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For many of us, dogs are our best friends. But have you ever wondered what would happen to your dog if we suddenly disappeared?Can a domestic dog be without one?
At least 80% of the world's roughly 1 billion dogs actually live independent, free-range lives – and they provide some clues. Who would our dog be if we weren't around to influence and care for them?
Dogs hold the title of the most successful domesticated species on the planet. They have evolved under our gaze for thousands of years. More recently, selective breeding has led to human-centered diversity, resulting in unique breeds ranging from towering Great Danes to small Chihuahuas.
The human quest for the perfect canine companion has led to more than 400 modern dog breeds with unique physical and behavioral traits. Initially, dogs were bred primarily for functional roles that were beneficial to us, such as herding, hunting, and guarding. This practice has only emerged in the last 200 years.
Some experts believe that companionship is just another type of work in which humans choose dogs, while placing more emphasis on appearance. Breeders play a crucial role in this, as they deliberately select which traits are desirable and thus influence the future direction of the breed.
We know that certain traits that attract people can have a serious impact on health and well-being. For example, flat-faced dogs have difficulty breathing due to narrowed nasal passages and shortened airways. This "air hunger" has been likened to an asthma attack. These dogs are also prone to higher**, eye and dental problems compared to dogs with longer muzzles.
Many modern dogs rely on medical intervention from humans to breed. For example, French Bulldogs and Chihuahuas often require a C-section to give birth because the puppies' heads are very large compared to the width of the mother's pelvis. This reliance on surgical breeding highlights the profound impact of intensive selective breeding on dogs.
While domestic dogs can benefit from being part of a human family, some dogs lead highly isolated and controlled lives, where they have little agency to choose – which is important for their well-being.
Now imagine a world in which dogs are freed from the guidance of human selection and care. The immediate impact will be obvious. Varieties that rely heavily on us for basic needs such as food, shelter, and health care won't do well. They will struggle to adapt, and many will succumb to the harsh reality of not having human support.
That said, this can affect less than 20% of dogs (about the percentage that lives in our homes). Most dogs in the world are free-range and are common in Europe, Africa, and Asia.
But while these dogs have not been domesticated in the traditional sense, they still coexist with humans. As a result, their survival is almost entirely dependent on man-made resources, such as dumps and food handouts. Without people, natural selection will quickly come into play. Dogs that lack basic survival traits such as adaptability, hunting skills, disease resistance, parental instinct, and sociability will gradually decline.
Very large or very small dogs can also be at a disadvantage because the size of the dog affects its caloric needs, thermoregulation across environments, and susceptibility to predators.
Limited behavioral strategies, such as being too shy to explore new areas, can also be harmful. Although neutered dogs may have favorable survival traits, they are unable to pass on their genes to their offspring.
Eventually, a different type of dog will emerge that is shaped by health and behavioral success rather than human desires.
Dogs don't choose mates based on breed, and if given the opportunity, they can easily mate with other people who look very different from them. Over time, different dog breeds will fade away, and unrestricted mating will result in a uniform "country dog" appearance, similar to the "camp dogs" of remote Australian Aboriginal communities and dogs in Southeast Asia.
These dogs are usually medium in size, balanced in size, short-haired in a variety of colors, and have erect ears and tails. However, regional differences may occur due to factors such as climate, such as furry coats.
In the long run, dogs will return to a wild lifestyle. These "rewilded" dogs may adopt similar social and eating behaviours to current wild dogs, such as the dingo in Australia.
This may include living in small family units within a given territory, reverting to the annual breeding season, participating in social hunting, and attentive parental care (especially from the father).
This transition is more feasible for some breeds, especially herding types and those that already live independently in the wild or as country dogs.
Jessica Pierce and Marc Bekoff in their A Dog World's world) in the book "Apocalyptic Preparation" with the idea that our dogs are preparing for a future where no one is present. They encourage us to give our dogs more power and thus more joy. This can be as simple as letting them choose which direction to go or letting them take their time while sniffing the trees.
As we think about a future without dogs, an important question arises: are our actions towards dogs sustainable, in their best interests, and true to their nature?Or are they more in line with our own desires?
By thinking about how dogs can live without us, perhaps we can find ways to improve their lives with us.