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Our Dogs, Ourselves: The Story of a Singular Bond
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Inside of a Dog, an eye-opening, informative, “entertaining, and enlightening” (BookPage) celebration of the human-canine relationship for the curious dog owner and science-lover alike.
We keep dogs and are kept by them. We love dogs and (we assume) we are loved by them. We buy them sweaters, toys, shoes; we are concerned with their social lives, their food, and their health. The story of humans and dogs is thousands of years old but is far from understood. In Our Dogs, Ourselves, Alexandra Horowitz explores all aspects of this unique and complex relationship that “dog lovers will savor and absorb” (Shelf Awareness).
As Horowitz considers the current culture of dogdom, she reveals the odd, surprising, and contradictory ways we live with dogs. We celebrate their individuality but breed them for sameness. Despite our deep emotional relationships with dogs, legally they are property to be bought, sold, abandoned, or euthanized as we wish. Even the way we speak to our dogs is at once perplexing and delightful.
In thirteen thoughtful and charming chapters, Our Dogs, Ourselves affirms our profound affection for this most charismatic of animals—and makes us “see canine companions in new ways” (Science News).
We keep dogs and are kept by them. We love dogs and (we assume) we are loved by them. We buy them sweaters, toys, shoes; we are concerned with their social lives, their food, and their health. The story of humans and dogs is thousands of years old but is far from understood. In Our Dogs, Ourselves, Alexandra Horowitz explores all aspects of this unique and complex relationship that “dog lovers will savor and absorb” (Shelf Awareness).
As Horowitz considers the current culture of dogdom, she reveals the odd, surprising, and contradictory ways we live with dogs. We celebrate their individuality but breed them for sameness. Despite our deep emotional relationships with dogs, legally they are property to be bought, sold, abandoned, or euthanized as we wish. Even the way we speak to our dogs is at once perplexing and delightful.
In thirteen thoughtful and charming chapters, Our Dogs, Ourselves affirms our profound affection for this most charismatic of animals—and makes us “see canine companions in new ways” (Science News).
336 pages, Paperback
First published September 3, 2019
About the author
Alexandra Horowitz
19 books471 followersAlexandra Horowitz is an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at Barnard College in New York, where she teaches courses on psychology and animal behavior. She is the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller “Inside of a Dog: What Dogs See, Smell, and Know.” Her studies on dogs have explored their ‘guilty look,’ sense of fairness, play signaling, and olfactory abilities, among other topics. She received her M.S. and Ph.D. in Cognitive Science from the University of California, San Diego, and a B.A. in Philosophy from the University of Pennsylvania.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 189 reviews
October 6, 2019
I wanted to love this book but.....wow. It was at best poorly researched (which is shocking from someone who studies dogs for a living) and at worst misguided and biased. my biggest critique was the way that the author spent most of the book playing fast and loose with what facts she wanted to engage with and what she didn't: using very biased sources to critique responsible/purposeful breeders without ever talking to....anyone involved in preservation/stewardship of breeds but acting like the AKC is the boogieman? no thank you. obsessing (because tragically her cat died while being spayed) about the idea that dogs shouldn't be altered ---- and how many countries in western europe don't, but then also failing to actively engage with the number of dogs in those countries who are purebred (minus one throwaway line about how everone in sweeden with a GSD is involved in the breed club), the anti-breed laws and the ways in which in many counties dogs with "issues" are simply euthanized in those countries because there is no leniency around behavior. i am 100% supportive of rescue, just as i am 100% supportive of responsible breeding - these dogs shouldn't be pitted against each other, most of us involved in the purebred dog world also share our homes with rescue dogs mixed breed (in my case) and purebred ---and spend CONSIDERABLE time/money/effort/energy rehabilitating these dogs, supporting rescue efforts etc. this book could have benefited from a LOT more nuance, and quite frankly a lot more research and involvement with people who have more dog experience than the author who might be a cognition expert, but has a very limited scope of experience/understanding about the diversity of dogs, dog training, dog sports, dog breeding etc.
October 13, 2019
A sort of stream-of-consciousness rumination on the status of the relationship between people and their dogs, this book weaves back and forth though history, sniffing up anything that hints at support for the idea that dogs are people, possibly citizens, who now deserve a lot more legal recognition as individuals. Strangely lacking in both scientific pith and “warm fuzzies”, it was hard to get into. In addition, because it focuses mainly on city dwelling Americans and their dogs, I found it had limited relevance to my own suburban Australian doggy experiences. Not a patch on the author’s earlier book, Inside of a Dog: What Dogs See, Smell, and Know.
September 5, 2019
“Our Dogs, Ourselves” by Alexandra Horowitz, published by Scribner.
Category – Animals (Dogs) - Publication Date – September 03, 2019.
The question comes up, do we keep dogs or do they keep us? Although this book does not answer the question it certainly provides information that would support either supposition.
We breed them for their sameness but also bring them home and expect their individuality. Alexandra studies dogs and finds that you must not find yourself liking a dog (which is almost impossible to do) or you will taint the experiment.
She explores all the good that comes from owning a dog. This can be anything from just companionship to all out love. How it is possible for a dog to sense your mood and attempt to change it, for the better. A dog is also able to sense your mental and medical help and attempt to provide assistance in those areas.
The book goes on to explore the inhumanity of puppy farms and other misuses of the dogs in our lives.
More importantly Alexandra looks into the bond between man and dog. She finds it a bond that is hard to explain as the relationship between man and dog seems to have to bounds in their relationship with each other.
A book that will be enjoyed by dog lovers but also those who wish they had a dog, and may have one after reading this book.
Category – Animals (Dogs) - Publication Date – September 03, 2019.
The question comes up, do we keep dogs or do they keep us? Although this book does not answer the question it certainly provides information that would support either supposition.
