Scout, a little brown dog, seems to be going crazy. He bounces up and down like a furry ball, yapping and panting and yapping some more. His tiny pink tongue flaps from his mouth as he licks everyone in sight.

Question

“He’s just excited,” sighs 12-year-old Ruby. “He’s always excited.”

Since Scout’s arrival in Ruby’s home two years ago, the dog has been an endless source of slobbery licks, ear-splitting yaps, smelly indoor puddles, and brown stains on the rug. Nobody in Ruby’s family ever imagined that they would own such a spoiled, badly behaved little beast. Nor did they imagine that they could love an animal as much as they love Scout.

“He’s so annoying,” Ruby moans. But then she snatches up the little dog and kisses his wet nose. “But he’s so cute!”

Ruby is far from alone in feeling over-the-moon affection for a dog. According to a 2015 survey by the Harris Poll, 96 percent of owners consider their dogs to be members of the family.

So how did dogs come to be so beloved?

Workers to Pets

Dogs have been at our sides for tens of thousands of years. Until recently, however, unless you were very wealthy, the only reason to keep a dog around was for the work it could do. Dogs chased foxes away from chicken coops and cleared restaurant kitchens of rats. Dogs hunted for ducks and pulled sleds over snowy hills. In cities, firehouse dogs ran ahead of horse-drawn fire wagons, barking to alert people to get out of the way.

These hard-working dogs were too dirty and smelly to be allowed indoors. Dogs that became sick or injured either healed on their own or died; most veterinarians provided care only for more vital and expensive animals, like horses and cows.

But in the late 1800s, all that started to change.

America was becoming wealthier. More people could afford to feed and care for a pet. Powerful new soaps could be used to scrub dogs clean and kill fleas. Companies started selling dog food, which made feeding a dog more convenient. Veterinarians opened offices just for treating dogs and other pets. In the 1950s, TV shows like Lassie and The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin cast dogs in starring roles, helping to make them even more popular as American pets.

A Special Bond

Today, dogs occupy a special place in our homes—and in our hearts. Nearly 50 percent of American families own at least one dog, according to the American Pet Products Association. Americans spend tens of billions of dollars on their dogs each year—on everything from veterinarian visits and grooming to gourmet treats and high-tech gadgets like doggy treadmills. The Harris Poll found that 38 percent of U.S. dog owners cook special meals for their dogs.

Most of these dogs don’t have to earn their keep. An adorable face and, of course, unconditional love are all that’s required of most pets—though dogs do help us in other ways too. Walking a dog several times a day can improve people’s health. Dogs can also help

kids with autism and other challenges cope with stress.

New research is helping to explain the scientific basis for our connection to dogs. In 2015, researchers in Japan found something interesting: When a human and a dog gaze into each other’s eyes, the brains of both species release a chemical. This chemical makes the human and the dog feel close. This is the same chemical that is released when a human mother looks at her baby.

Dogs also have a desire to understand us, and that is unique in the animal kingdom. For example, when we point at something, dogs look where we’re pointing. Not even our closest animal relatives—chimpanzees—do that without being taught.

Of course, the desire to understand humans didn’t stop Ruby’s dog, Scout, from chewing up a brand-new sneaker. Ruby forgave him though. He is family, after all.

Scout may not chase away mice or guard a house like his ancestors. He does have a job though: to love Ruby and her family.

Maybe that is the most important job of all.
1. In “How the Dog Became Part of the Family,” Tarshis refers to research about the biological
connection between dogs and humans. Is this information important to the article?
Explain.

2. How does reading both “How the Wolf Became the Dog” and “How the Dog Became Part of
the Family” give you a better understanding of dogs?

3. Do you think it is fair to still use dogs as workers now that they have become such beloved
pets?

Answer 1

1. Yes, the information about the biological connection between dogs and humans is important to the article because it explains the emotional bond that has developed over time between the two species. By including research that highlights the chemical released when a human and a dog gaze into each other's eyes, the article provides scientific backing for the assertion that dogs are more than just pets—they are companions that deeply understand and connect with us. This connection is a key factor in why dogs have transitioned from working animals to beloved family members, helping to illustrate the evolution of the human-dog relationship.

2. Reading both “How the Wolf Became the Dog” and “How the Dog Became Part of the Family” gives a more comprehensive understanding of dogs by providing historical context as to how dogs evolved from wolves and how their roles have changed over thousands of years. While the first article may focus on the domestication process and the initial utility of dogs as workers, the second article delves into the emotional and familial bonds that have developed in modern times. Together, they demonstrate the journey from wild wolves to cherished companions, highlighting how dogs have adapted to living alongside humans and why they hold such a significant place in our lives today.

3. It can be considered fair to use dogs as workers, provided that their welfare, training, and treatment are prioritized. While dogs have become beloved pets, their capacity to assist humans in various roles—such as therapy dogs, service dogs, or working dogs in roles like search and rescue—can be seen as a continuation of their historical purpose. These roles can also enhance the bond between humans and dogs, as they fulfill a need for cooperation and companionship in a way that is mutually beneficial. However, it is crucial that they are not exploited or treated poorly, and that their needs as living beings are respected. If these conditions are met, utilizing dogs in work roles can be seen as a fair and positive arrangement.