Page 21 - Dog

Social hunters

The African hunting dog and other social hunters
not only have to provide enough meat for the family
group but they must also compete for food with, and
defend themselves against, other large predators,
like lions and hyenas. Human hunters
have always been the main
competitors of social hunters.
The wolf (pp. 22–23) has been
exterminated over
Two wolves fighting it out to see much of its vast range
which one will be the leader in Europe and Asia,
HOWLIN’ WOLVES
and the African Like its wolf ancestors, this
hunting dog and the dhole (pp. 26–27) are also pointer will howl if left on
near extinction. Only jackals and the coyote its own in an effort to
(pp. 24–25), being smaller and more adaptable, communicate with others
of its kind. Some dogs
continue to flourish. will also howl when
they hear certain kinds
Dalmatian’s of music or, if they are
head is slightly
TOP DOG kept outside, when
Although much turned away, the moon is full.
smaller than the showing fear
Dalmatian, this
Norfolk terrier
has the stronger
personality and
is showing that Norfolk terrier’s
he is top dog. positive stance
shows his
confidence
towards the
larger dog

Dalmatian

Norfolk terrier

FIGHTING FOR A BITE
At a kill, these African
hunting dogs will eat
vast quantities of meat,
which is later
regurgitated, or
vomited up, for their
young, or for other
members of the pack,
who will fight over the
half-digested morsels.

Pointer
DOGS’ SOCIAL CLUB
This caricature by
J. J. Granville,
published in Paris,
France, in 1859,
emphasizes the
similarity of dog
behavior
with that
of humans.

(c) 2011 Dorling Kindersley. All Rights Reserved.