We breed them for their sameness but also bring them home and expect their individuality. Alexandra studies dogs and finds that you must not find yourself liking a dog (which is almost impossible to do) or you will taint the experiment.
She explores all the good that comes from owning a dog. This can be anything from just companionship to all out love. How it is possible for a dog to sense your mood and attempt to change it, for the better. A dog is also able to sense your mental and medical help and attempt to provide assistance in those areas.
The book goes on to explore the inhumanity of puppy farms and other misuses of the dogs in our lives.
More importantly Alexandra looks into the bond between man and dog. She finds it a bond that is hard to explain as the relationship between man and dog seems to have to bounds in their relationship with each other.
A book that will be enjoyed by dog lovers but also those who wish they had a dog, and may have one after reading this book.
November 10, 2019
To say I found this book disappointing might be among the biggest understatements ever uttered. I really enjoyed Horowitz's book Inside of a Dog, and I expected to find this book interesting and fun as I did that one. Not so. Not so at all. Aside from the fact that this book doesn't really cover what it says...I expected to be reading about the dog-human bond, not all the random things that Horowitz has decided is problematic about how we think about our dogs. Which by the way, she explains in a manner than ricochets between condescending and patronizing to downright insulting with very brief interludes of humorous tidbits through in...the humorous tidbits don't really have anything to do with the subject at hand, but hey, let Horowitz have her moment. Based on her book here, I think she might honestly believe she's the only person on earth capable of "really seeing" her dog. I found it frustrating that rather than really look at the issue I believed the book was about or actually examine all sides of various issues discussed, it seemed to me that Horowitz was playing fast and loose with the facts and purposely inserting opinion as fact. Not to say that there wasn't an interesting tid bit here and there, but generally it's a treatise on how awful people are to their dogs with gross generalizations and in some cases, skewed evidence. I don't see myself purchasing another book from this author, which is really too bad because she is capable of good work. But this book certainly isn't it.
December 11, 2020
I'm a rescue worker and this book ended up pissing me off to no end. The behavior and psychology info was fine, but the author is completely naive if she thinks we're anywhere near a situation that would allow us to reconsider current spay/neuter practices. In a perfect world, maybe sterilization could happen at six or twelve months instead of eight weeks, but we are far from a perfect world. I sympathize with the fact that her cat died while at a spay appointment - not from the procedure, mind you, which only carries a 0.1% mortality rate - but during the administration of pre-surgical pain medication, which could have been from any number of reasons, including unknown health issues or an error on the administering vet/tech's part. That experience cannot be the basis for a blanket opposition to spay/neuter. Animal overpopulation must be handled in one way or another, and currently there are two ways: spay/neuter programs, or mass euthanasia. I know which one I prefer.
September 27, 2019
Horowitz's essay on spaying and neutering in the NY Times is what led me to pick up the book. That piece received much criticism, not surprisingly, from advocates of spay-neuter programs, but it fits in to the larger theme of this book—that we should let dogs be dogs. As we have turned them into beloved pets and members of our family, we have often suppressed their animal instincts, not appreciating their interest in humping legs or rolling in dirt. Removing their sexual organs is, of course, an extreme example of how we suppress their animal instincts.
This book is mostly not about dogs and instead about our relationship with the species, and especially how that has developed in the last century or so. For many readers, much of Horowitz's book will be familiar. The dreadful realities of dog-breeding, and especially the focus on pure bred dogs encouraged by kennel clubs, were not new to me, though she presents the case against the practice powerfully.
The book's voice alternates between a straight-forward journalistic approach and a chatty first-person tone which I found somewhat odd. In the end, though, the book has changed how I am engaging with my min pin and trying to think about how I can help her truly explore her dog nature and not turn her into a well-behaved accessory.
This book is mostly not about dogs and instead about our relationship with the species, and especially how that has developed in the last century or so. For many readers, much of Horowitz's book will be familiar. The dreadful realities of dog-breeding, and especially the focus on pure bred dogs encouraged by kennel clubs, were not new to me, though she presents the case against the practice powerfully.
The book's voice alternates between a straight-forward journalistic approach and a chatty first-person tone which I found somewhat odd. In the end, though, the book has changed how I am engaging with my min pin and trying to think about how I can help her truly explore her dog nature and not turn her into a well-behaved accessory.
June 1, 2021
I am surprised that the reader reviews for this book are not better. Perhaps readers familiar with Horowitz's previous books came to this one with an expectation that it would be focused on her research as the others were. Our Dogs, Ourselves is a much more personal work. The chapters stand as indivdual essays about the history and current state of relationships between dogs and humans. The author's dogs are frequently referenced and written about fondly, making this book part memoir.
Our Dogs, Ourselves is not an easy read as some chapters focus on heart-wrenching subjects such as experimentation on dogs and genetic problems progogated by breeding for physical appearance. The chapter questioning the ethics of spaying and neutering is sure to spark controversy, but the discussion started is one worth having. Fortunately, not all the topics are heavy, and the book is loosely organized to alternate between light and serious topics. I particularly enjoyed the chapter about people talking to their dogs.
Readers looking for a more science based book should turn to the author's previous two works, but people interested in a more anthropological take on the bonds between dogs and humans should enjoy this.
Our Dogs, Ourselves is not an easy read as some chapters focus on heart-wrenching subjects such as experimentation on dogs and genetic problems progogated by breeding for physical appearance. The chapter questioning the ethics of spaying and neutering is sure to spark controversy, but the discussion started is one worth having. Fortunately, not all the topics are heavy, and the book is loosely organized to alternate between light and serious topics. I particularly enjoyed the chapter about people talking to their dogs.
Readers looking for a more science based book should turn to the author's previous two works, but people interested in a more anthropological take on the bonds between dogs and humans should enjoy this.
