Saturday, August 27, 2011

Dogs in the Wild

By Benjamin Allan


The dog is descended from a wolf, and is a member of the family of canidea. It is believed that humans have been keeping dogsfor about 15,000 years already. A wild dog will show the same behavioral traits as a domestic dog. They are sociable and intelligent creatures. A wild dog is also territorial and marks its territory with their urine to discourage any competitors. The wild dog will decide on pack hierarchy by establishing dominance. The oldest female is often the dominant female within a pack, and there are also older males that have lost their dominance to the younger males. While fighting for dominance, a loser will lie on his back and leave his throat and tummy exposed. The winner will then place his paw on top of the chest of the loser. The battle only finishes when the loser does not look into the winner's eye anymore.

The African Wild Dog is an endangered carnivore that roams the sparse woodlands and open plains within sub-Saharan Africa. They are an extremely social member within the dog family, if not the most social. They also take care of their old, disabled and sick. Their colorful calico coats are black, white and yellow. Their numbers are severely declining due to human persecution, loss of habitation and disease.

Wild dogs show selfless behavior. Old, weak or injured pack members can feed first together with the pups. Unlike lions and wolves, the wild dog will exhibit affection and will stay close together. An African wild dog will often regurgitate its food for the pups and weak and injured pack members.

The only members of an African wild dog pack that breed are the dominant female and male. If there does happen to be another member of the pack that falls pregnant the pups will be killed by the dominant female. A feral dog also displays this kind of breeding behavior. The dominant male and female will usually remain monogamous during their life.

All canines are very social creatures. A lot of wild dogs face increasing threats from the encroachment of humans into their respective territories and losing their habitats. Parvovirus and distemper are diseases that are decimating their populations. A lot of the breeds are also facing extinction. This includes the African Wild Dog as well as the Dhole of Asia. These dogs will quite often be ignored together with other wild dogs that are misunderstood.

Former pets and their offspring as well as feral dogs are found near human populations. A feral dog will survive by scavenging for food and also shelter. Some dog rescue organizations encourage trapping and subsequent rehabilitation for the feral dogs to become pets. Other dog rescue groups advise the trap, neuter and return approach.

With the trap, neuter and return approach the dog rescue groups set up places where the feral dogs can eat and be sheltered. They are then spayed or neutered to stop any reproduction as well as fighting and roaming. They could also be transferred to fenced areas where food and water and also shelter could be provided.




About the Author:



No comments: