Which ones would survive?
- Thread starter adojrts
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I found something interesting out this morning, apparently in some parts of Australia, the wild Dingoes are starting to have characteristics of the large boar dogs (mixes of irish wolfhound, mastiff and great dane). With larger game in Australia now than before bigger dogs are needed to bring them down. Dingoes and the pig dogs (whether they escaped, bred during the hunt, or bred while on their chains) create this wild dog mix that has the ability to take down larger prey. Since the pups would be born with already wild mothers, they grow up only knowing the way of the wild rather than having to make that first step of adapting.
I wonder how many of them end up dying because they catch and hold their large prey rather than catching and killing. Or maybe they never develop the catch and hold due to watching everyone else in the pack catch and kill? Perhaps the Dingo outweighs the pig dog? So many variables!
I wonder how many of them end up dying because they catch and hold their large prey rather than catching and killing. Or maybe they never develop the catch and hold due to watching everyone else in the pack catch and kill? Perhaps the Dingo outweighs the pig dog? So many variables!
Coat is an interesting thought. Dogs with high maintainance, straight coats would have a lot of trouble surviving IMO, but dogs like poodles would just cord like a komondor.
Border Collies rarely mat. I don't brush mine often and if they ever develop a mat, they're the first ones to notice and they pull it out by themselves. They actually have a pretty ideal coat type for survival in cool climates, though not in frigid or scorching weather.
I don't think it's just BCs that would be aimless without a human partner. A lot of breeds that were developed to work with people (Dogs like Labs, Dobes, most of the companion breeds) would be lost without us. In a few generations they'd adapt entirely, but I think the population of these breeds would greatly decrease before then.
I definitely think there will be the hunters and then there will be the scavengers. The dogs which lack the hunting skills (or the luck) will surely be able to scavenge for food.
Border Collies rarely mat. I don't brush mine often and if they ever develop a mat, they're the first ones to notice and they pull it out by themselves. They actually have a pretty ideal coat type for survival in cool climates, though not in frigid or scorching weather.
I don't think it's just BCs that would be aimless without a human partner. A lot of breeds that were developed to work with people (Dogs like Labs, Dobes, most of the companion breeds) would be lost without us. In a few generations they'd adapt entirely, but I think the population of these breeds would greatly decrease before then.
I definitely think there will be the hunters and then there will be the scavengers. The dogs which lack the hunting skills (or the luck) will surely be able to scavenge for food.
S
Why go work for your food and hunt when you can just stay in the city and eat garbage?
I think some dogs can survive. I also believe that MANY of them wouldnt have a chance. More dogs would die than survive. I think alot a mutts can survive just as long as they can hunt, kill, defend themselves, and adapt to the weather.
I think some dogs can survive. I also believe that MANY of them wouldnt have a chance. More dogs would die than survive. I think alot a mutts can survive just as long as they can hunt, kill, defend themselves, and adapt to the weather.
I think small dogs would have an easier time. My guys could live on a rabbit every few days or a a couple of mice. Wild animals tend to be very 'easy keepers' even though coyotes look fairly big (remember I have small dogs) they don't weigh much, and can live on insects, and rodents.
So Dekka would likely be able to feed herself. A mouse every other day would be enough. My guys do hunt, and eat, if I let them, what they catch in the way of rabbits rats and mice. (cats too) Dekka has excellent dog skills with dogs she knows, but is fear reactive in close quarters with new dogs. Not sure how that would work out. Kaiden would likely be just fine with out me. He has a lot of coat for a JRT, loves the cold. Has killed and eaten his own food, is very sensible about what he can take on, and what he can't, and has excellent dog skills.
So Dekka would likely be able to feed herself. A mouse every other day would be enough. My guys do hunt, and eat, if I let them, what they catch in the way of rabbits rats and mice. (cats too) Dekka has excellent dog skills with dogs she knows, but is fear reactive in close quarters with new dogs. Not sure how that would work out. Kaiden would likely be just fine with out me. He has a lot of coat for a JRT, loves the cold. Has killed and eaten his own food, is very sensible about what he can take on, and what he can't, and has excellent dog skills.
I disagree... to a point. Small dogs like JRTs would be in direct competition for food with Coyotes and even Foxes (2 species). Coyotes might even prey on them (certainly dogs less than 10lbs would be at risk, as cats are now)
Even if humans disappeared, wolves would be a long term future for most of the US. Deer populations would temporarily explode, as cars are their current top predator as they feed on lawns that will take 10 years to disappear entirely. The empty niche is Deer predator. This would favor larger, faster dogs. Besides the Deerhounds and staghounds, I think a dog like the German Pointer varieties could do it in a pack. They have been used on deer and boar in their history too, but are not so large that a rabbit could not hold them over for a while.
Even if humans disappeared, wolves would be a long term future for most of the US. Deer populations would temporarily explode, as cars are their current top predator as they feed on lawns that will take 10 years to disappear entirely. The empty niche is Deer predator. This would favor larger, faster dogs. Besides the Deerhounds and staghounds, I think a dog like the German Pointer varieties could do it in a pack. They have been used on deer and boar in their history too, but are not so large that a rabbit could not hold them over for a while.
If that is indeed the case then look to the primitive breeds. Breeds that have survived the tempestuous intervention of man. Dogs with documented pasts that go back thousands of years...Saluki, Akita, Husky, Malamute, Pharaoh Hound, Sloughi, Basenji.
Wolves and Coyotes notwithstanding due to the fact that they are NOT true dogs, though they are of the canine family. In Africa there are the Jackal and Wild Dogs to contend with as well.
If you do not take into account geographical needs, the dogs that will succeed will be the ones that can work cooperatively to maintain a territory, and hunt. There will be those that will work best in bonded pairs and small family groups though. And very few in number will be the singlets or orphans-which will probably all be males.
Wolves and Coyotes notwithstanding due to the fact that they are NOT true dogs, though they are of the canine family. In Africa there are the Jackal and Wild Dogs to contend with as well.
If you do not take into account geographical needs, the dogs that will succeed will be the ones that can work cooperatively to maintain a territory, and hunt. There will be those that will work best in bonded pairs and small family groups though. And very few in number will be the singlets or orphans-which will probably all be males.