September 27, 2019
Just looking at the front cover made me think, “ohhhh I have to read this”. On several occasions while reading it, I looked at my dog and thought about what the author was writing and how it applies to my dog and I. For many years I have shared my life with dogs so I found this to be a really insightful read.
October 23, 2024
Surprisingly uneven given Horowitz’s field of research (the breed chapter in particular needed another round with a fact-checker), but with some good bits.
Her “Inside of a Dog” is definitely a superior book.
Her “Inside of a Dog” is definitely a superior book.
December 1, 2020
I love Alexandra Horowitz even more with every book of hers that I read.
At times this book is very hard to read (or listen to on audiobook, like I did) — hearing of all the illnesses that result from inbreeding for purebred pups, for example, or how dogs are treated in most scientific labs. However, those parts, especially the one about breeding, were def the most memorable, and entirely convincing (pushing me beyond my original “adopt don’t shop” to a general idea that maybe breeding dogs should be illegal??). The parts about famous scientific studies to do with dogs were harrowing, but so good to know (Pavlov especially was a monster — I had no idea). I’m also now like 90% convinced that most dogs don’t need to be spayed or neutered, based on her chapter about that.
And she makes sure to sandwich the rough ones between entirely delightful and funny ones, often lists that are just *chef’s kiss*.
Either way, though, Alexandra Horowitz’s writing is *so good*. It doesn’t need to be nearly as good as it is — the material is interesting on its own! But every sentence I think, “damn.” Even if it’s, “damn, that’s cute.”
TW: animal death, animal cruelty
At times this book is very hard to read (or listen to on audiobook, like I did) — hearing of all the illnesses that result from inbreeding for purebred pups, for example, or how dogs are treated in most scientific labs. However, those parts, especially the one about breeding, were def the most memorable, and entirely convincing (pushing me beyond my original “adopt don’t shop” to a general idea that maybe breeding dogs should be illegal??). The parts about famous scientific studies to do with dogs were harrowing, but so good to know (Pavlov especially was a monster — I had no idea). I’m also now like 90% convinced that most dogs don’t need to be spayed or neutered, based on her chapter about that.
And she makes sure to sandwich the rough ones between entirely delightful and funny ones, often lists that are just *chef’s kiss*.
Either way, though, Alexandra Horowitz’s writing is *so good*. It doesn’t need to be nearly as good as it is — the material is interesting on its own! But every sentence I think, “damn.” Even if it’s, “damn, that’s cute.”
TW: animal death, animal cruelty
November 5, 2019
I enjoyed the focus on my favorite animal in this book even though I don't agree with the author on a few things like the idea that altering dogs is bad.
May 31, 2021
This is a long one! Sorry...
I bought this book on whim since I've always been interested in dogs and spent most of my life with them. I picked it up recently because of the section about purebred dogs which I will discuss later on. I may have underestimated this book having read some reviews, mostly negative, I admit that I had a sour attitude going into this book from the start. So let me explain myself.
"Our Dogs, Ourselves: How we live with Dogs Now" goes into detail about how we treated our dogs in the past, how we treat our dogs now (obviously) and how we should treat our dogs in the future. She discusses the topic in a stream of consciousness type way, exploring how we are negligent towards non-human animals in general. We have usually been poor even towards our dogs, who we have decided as a society that deserves our love more then other animals like pigs. Who have the same intellect as dogs and are viewed as food and nothing more.
This is one point that Alexandra Horowitz examines in her book that I agree with. We do need to re-think the way we treat animals in our society and maybe give them credit where credit is due. I also agree with her on the "Humorless" chapter, now knowing what I know about dogs, I do not find people interrogating their dogs and saying they feel "Guilty" when the dog crouches or looks away. Or thinking that the "cute" video of somebody's child hugging their dog while the dog is whale-eyed and stiff is funny.
The chapter about "Sex" and the author's stance on spaying and neutering was interesting, and I do agree that dogs should be allowed to be dogs. That humping isn't always a sign of "Sexual interest" and how people are always embarrassed by this when their dogs perform this act really shouldn't be. But I also think, that maybe she needs to spend time at a doggie daycare, where one unneutered male can upset the balance of a room full of dogs. Yes, looking at research papers can be informative, but nothing beats trying to stop a 100 pound labrador retriever as he barrels through you to mark, hump and piss on everything and everyone. I do think that the policy in North America about spaying and neutering needs to stay put, since I feel that Alexandra Horowitz has too high of expectations of people. Most people are pretty irresponsible when it comes to their dogs so simply "Watch your dog" doesn't always work. Not all of us live in a fancy apartment in NYC with no back doors. Sure, you can say it's for the convivence of the owner, but at the same time accidents happen. Nowadays, breeders, usually tell their new puppy owners to wait until a year to spay or neuter their purebreds for health reasons, like I had to wait with my own. I understand the shelters stance on this since dogs are piling up due to neglectful people being willy-nilly with their pets.
Now this is where my bad attitude originated from with this book. A little detail about me, I like purebred dogs. I like the history of how they became, I like to know that my dog has been tested for genetic problems and I also enjoy being able to meet others of my new puppy's family. I know going to a responsible breeder I am getting a socialized, well-rounded pup. Reading this, you may think I am biased and against adopting, you'd be wrong. I am all for adopting, if the person who is adopting knows what they're doing...which brings me to my next point.
The author writes many false claims that just irked me the wrong way one of these things was the fact that you could just get a purebred dog "on a Saturday from a cutesy kennel", uh no. This is not true. For my own purebred dogs, I had multiple interviews from both breeders. Emails, phone calls and in person interviews before I was allowed to take my dogs home. Also if this person is going through a responsible breeder, usually there is a waiting list, sometimes up to 2 years to get a puppy from their kennel. This claim could also be made for mixed breed dogs as well...Kijiji or Craigslist is just a click away where you can find any dog you're looking for. So not sure what her point was here.
