All the News That's Fit to Bark!
Different angles on one enduring subject. Follow the sources in each story, compare the evidence, and make room for a surprise.
Historical collection imageUnknown authorUnknown author · Public domain
Royal charters set rules for restraining dogs to protect game, while hunting manuals later recorded the calls and names used by those who followed hounds on the trail.
Historical collection imageGary Todd from Xinzheng, China · Public domain
Legal commentaries in the Digest of Justinian outline when owners or handlers could be held liable for harm caused by dogs and other animals.
Historical collection imagePeter Tillemans · Public domain
Parliamentary records show how lawmakers tried to raise money from dog keepers for more than two centuries.
PhotographNo-longer-here from Pixabay · CC0 1.0
The first recorded dog show in 1859 focused on sporting dogs, while the Kennel Club later introduced consistent rules emphasizing registration, health, and fair play.
Historical collection imagePenitential texts from before the 11th century listed dog meat among prohibited foods, with evidence of such taboos surfacing mainly during famines.
Historical collection imageA 14th-century tale of a saint and his canine companion became an enduring symbol of compassion during times of plague.
PhotographArchaeological finds from select European sites offer glimpses into possible relationships between people and dogs, while underscoring the challenges of interpreting ancient deposits.
PhotographMitch Barrie from Reno, NV, USA · CC BY-SA 2.0
The romantic image of dogs that panic without their owners may feel like ultimate loyalty, but it often masks distress that harms both pets and people.
Historical collection imageIsotope data and jaw shapes from Mesolithic through Chalcolithic canine remains show how dogs’ feeding patterns shifted alongside changes in human hunting and herding economies.
Historical collection imageNew DNA from roughly 15,000-year-old bones shows a widespread population of early dogs already living alongside humans across Europe and Anatolia during the Late Upper Paleolithic.