Dogs
What Happened to the Serengeti's Wild Dogs?
A new study definitively disproves a decades-old theory that human "handling" of the animals caused their rapid disappearance from Serengeti National Park in 1991.
Uncovering the Ancient Roots of Domesticated Dogs
A new study lends insight into how domestication of our four-legged companions was steered by interactions with humans and their cultural practices.
How Detection Dogs Help Wildlife Rangers Curb Crime in the Maasai Mara National Reserve
Specially trained canines, with their outsized capacity to sniff out even well-hidden people and objects, are helping rangers at several major reserves to do their jobs better.
How Breed Labels Penalize Pit Bulls
Losing breed labels in shelters may benefit the oft-stigmatized dogs.
The Culinary Potential of the Canine
Are we any closer to thinking clearly about dog meat?
How Barking Dogs Could Restore Marine Ecosystems
Basically, by scaring the crap out of raccoons (but really we should let the bears do that).
My Demons and My Dog and This Anxiety and That Noise
Anxiety is clearest when it’s loud—and most dangerous when it’s quiet.
Pets Help Us to Build Communities One Friend at a Time
Even indoor pets help us get to know other people, according to new research in four cities across the U.S. and Australia.
Man's Best—and Oldest—Friend
New research opens up the possibility that the bond between humans and dogs is much older than previously thought.
The Chemical Feedback Loop That Makes You Love Your Dog
It makes your canine love you too.
This Last of Meeting Places
Confronting our mortality with vague metaphors, religious glosses, and computer analogies.
The Leader of the Pack
Stories about athletes with flawed character are endless, but what about those who exceed our expectations?
Do You and Your Dog Need Couples Counseling?
Humans may not be the only ones with attachment disorders.
The Beethoven Effect: Movies Drive Our Preference for Different Dog Breeds
Recent research compared American Kennel Club registrations with the release date of 100 movies that have prominent dog characters.
Do Dogs Understand When a Soldier Comes Home?
The animal science behind your favorite heartwarming YouTube phenomenon.
What Do People Look for When Adopting a Dog?
A study of over 2,000 shelter animals investigates, with some surprising results, the physical and behavioral characteristics that help dogs find new homes.
What Does a Typical Animal Hoarder Look Like?
A new study involving more than 1,200 animals attempts to establish a profile of people who have so many pets that they're unable to care for them properly.
Can Animal-Assisted Therapy Be Used to Help At-Risk Boys?
If existing behavioral programs aren’t working, can therapeutic sessions with a dog help kids who have problems at school?
Bringing a Therapy Dog Into a Children's Hospital Might Be a Bad Idea
Despite the popularity of animal therapy in American pediatric hospitals, a new research review reveals that there's little support for its health benefits.
Who Loves His Master? Brain Scans Provide Clues to a Dog's Inner Life
New research suggests a region of a canine brain that is associated with rewards is uniquely activated by the scent of a familiar human.
The Wolves in Our Dogs
Observations from a day spent watching the “8 Mile” pack in Yellowstone with crowds of tourists from an environmental scientist who should know better.
The Tragedy of America's Dog: The Vilification of the Pit Bull
A brief history of the vilification of the pit bull.
A Tale of 2 Dog Shows: Inside the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show
What America’s most prestigious dog show tells us about our relationship with our canine companions.