The behavior problems that the author claims that the sweet looking mongrel doesn't have is also false, and that she is against the Kennel clubs warning potential dog owners about this. I disagree. This claim can be refuted by simply going and looking at the adoptable dogs on any rescue, or humane society website. Most of these dogs CANNOT go home with owners who have children under the age of 10 or 12, cannot be with other animals, especially small ones like cats or small dogs, most dogs cannot go to a home with another dog for they are dog aggressive, or has to have another "Confident", "older" dog in the home on whom they can rely. Behavioral issues, like excitability and separation anxiety if not treated properly by people who are knowledgeable can very quickly turn into aggression, which in these problems on its own, can also lead the dog being returned to the shelter or being rehomed privately. Not to mention these aren't quick fixes. She also declares that purebred dogs are "unicorns" stated by the British Kennel Club, that they need no maintenance and are perfect. This is untrue. No breeder is going to give a malinois to a person who lives in an apartment building and never goes outside. Kennel club websites talk extensively about how not all breeds are for everyone, and insist you do well needed research before you decide on a breed. Another thing she mentions is the BSL about pitbulls being bite hazards, but also saying that "pitbulls" are not just purebreds. The BSL states that any dog looking "Pitbull" is deemed dangerous, which I'm guessing goes for her perfect mutts as well. Also in a study, mutts hold 2nd place for highest percentages of dog bites, only to be out done by Pitbulls, which like I stated above is dubious to say the least. Behavioral problems do exist in shelter dogs, it's dumb to say otherwise.
This next point, however, I do agree with. We need to examine at how we're breeding purebred dogs. She claims the standards for purebreds perpetuates unhealthiness in dogs, but if you read them, like the GSD for example, speaks against excessive angulation, and roaching . These problems need to change within the show ring for the judges decide what is the "up and up" and its the winners (usually) that get more breeding opportunities. For pugs, bulldogs, Frenchies and other breeds that have become a welfare concern, should we let their lines die out? I don't know. This can go to the people who are more knowledgeable than me about this topic. Given all this, a lot of breeders are trying to do everything in their power to change some of the genetic problems that come with purebred dogs with health tests like OFA making sure that heritable health problems like hip dysplasia and others are checked before the dog is bred also trying to widen the gene pools. And just to add just because it's purebred, doesn't mean it's well-bred.
Another thing that kind of irritated me, she says that purebred dogs are lacking individuality. I have two bull terriers, and their personalities are so different you wouldn't guess they were the same breed. I just find it moronic that she thinks only mixed breed dogs can be "individuals". Mutts aren't "special snowflakes", stop romanticizing them. This whole chapter made her sound like a ranting fur mommy.
In conclusion, I think this was a fairly interesting book about dogs and how our dogs shape us and our impact on them. The book wasn't some thoughtless dribble that some of the reviews made me assume it was and it also made me think about things I never would've thought of before. Though the chapter on purebreds could use a little work. If this sounds interesting to you, give it a read.
I bought this book on whim since I've always been interested in dogs and spent most of my life with them. I picked it up recently because of the section about purebred dogs which I will discuss later on. I may have underestimated this book having read some reviews, mostly negative, I admit that I had a sour attitude going into this book from the start. So let me explain myself.
"Our Dogs, Ourselves: How we live with Dogs Now" goes into detail about how we treated our dogs in the past, how we treat our dogs now (obviously) and how we should treat our dogs in the future. She discusses the topic in a stream of consciousness type way, exploring how we are negligent towards non-human animals in general. We have usually been poor even towards our dogs, who we have decided as a society that deserves our love more then other animals like pigs. Who have the same intellect as dogs and are viewed as food and nothing more.
This is one point that Alexandra Horowitz examines in her book that I agree with. We do need to re-think the way we treat animals in our society and maybe give them credit where credit is due. I also agree with her on the "Humorless" chapter, now knowing what I know about dogs, I do not find people interrogating their dogs and saying they feel "Guilty" when the dog crouches or looks away. Or thinking that the "cute" video of somebody's child hugging their dog while the dog is whale-eyed and stiff is funny.
The chapter about "Sex" and the author's stance on spaying and neutering was interesting, and I do agree that dogs should be allowed to be dogs. That humping isn't always a sign of "Sexual interest" and how people are always embarrassed by this when their dogs perform this act really shouldn't be. But I also think, that maybe she needs to spend time at a doggie daycare, where one unneutered male can upset the balance of a room full of dogs. Yes, looking at research papers can be informative, but nothing beats trying to stop a 100 pound labrador retriever as he barrels through you to mark, hump and piss on everything and everyone. I do think that the policy in North America about spaying and neutering needs to stay put, since I feel that Alexandra Horowitz has too high of expectations of people. Most people are pretty irresponsible when it comes to their dogs so simply "Watch your dog" doesn't always work. Not all of us live in a fancy apartment in NYC with no back doors. Sure, you can say it's for the convivence of the owner, but at the same time accidents happen. Nowadays, breeders, usually tell their new puppy owners to wait until a year to spay or neuter their purebreds for health reasons, like I had to wait with my own. I understand the shelters stance on this since dogs are piling up due to neglectful people being willy-nilly with their pets.
Now this is where my bad attitude originated from with this book. A little detail about me, I like purebred dogs. I like the history of how they became, I like to know that my dog has been tested for genetic problems and I also enjoy being able to meet others of my new puppy's family. I know going to a responsible breeder I am getting a socialized, well-rounded pup. Reading this, you may think I am biased and against adopting, you'd be wrong. I am all for adopting, if the person who is adopting knows what they're doing...which brings me to my next point.
The author writes many false claims that just irked me the wrong way one of these things was the fact that you could just get a purebred dog "on a Saturday from a cutesy kennel", uh no. This is not true. For my own purebred dogs, I had multiple interviews from both breeders. Emails, phone calls and in person interviews before I was allowed to take my dogs home. Also if this person is going through a responsible breeder, usually there is a waiting list, sometimes up to 2 years to get a puppy from their kennel. This claim could also be made for mixed breed dogs as well...Kijiji or Craigslist is just a click away where you can find any dog you're looking for. So not sure what her point was here.
