9781422274996

INTRODUCTION

Any surface within reach of this Samoyed puppy is fair game in its constant drive to encounter new experiences and explore new realms. Samoyeds are known to have

a smile as part of their natural expression.

P uppies are endowed with those characteristics that— similarly with human babies—melt our hearts and evoke feelings of love, protection, and playfulness. It was probably these feelings that led to the first human associa- tion with young dogs. The human-dog relationship began at least 12,000 years ago, say experts, based on the discovery of a human skeleton with the bones of its hand resting on the remains of a wolflike crea- ture similar to those from which dogs have descended. We can surmise that initial encounters occurred when dogs’ wolflike ancestors were seen tracking prey, and human hunters decided to follow the animals and get in on their kill. Depending on the size of the canine pack, they then probably overpowered the pack and took the game for themselves or were able to target their own prey after the animal hunters marked the trail. As humans continued to follow the dogs, it’s likely they were led to a den where canine young were raised. And given the pups’ innocent faces, limited physical size, and willingness to accept a

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