Dogs and More Dogs

Dogs are the most diverse form of mammal on earth, with more than 400 extant species, which is absolutely remarkable when you consider the fact that the domesticated dog dates back only some 10,000 years or so--a mere blink of the evolutionary eye. Narrated by John Lithgow, this engaging Nova episode asks a) how did the fierce wolf evolve into Dylan, our lazy Bernese Mountain dog (whose only chance of stopping a home intruder would be the rather remote possibility of death by drool), and b) why does Dylan look and act so differently from our skittish Golden Retriever Raney? Granted, the program did not refer to our dogs specifically, but they're a good illustration of the canine diversity that scientists are struggling to explain. How did the process even begin? Some interviewees argue that humans must have tamed wolves, but Hampshire College's Dr. Ray Coppinger vehemently disagrees, suggesting that a more likely scenario is that the wolf chose domestication, lured by the easy-picking leftovers in developing villages. But human/wolf friendship doesn't begin to account for non-wolf-like curly tails, patchy-color coats, or floppy ears. About this mystery, the scientists are a bit more vague, and their comments concerning changing adrenaline levels and regulatory DNA being contributing factors aren't entirely clear (even to the scientists themselves, as they readily admit). Still, with its wonderful parade of dogs, fascinating speculation, humorous animated examples, and solid computer graphics, Dogs and More Dogs is a fine, thought-provoking program, and the well-deserved swipes it takes at the eugenics-practicing breeders for dog shows makes it even a little catty. Recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (R. Pitman)