The behavior problems that the author claims that the sweet looking mongrel doesn't have is also false, and that she is against the Kennel clubs warning potential dog owners about this. I disagree. This claim can be refuted by simply going and looking at the adoptable dogs on any rescue, or humane society website. Most of these dogs CANNOT go home with owners who have children under the age of 10 or 12, cannot be with other animals, especially small ones like cats or small dogs, most dogs cannot go to a home with another dog for they are dog aggressive, or has to have another "Confident", "older" dog in the home on whom they can rely. Behavioral issues, like excitability and separation anxiety if not treated properly by people who are knowledgeable can very quickly turn into aggression, which in these problems on its own, can also lead the dog being returned to the shelter or being rehomed privately. Not to mention these aren't quick fixes. She also declares that purebred dogs are "unicorns" stated by the British Kennel Club, that they need no maintenance and are perfect. This is untrue. No breeder is going to give a malinois to a person who lives in an apartment building and never goes outside. Kennel club websites talk extensively about how not all breeds are for everyone, and insist you do well needed research before you decide on a breed. Another thing she mentions is the BSL about pitbulls being bite hazards, but also saying that "pitbulls" are not just purebreds. The BSL states that any dog looking "Pitbull" is deemed dangerous, which I'm guessing goes for her perfect mutts as well. Also in a study, mutts hold 2nd place for highest percentages of dog bites, only to be out done by Pitbulls, which like I stated above is dubious to say the least. Behavioral problems do exist in shelter dogs, it's dumb to say otherwise.
This next point, however, I do agree with. We need to examine at how we're breeding purebred dogs. She claims the standards for purebreds perpetuates unhealthiness in dogs, but if you read them, like the GSD for example, speaks against excessive angulation, and roaching . These problems need to change within the show ring for the judges decide what is the "up and up" and its the winners (usually) that get more breeding opportunities. For pugs, bulldogs, Frenchies and other breeds that have become a welfare concern, should we let their lines die out? I don't know. This can go to the people who are more knowledgeable than me about this topic. Given all this, a lot of breeders are trying to do everything in their power to change some of the genetic problems that come with purebred dogs with health tests like OFA making sure that heritable health problems like hip dysplasia and others are checked before the dog is bred also trying to widen the gene pools. And just to add just because it's purebred, doesn't mean it's well-bred.
Another thing that kind of irritated me, she says that purebred dogs are lacking individuality. I have two bull terriers, and their personalities are so different you wouldn't guess they were the same breed. I just find it moronic that she thinks only mixed breed dogs can be "individuals". Mutts aren't "special snowflakes", stop romanticizing them. This whole chapter made her sound like a ranting fur mommy.
In conclusion, I think this was a fairly interesting book about dogs and how our dogs shape us and our impact on them. The book wasn't some thoughtless dribble that some of the reviews made me assume it was and it also made me think about things I never would've thought of before. Though the chapter on purebreds could use a little work. If this sounds interesting to you, give it a read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 26, 2019
Alexandra Horowitz has written quite a lot about how dogs experience the world. In Inside of a Dog she explored and illuminated how dogs think. In Being a Dog, Horowitz addressed the dog’s experience of the world through their olfactory sense. In her latest title she looks at both ends of the “human-dog bond” to explore every aspect of our relationship with dogs including the uncomfortable contradictions inherent in the modern concept of “dog ownership.” Philosophy, history, ethics and biology are all investigated to show how humans see ourselves in our dogs without, perhaps, fully understanding or honoring their animalness.
I feel privileged to have the opportunity to read this book ahead of its publication thanks to the digital ARC I received in exchange for a straight-forward review. There is a *good* reason that Horowitz is one of my very favorite dog writers. Her blend of earnest, conversational prose, well-documented science, and delightful humor just *works* for her chosen subject matter. After all, any book about dogs--especially one about our relationship with them--ought to be laced with the pure joy and delight that we get from our canine companions. I found myself laughing out loud at Horowitz’s wry commentary on the things people say to their dogs. After several months of observation, the author presents us with a number of categories into which most human-to-dog speech falls. I’ll admit I am definitely in the “Mom commentary on behavior” category-- “...Eyes fixed on the dog, she sees everything. And she’s gotta talk about it.”
Though there are moments of joy and humor throughout the book, Horowitz also presents us with a hard look at dogdom’s current state of affairs. She explores the history of the dog’s legal status as property, the philosophical arguments surrounding non-human personhood and the way forward for a society which claims pets as members of the family, but which legally treats them as property no different than a chair. She examines the history of “purebred” dogs and questions whether humans, who have created breeds with debilitating health problems, really have dogs’ best interests at heart. She asks questions which are uncomfortable, but necessary: Why do we keep dogs? Should we keep dogs? How can we move toward a model of responsible pet ownership which places the dignity, preference and desires of the dog above our own convenience?
Our Dogs Ourselves feels like the natural sequel to Inside of a Dog. In the first title Horowitz opened the reader’s eyes to a worldview from inside a dog’s head. In this new book she urges us to build on that new understanding and try to give our dogs the lives they deserve. Let them be dogs. Let them be animals. Resist the urge to project our humanness onto them. Let them sniff, run, roll, hump, explore...let them do all the things that makes them so gloriously doggy.
I will recommend this book to all my friends from the dog world. And I’d recommend it to you, whether you’re a dog lover, owner, guardian, mom, dad, friend, or roommate.
