They are industrious workers and beloved pets, helpful companions and highly paid entertainers. They have lived among humans for more than 10,000 years as the ultimate domesticated animal. Big Dogs, Little Dogs is an entertaining and illuminating look at the everything canine, from teacup poodles to massive mastiffs. Behavioral specialists reveal what Fido is really thinking about and explain some of the most peculiar doggy habits. Big Dogs, Little Dogs would be useful for classes on American Culture, Biology, Animal Science, and Ethics. It is appropriate for middle school and high school.

• Paleolithic
• ambivalence
• antiquity
• arduous
• artifacts
• aura
• cache
• conquistador
• coveted
• deity
• diminutive
• elongated
• empathize
• empathy
• emulate
• hybridization
• innate
• nuance
• pedigree
• physiology
• predator
• progenitor
• proverbial
• quantify
• quarry
• quintessential
• therapeutic
• thespian

1. Dogs are descended from wolves. What characteristics do dogs retain from their lupine ancestors?

2. How did humans and wolves first form a partnership that eventually became the bond between humans and canines?

3. How did dogs evolve from wolves?

4. Discuss the roles and jobs of the first domesticated dogs.

5. Discuss some of the differences between wolves and dogs.

6. Medical technology has aided many scientific fields besides medicine. How has medical technology aided in research about the past history of dogs?

7. Certain breeds of dogs have attracted royal patrons for hundreds of years. Discuss the relationship between some pure breed dogs and royalty. How have social and economic class structures applied to dogs as well as humans?

8. Discuss the role of dogs in the European conquest of the New World.

9. There are many different breeds of dogs that range from pocket-sized to very large. How are new breeds created? Why did different breeds evolve?

10. Discuss the role of dogs in wartime from World War II to the Vietnam War

11. How and why were dog shows created?

12. Discuss the political role of dogs. Why have so many presidents owned dogs?

13. What are some of the ways in which dogs benefits human beings and add to human life?

14. Why is a dog’s sense of smell so keen?

15. Why do dogs bark?

16. What are some of the jobs done by dogs?

17. Discuss how dogs are big business. Why do dog owners spend so much time and money on their canine pets?

1. Create a poster chart that illustrates some of the different breeds of dogs.

2. Write an essay about your best friend. If you do not have a dog, write an essay about a friend or relative’s dog.

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