs were fast disappearing. She believes that dogs are an important facet in the spiritual and emotional evolution of humans: They give us a sense of the other, foster the deep pleasure of empathy, even serve as four-footed therapists. And, sadly, for many of us ``canines are our one and only link to the natural world that has shaped the human psyche for eons.'' So she set out to gather as much evidence regarding the dog-human nexus as she could. Thurston rakes over archaeological finds that hint at an early date for dog-human bonding (as hunting confederates?) and stresses that domestication led to arrested canine development, with dogs becoming physically and emotionallly dependent on humans after puppyhood. In Egypt she finds a gold mine of evidence on domestication, including canine mummies, and at Pompeii she discovers mosaic beware of dog warnings. She outlines feudal cults of the hunt and lavish Renaissance breeding schemes. Dog uses and abuses are surveyed--the animals served as ancient and modern warriors, as turnspits (hitched to a treadmill to turn the hearth spit). They also serve as a market for affluent material trappings- -haircuts, dog food, pet cemetaries, and the market for purebreds are critiqued. Thurston's affection for dogs is everywhere evident: Readers will sense her outrage at their mistreatment and exploitation, her approval of societies that give dogs respect. A fascinating slice of cultural history, and a sterling tribute to dogs through the centuries. (color and b&w illustrations, not seen) (Book-of-the-Month Club and Quality Paperback Book Club selection) -- Copyright ©1996, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 301 pages
• Publisher: Avon Books (P) (December 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0380730499
• ISBN-13: 978-0380730490
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #975,154 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lost History is a MUST HAVE book for dog lovers!, November 25, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: The Lost History of the Canine Race: Our 15,000-Year Love Affair With Dogs (Paperback)

I got Mary Thurston's THE LOST HISTORY OF THE CANINE RACE, expecting to learn some interesting bits about the heritage of our best friends. What I found was all that and so much more. From the mysterious circumstances surrounding the emergence of dogs at the end of the Ice Age, to a profoundly eloquent examination of canine "history in the making" and the emergence of a global pet society on the advent of the 21st century. Ancient Egyptian dog mummies, medieval Turnspits, Victorian dog shows, the valiant American K9 Corp of WWII, and so much more. Beautifully illustrated throughout, The Lost History offers something for everyone who's ever lived with a dog, pure or mixed breed. A must-have addition to pet libraries everywhere, this book has changed the very core of my relationship with canines.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars What About Africa?, June 20, 2006

By 

Helen W. Mallon (Philadelphia, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Lost History of the Canine Race: Our 15,000-Year Love Affair With Dogs (Paperback)

This well-researched, entertaining and readable book makes a subtle omission. While laying out a convincing case for the wolf origins of domestic dogs, there is little discussion of how early canines migrated from their beginnings in Asia to every continent. The early chapters shift focus from stone age times in Europe to the civilisation of Ancient Egypt, where, the author states, exotic dogs such as Basenjis were "imported" from Africa (overlooking the fact that Egypt is in Africa). How did Asian wolves become African Basenjis? And how did wolves come to Australia?

Unfortunately, Africa is not mentioned in the book's index, making an indexed study of "The Lost History" difficult.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars best dog book ever, October 12, 2009

By 

Susanne Sandidge (Shoreview, MN United States) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Lost History of the Canine Race: Our 15,000-Year Love Affair With Dogs (Paperback)

This is an important book, the kind you keep and don't loan out for fear it won't be returned. Most books about dogs are mostly pablum: descriptions of what each breed what developed for, a few heartwarming stories. This book describes a lot of the dark side of the human-dog relationship. I was stunned at descriptions of the way the Spaniards used vicious dogs against the Indians of South America, the endless work loads of "turnspits" and cart dogs, and much more. This has the best description I have seen of how social class has affected the lives of dogs. I never realized how many kinds of dogs have been allowed to die out because they were considered lower class. A must read!