I feel privileged to have the opportunity to read this book ahead of its publication thanks to the digital ARC I received in exchange for a straight-forward review. There is a *good* reason that Horowitz is one of my very favorite dog writers. Her blend of earnest, conversational prose, well-documented science, and delightful humor just *works* for her chosen subject matter. After all, any book about dogs--especially one about our relationship with them--ought to be laced with the pure joy and delight that we get from our canine companions. I found myself laughing out loud at Horowitz’s wry commentary on the things people say to their dogs. After several months of observation, the author presents us with a number of categories into which most human-to-dog speech falls. I’ll admit I am definitely in the “Mom commentary on behavior” category-- “...Eyes fixed on the dog, she sees everything. And she’s gotta talk about it.”
Though there are moments of joy and humor throughout the book, Horowitz also presents us with a hard look at dogdom’s current state of affairs. She explores the history of the dog’s legal status as property, the philosophical arguments surrounding non-human personhood and the way forward for a society which claims pets as members of the family, but which legally treats them as property no different than a chair. She examines the history of “purebred” dogs and questions whether humans, who have created breeds with debilitating health problems, really have dogs’ best interests at heart. She asks questions which are uncomfortable, but necessary: Why do we keep dogs? Should we keep dogs? How can we move toward a model of responsible pet ownership which places the dignity, preference and desires of the dog above our own convenience?
Our Dogs Ourselves feels like the natural sequel to Inside of a Dog. In the first title Horowitz opened the reader’s eyes to a worldview from inside a dog’s head. In this new book she urges us to build on that new understanding and try to give our dogs the lives they deserve. Let them be dogs. Let them be animals. Resist the urge to project our humanness onto them. Let them sniff, run, roll, hump, explore...let them do all the things that makes them so gloriously doggy.
I will recommend this book to all my friends from the dog world. And I’d recommend it to you, whether you’re a dog lover, owner, guardian, mom, dad, friend, or roommate.
December 2, 2019
Horowitz is a respected researcher in dog cognition, and has published other good, readable books on what we know about how dogs learn, think, and maybe even feel. This one focuses more on how we humans relate to dogs, and how they relate to us - the human-dog bond. It's a bit less scientific, a bit less scholarly, with lots of stories about her own beloved dogs.
There is a depressing account of how the law has regarded dogs through history: as property, not individuals, or even sentient beings, and while this is changing a little in some places, they are still deemed equivalent to butterknives in some divorce courts. The chapter on how we converse aloud with our dogs is charming and funny, with the light it sheds on how we see them: as children? friends? lovers? peers? royalty? Other chapters are less successful, such as the data-driven description of her professional work (she's not quite as witty as she thinks she is).
Where I struggled the most is with her takedown of all purebred dogs (as the devoted guardian to a border collie/Lab mix AND a healthy, sound, wonderful purebred Italian greyhound). While I am in complete agreement about the terrible, extreme deformities humans have inflicted on dogs in the name of fashion (flat-faced dogs that cannot breathe or give birth normally, giant dogs who are dead by the age of 8 because their bodies simply cannot sustain their own weight, dogs whose ears are bloodily cut to look perky and sharp), I know breeders who scrupulously research health issues, breed for soundness, health and sanity, and then only rarely, support rescue, and provide us with true types of dogs to fit our lives and loves and admiration. I don't want those dogs to all disappear. She also casts often-justified doubt on the near-universal practice of spay/neuter - too much, too early, and with health implications that should be considered (hormone levels can influence bone strength, vulnerability to some cancers in some breeds, etc.). She is rather harsh on the shelters and vets who push for widespread spay/neuter, blaming them for self-interest in money and convenience, which does not seem fair. They want there to be fewer unwanted dogs, and this is one way to get there. Other ways: better behavior by pet OWNERS, better education, or alternative surgical techniques should also be in the mix, which she suggests and encourages. Still, her rather blanket disparagement of spay/neuter as a violation of a dog's right to live a full life as a dog seems a bit extreme.
Dog people will find this book amusing, interesting, and possibly annoying - or not. Not bad, but not her best. However, if anyone knows where I can find the 19th-century knitting patterns she mentions for Italian greyhound sweaters, I'd love to see them.
There is a depressing account of how the law has regarded dogs through history: as property, not individuals, or even sentient beings, and while this is changing a little in some places, they are still deemed equivalent to butterknives in some divorce courts. The chapter on how we converse aloud with our dogs is charming and funny, with the light it sheds on how we see them: as children? friends? lovers? peers? royalty? Other chapters are less successful, such as the data-driven description of her professional work (she's not quite as witty as she thinks she is).
Where I struggled the most is with her takedown of all purebred dogs (as the devoted guardian to a border collie/Lab mix AND a healthy, sound, wonderful purebred Italian greyhound). While I am in complete agreement about the terrible, extreme deformities humans have inflicted on dogs in the name of fashion (flat-faced dogs that cannot breathe or give birth normally, giant dogs who are dead by the age of 8 because their bodies simply cannot sustain their own weight, dogs whose ears are bloodily cut to look perky and sharp), I know breeders who scrupulously research health issues, breed for soundness, health and sanity, and then only rarely, support rescue, and provide us with true types of dogs to fit our lives and loves and admiration. I don't want those dogs to all disappear. She also casts often-justified doubt on the near-universal practice of spay/neuter - too much, too early, and with health implications that should be considered (hormone levels can influence bone strength, vulnerability to some cancers in some breeds, etc.). She is rather harsh on the shelters and vets who push for widespread spay/neuter, blaming them for self-interest in money and convenience, which does not seem fair. They want there to be fewer unwanted dogs, and this is one way to get there. Other ways: better behavior by pet OWNERS, better education, or alternative surgical techniques should also be in the mix, which she suggests and encourages. Still, her rather blanket disparagement of spay/neuter as a violation of a dog's right to live a full life as a dog seems a bit extreme.
Dog people will find this book amusing, interesting, and possibly annoying - or not. Not bad, but not her best. However, if anyone knows where I can find the 19th-century knitting patterns she mentions for Italian greyhound sweaters, I'd love to see them.
