Where Are The Red Foxes Found In Australia
where are the red foxes found in australia
Marcus Careys On the Marc: Be as smart, loving as a dog. Give one for Valentines
Have you ever had a really smart dog? Then you will understand what Im about tosay. If not, ask some of your dog friends about smart dogs, I think you will hear similarstories. Smart dogs are freaky.
To begin with, all dogs are wolves, including that little Chihuahua in a sweater, its awolf too. In fact an ongoing study into the genetic makeup of dogs has made it veryclear, they have the exact same DNA as wolves. Whats the difference? Selectivebreeding.
I was watching television recently and stumbled upon a documentary which chronicledthe decades long study of selective breeding of wolves and foxes somewhere in Russia.The study proved that wolf pups from the wild can be taken into captivity and raisedas dogs, but only up to a certain point. Before they are a year old they lose all of theirabilities to become domesticated.
Wolf pups eventually refuse to respond to commands, orders and revert to their naturalaggressions. What the study showed was how selective breeding could, in just a fewshort generations, make domesticated animals out of wild wolf pups.
The breeders took wolf pups and divided them according to how long they took to revertto their wild ways. The ones that took longer, or in other words, the ones who stayeddomesticated longer, were bred together. Within a very few breeding cycles the resultingwolf pups kept their ability to become domesticated into adult life. The same was truefor foxes.
The scientists then discovered something very weird. As they continued to breed theanimals for gentleness, their appearances began to change. Without breeding for looks,as the wolves and foxes became tamer, they also developed odd physical characteristics.
The Red Fox
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Anthony Hyde
In some their noses shortened. In others their colors changed. In fact, breeding only forgentleness red foxes began producing pups that grew to be white, black, and a variety ofother colors.
The scientists then bred the animals for these characteristics as well and within a coupleof years found that they could create, out of wild wolves and foxes, animals that lookedlike many of the modern dog breeds. Then, when checking their DNA, found that theywere still full blooded wolves.
These studies provided pretty conclusive proof that modern dogs, of every breed, shape,size and color are the product of selective breeding by man over the centuries.
The study was fascinating too because as the dogs were bred differently, they could nowbe bred to produce animals with a higher degree of intelligence. Now you might saythat based upon your high school study of Pavlov that dogs can be conditioned but are notsmart. As a dog owner and lover let me suggest to you that intelligent dogs do exist.
About 20 years ago a friend of mine got divorced and had to move from his farm. Weagreed to take his rescue dog and raise it for him. Molly was part Border collie but shehad something else mixed in that made her look very fox like. In fact, visitors sometimeswould see her in the yard and yell FOX.
Molly was one of our farm dogs, that is she lived outside all year long. She and ourAustralian Shepherd kept warm up in the hay loft making a nest to share among the loosehay on the floor.
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Besides protection, their job was to help bring our livestock to the barn. All we had to dowas tell them to Get em up and off they would go, natural instincts at play, and theywould bark and nip at the heels of our horses or cattle, which ever we were working thatday, and put them right in the barn. That seems smart right? Thats not what Im talkingabout.
Molly literally tried to talk, herself. You could sit and talk to her, ask her fairly difficultquestions for a dog and she would do everything in her power to vocalize an answer. Sheused a combination of squeals, yips and guttural sounds to try to form words. Peopleswear that sometimes they could actually make out some of her words. Thats smart,right? Thats not what Im talking about.
Any one, with our approval, could ask Molly to go get something, or to show us wheresomething was. It didnt have to be anything shed ever been asked to fetch or findbefore, or even a word shed commanded with before, but Molly would either go and getit or with a combination of yips, running, and pointing, bring it or take you to it.
For example you could ask Molly where a tool was located. She would lead you rightto it, or if she could carry or drag it in her mouth, she would bring it. Her eye contactwith humans was deep and penetrating. She responded perfectly to the most complexcommands, without any training whatsoever.
Molly has been gone now for many years. We are dog people here and over time wevehad a number of other dogs. Recently we lost our German Shepherd. She too was smart, loyal and extraordinarily trainable. Now we have only a Jack Russell and a Chihuahua.They are house dogs and they are smart on a whole different level.
Without any training both dogs will go to a specific place in the house upon command.How do they know where the porch is, or the bed is? The Jack Russell knowsexactly what she wants and is pretty demanding when she wants it. If her request is toovague to make out from her eyes or her begging, all you have to do is say show me andshe will take off right to it. If you dont keep up, she keeps coming back to encourageyou until you get right where she wants you then sits at that location until you find whatshe wants.
She responds to any number of voice commands which she has learned on her own. TheChihuahua does too, but she is getting along in years and prefers to ignore you if shesnot in the mood to get up from her nap. But, when she is up and alert, she has voiceactivated power steering as well.
The point of all this is that any number of jobs can be assigned to smart dogs and theirdesire to please you will provide you not only with a helper, but a very enjoyablecompanion as well. In fact, when my wife needs to be away, the house is far less lonelywith dogs as company.
One friend recently told me that he could prove without doubt that his dogs love himmore than his wife does. He said all he would have to do is lock both of them in thetrunk of the car for about an hour and then open it to see which one was glad to see him.
Thats one trick I wouldnt suggest, but heres one I will.
Valentines Day is coming up. Instead of or in addition to chocolates, flowers and adinner out, why not consider giving someone you love, something that will love themback?
Contact the Lexington Humane Society and this Valentines Day, dont just say I loveyou to your most significant other, Adopt Love, give love and share love. It just mightbe the smartest thing youve ever done, get you a pat on the head and make you a goodboy.
Human Societys web site: www.lexingtonhumanesociety.org and phone number: 859-233-0044
Marcus Carey is a Northern Kentucky lawyer with 32 years experience. He is also a farmer, talk radio host and public speaker who loves history and politics. He is a prolific and accomplished writer whose blog, BluegrassBulletin.com is dedicated to honest and respectful comment on the political and cultural issues of our time. He writes a daily commentary for KyForward.
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