May 25, 2020
If you think you like dogs, then this is a good book to read to check how much you like dogs for yourself and how much you like them for themselves. There are several chapters in this book that are fantastic - they pose great questions and offer some answers. However, I would note that this is more of a soul-searching questions type book rather than a fact book filled with answers. The answers that are offered are subtle and most will come from within you. But overall, I thought it was a good way to check my own thoughts and challenge them. Why do I like certain breeds? If I had a dog, would I give her the opportunity to live her best life? Why do we get upset when dogs break our social rules that we think they understand but really they can't understand them the way that we do? And why are we still so hypocritical about dogs - how can we see them both as having our emotions and not having any emotions?
At times, I wished there was a little more that the book could give in addition to the questions it raised. What do we know about how dogs feel when we talk to them? How do they understand their names? I would have wanted some more examples of research that complements some of the topics. The 'interlude' chapters were interesting, but I felt they were a little unnecessary and broke the flow of the book.
I liked the frequent but subtle hints about how our modern day lives are not particularly suited to dogs especially when we leave them alone for hours and expect them to be on 'standby' while we get on with our lives. We need to have more of these conversations and more studies and research to help people understand why it's not good enough to just feed your dog twice a day, take it for a 30 minute walk and play with it for 15 mins a day. If we fulfil basic needs and avoid cruelty, we "equate living to the absence of neglect" and as the author goes on to say: "Living, for humans and non-humans, is not about avoiding suffering. It is about pursuing meaning, happiness, engagements."
At times, I wished there was a little more that the book could give in addition to the questions it raised. What do we know about how dogs feel when we talk to them? How do they understand their names? I would have wanted some more examples of research that complements some of the topics. The 'interlude' chapters were interesting, but I felt they were a little unnecessary and broke the flow of the book.
I liked the frequent but subtle hints about how our modern day lives are not particularly suited to dogs especially when we leave them alone for hours and expect them to be on 'standby' while we get on with our lives. We need to have more of these conversations and more studies and research to help people understand why it's not good enough to just feed your dog twice a day, take it for a 30 minute walk and play with it for 15 mins a day. If we fulfil basic needs and avoid cruelty, we "equate living to the absence of neglect" and as the author goes on to say: "Living, for humans and non-humans, is not about avoiding suffering. It is about pursuing meaning, happiness, engagements."
December 3, 2020
I was really liking this book, until she went far from the realm of research and into the realm of ranting, and ranting and ranting....
Listen I get it. We all need a good rant every once in a while... but I listened to 8 hours of this.
I liked the research parts, like the study on Learned Hopelessness, or dog "guilty faces".
But we need more unbiased voices (or at least as unbiased as possible) in this community.
But this wasn't it. It was far from it.
I totally agree on her stance on Spay, Neuter, unlike some people who gave poor reviews, from what I know there ARE significant down falls to fixing your pet (especially under the age of a year like a lot of people do)
Her critiques on breeders felt out tough considering she only wanted to address bad show line breeders. But didn't address good breeding practices in show line dogs.
She glossed over puppy mills and backyard breeders even quoting someone she interviewed said we need more backyard breeders. Families breeding litters in their kitchen.
Not only advocating for all the wrong things but showing a complete lack of understanding of what backyard breeders are.
Alas, one more dog book I hated. On to the next disappointed. (Nah scratch that last line, it sounds pretentious)
Listen I get it. We all need a good rant every once in a while... but I listened to 8 hours of this.
I liked the research parts, like the study on Learned Hopelessness, or dog "guilty faces".
But we need more unbiased voices (or at least as unbiased as possible) in this community.
But this wasn't it. It was far from it.
I totally agree on her stance on Spay, Neuter, unlike some people who gave poor reviews, from what I know there ARE significant down falls to fixing your pet (especially under the age of a year like a lot of people do)
Her critiques on breeders felt out tough considering she only wanted to address bad show line breeders. But didn't address good breeding practices in show line dogs.
She glossed over puppy mills and backyard breeders even quoting someone she interviewed said we need more backyard breeders. Families breeding litters in their kitchen.
Not only advocating for all the wrong things but showing a complete lack of understanding of what backyard breeders are.
Alas, one more dog book I hated. On to the next disappointed. (Nah scratch that last line, it sounds pretentious)
September 6, 2021
Horowitz’s previous book, “Inside of a Dog,” was a look at dog behavior from the perspective of the dog—insofar as we might rationally induce it. This book is about human behavior toward dogs, but again, as far as we might induce, from the dog’s perspective. This is not a book to make you comfortable. It examines the unexamined: is there such a thing as a “purebred” dog (of whatever breed), or are the kennel clubs foisting a fiction which results in genetically problematic inbreeding; is spaying and neutering really a responsible act or our avoidance of the responsibility for understanding and caring for “intact” dogs and more about what is convenient for us; and various returns to the sort of testing that is done on dogs (which I could barely read); as well as other discomfiting examinations of our human responsibilities and our care for these amazing creatures who, somewhere back in the mists of time, made a fateful bargain and exchanged loyalty and love for absolute dependence upon us humans.
November 8, 2019
This book was not what I was expecting. I didn’t quite get how the book captured the bond between dogs and humans. It made resent humans and I really didn’t want to finish this book with the information of how bad we, as humans, treat dogs in terms of breeding and testing and everything in between. There were also parts that were supposed to be funny, but I found them annoying and unimportant for the overall purpose of the book.
June 26, 2021
I chose not to finish this book. I found the author's bias against purebred dogs to be offensive and at times blatantly untrue. I decided there are much better uses of my time.
March 10, 2025
Dawg I do not have a moral issue with Scooby-doo saying “rut roh raggy” then eating a floor-to-ceiling height sandwich in one bite. It’s not that serious we didn’t need a whole chapter on it
May 22, 2021
Our Dogs, Ourselves is an insightful book on the incredible connection between "man's best friend" and humans. The author's perspective is how we, as usual self centered, want dogs to be molded in our image. Thus the reason to breed and re-breed dogs and mistreat them when they don't fulfill our expectations. Some chapters are hard to read because of so much detailed cruelty and torture we purposefully put them through, be it by neglect, entertainment or experimentation and inbreeding. If we treat our best buddies like this, then of course other animals are even more dispensable. But there are lighter moments of the pure joy dogs give us. And the moral of the book, in my opinion, is to just let dogs be THEMselves and NOT a mirror image of us.
And better off adopting mutts: they have less health issues and, on the whole, are much smarter. In our obsession of having "perfect" dogs we are, in a sense, playing Frankenstein and creating dogs with so many health issues and problems that then becomes a catch-22: they get sick earlier and so we "discard" them like an old TV to just "buy" another and on and on...
Just let dogs be, stop the breeding industry and just adopt! My sweet, smart and nutty mutt, Lola, thanks you. 3.5 stars
And better off adopting mutts: they have less health issues and, on the whole, are much smarter. In our obsession of having "perfect" dogs we are, in a sense, playing Frankenstein and creating dogs with so many health issues and problems that then becomes a catch-22: they get sick earlier and so we "discard" them like an old TV to just "buy" another and on and on...
Just let dogs be, stop the breeding industry and just adopt! My sweet, smart and nutty mutt, Lola, thanks you. 3.5 stars
July 28, 2025
i listened to this audiobook that was read by the narrator for the CPL summer program.
i liked some of the history about dogs, thinking about some of their behavior, and this notion of are they property vs their own beings.
i did not like her weird vibes about spaying/neutering animals, scientific research on animals, and just some of her tone about the things she was describing. i also thought it would be wayyy more about dog behavior (which seems to be her area of research?). also, her anecdote about her cat dying during surgery for being spayed seemed unnecessary.
i liked some of the history about dogs, thinking about some of their behavior, and this notion of are they property vs their own beings.
i did not like her weird vibes about spaying/neutering animals, scientific research on animals, and just some of her tone about the things she was describing. i also thought it would be wayyy more about dog behavior (which seems to be her area of research?). also, her anecdote about her cat dying during surgery for being spayed seemed unnecessary.
September 5, 2022
Not science-y like her other books; rather commentary on our relationship with dogs, particularly 21st century Americans, who as a society will euthanize some "unwanted" shelter dogs while producing other dogs to ridiculous "breed standards" that cause health problems and suffering (I've seen English Bulldogs die of heatstroke from just playing fetch).
November 14, 2019
As a dog lover of the highest order and dog blogger/writer, this is my second purchase of a book by the author. I am not disappointed. She truly gets inside the mind of a dog and gives me much pause for thought. Highly recommended and will make you hug your dog a lot out of respect.
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July 2, 2023Not as bad as to stop reading, nothing great either. Some snippets here and there but mostly I didn't find this one useful. For instance, we have an entire chapter detailing conversations she has overheard between dogs and owners word by word... Really?
January 31, 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It is beautifully written with some deep insights about the lives of dogs and how we have historically mistreated them [actually still mistreat them today]. Sometimes funny, sometimes incredibly sad, definitely worth reading.
October 25, 2019
Thought provoking. I love her writing - need my dictionary- I love it and funny lines.
September 14, 2019
This was an entertaining, joyful, depressing read, full of interesting facts and things I never before considered (and I’ve always had at least one dog in my life - and up to three - at every point in my life, and I’ve thought and read a lot about dogs). Then I got to her chapter where she talked about why responsible home breeders (not backyard breeders who breed purely for profit) could be so much better than AKC breeders (who breed through lineage for physical characteristics instead of temperament and health), and I won’t go into my experience with people who’ve had AKC-registered dogs...
Also mind-blowing for me was her take on spaying and neutering, and Horowitz is someone who has only adopted spayed/neutered dogs, or has had pets spayed/neutered). Wow wow wow.
Dogs live with us because we can gaze into their eyes and they can gaze into ours, which is unique and wonderful for those of us who are dog people. Dogs are the best.
Also mind-blowing for me was her take on spaying and neutering, and Horowitz is someone who has only adopted spayed/neutered dogs, or has had pets spayed/neutered). Wow wow wow.
Dogs live with us because we can gaze into their eyes and they can gaze into ours, which is unique and wonderful for those of us who are dog people. Dogs are the best.
October 29, 2024
How I wanted to love this book, I just didn't. I found Horowitz to be very biased toward certain things dealing with dogs. This came as a surprise to me for the simple fact she studies dogs for a living.
Horowitz came across as someone who dislikes ALL breeders. Not all breeders are bad. Of course, the puppy mills are! But, those responsible breeders that have one or two litters a year, I don't consider bad. To me, they are responsible.
She also slammed spay/neuter because she had a bad experience. The only way to control the population of dogs/cats is to spay the dogs/cats that are homeless. The population is not the fault of the responsible owner, but those owners who aren't responsible and don't take care of their pets. Education is all that will help, in my opinion.
😊Happy Reading 😊
#offtheshelf2024 #readaway2024 #ourdogsourselves
Horowitz came across as someone who dislikes ALL breeders. Not all breeders are bad. Of course, the puppy mills are! But, those responsible breeders that have one or two litters a year, I don't consider bad. To me, they are responsible.
She also slammed spay/neuter because she had a bad experience. The only way to control the population of dogs/cats is to spay the dogs/cats that are homeless. The population is not the fault of the responsible owner, but those owners who aren't responsible and don't take care of their pets. Education is all that will help, in my opinion.
😊Happy Reading 😊
#offtheshelf2024 #readaway2024 #ourdogsourselves
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