Do Dogs Laugh?: Where Dogs Come From, What We Know About Them, and What They Think About Us

by Jake Page, Susanne Page (Photographer)

Do Dogs Laugh? draws on the last several decades of canine research, examining everything from a dog's eyesight to its culinary preferences and sense of humor. Jake Page looks at dogs' wild brothers, the wolves, and their closer cousins, the wild or pariah dogs; explains the newest theory of how dogs were domesticated; describes a dog's development from puppyhood on; and finally ponders a dog's emotional life and intelligence. And as an added bonus, Page's own pack of dogs makes multiple cameo appearances.

Genres: Nonfiction, Dogs, Animals, Science

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Jake Page was a celebrated editor, science writer, and novelist who made complex topics accessible through wit and clarity. Though he never studied science formally, his role editing Natural History Books at Doubleday sparked a lifelong passion for explaining science to general readers. As science editor and columnist at Smithsonian magazine, he wrote with elegance and humor on a wide range of subjects, from aspirin to Zane Grey. Page authored dozens of books, including works on birds, earthquakes, and Native American history. His fascination with the American Southwest led to a mystery series featuring a blind sculptor-detective. Collaborating with his wife, photographer Susanne Anderson, he produced detailed cultural studies like Hopi and Navajo. His major nonfiction achievement, In the Hands of the Great Spirit, traces 20,000 years of American Indian history. Whether exploring anthropology or writing fiction, Page championed curiosity, clarity, and the belief that science was too important to remain only in expert hands.

Reviews

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

A natural history of dogs - their wild roots and domestication, their life cycle, how they communicate, feel, play, think and relate to humans. Having written with wit, humour and solid research, Jake Page provides an insightful, refreshing read and even suggests the signs of a dog's laugh! Thankfully, this is not another "how to train your dog" book, but reaches more intimately into the genetics, mind and soul of man's best friend.

[Kelsie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dogs are awesome

[Tim Clouse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good, short, useful

Little on the short side, but contains a number of useful explanations as why dogs do what they do. Particularly important is comment that mounting during play is not a crisis. Also has an extensive bibliography.

[Angela Go · Rating 3 out of 5]

At least 3 1/2 stars, this book gives a great explanation on the evolution of dogs from wolves. Recommend for any dog-lover.

[Hilary "Fox" · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a cool book!

This was a comprehensive guide to the natural history of dogs (surprise, surprise) that did not get bogged down by becoming too intensive. Each aspect of a dog's history and life was touched upon - from the origin of the modern dog, the process through which dogs most likely became domesticated, how different breeds arose -- to how a dog matures from puppyhood to doghood, how a dog utilizes the different senses it possesses, all the way to what a decent method of training dogs would be. Although, bear in mind, this is in no way a dog training book.

The history of dogs is fascinating, as is what information was brought to light via this book. The genetic traits of obedience and 'tamedness' as well as the physiological changes that occur in a dog as it becomes domesticated are really fascinating. This book was an intriguing read from start to finish, and I would highly recommend it to anyone with even a passing interest in dogs.

[digbybare · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mildly informative. This book gives a shallow treatment of a broad range of topics concerning wild and domesticated canines. The author, while noticeably under-informed and clearly not fully understanding the research he conducted, gives a decent overview of dog history and behavior.

My main qualm with the book is with the "quips" found throughout the book. This includes his HI-LARIOUS mocking of scientific names. Scientists are stooooooooopid, hurf durf. Never gets old.

Also, from page 151:

"Believe me, this is a copse full of thorns red with the blood of innumerable researchers but we will soldier on into this territory and possibly, with enough hip-swiveling, we can slip past many of the thorns. (That is three metaphors in one sentence for those of you who count such things.)"

This is just, wow. Three metaphors! In one sentence! What poetry! I was humbled by such genius!

[Tina Grove · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a decent overview for a first time reader of the history of dogs, however some of the generalizations and opinions he asserts in the end of the book angered and irritated me especially when they were mostly unsupported by any research or studies. For instance he begins to make claims about certain types of trainers and their methods and it seemed out of left field and not helpful at all. In a way it made second guess the credibility of the first part of the book. If one part could be so biased and ungrounded, possibly the rest of it was as well?

[Elaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this on a NOOKcolor. It depends heavily on the past several decades of canine evolution and how dogs today see and undersrand the world around them. Page also includes some information about other canidae, not all particularly relevant to canis familiaris. The biggest omission and disappointment are the lack of current research on the cognitive and social abilities of the domestic dog. Given the scope of the research on this, and also its relevance to those who own dogs, there is little excuse for such an omission.

All in all, a good read especially if you like dogs.

[Heather Browning · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid little book covering the natural history of dogs, from their evolutionary history through their development, biology and psychology. Unfortunately, I felt like it was often quite dry. I would have loved to have seen more anecdotes about the author's dogs illustrating the points he was making - these were the high point for me. For those of us who love dogs, it really is the individual characters that make them so amazing. I also really enjoyed the appendix describing the diversity of the world's candid species, so many out there I'd never even heard of.

[MJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author has 6 dogs and this book is a wonderful combination of natural history and practical knowledge. I did not know that dogs and foxes are related. This is an entertaining, fast read and well worth your time if you have a fondness for dogs and want to find out more about how they tick and why.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jake Page has entwined history, anecdotes about his own dogs and asides to the reader to make this the most engaging book of the history of dogs I have read. (I've read a lot of them.)

Thoroughly entertaining, informative and amusing.

[Alexandra Heeter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book! Very well put together and I loved the anecdotal stories which helped back up facts and break up the monotony. Definitely an easy ready and one that's nowhere near boring! Highly recommended.

[Aimee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gave me a lot of insight on my dog's behavior, and that dogs and humans really developed side-by-side.... we go together!

[Dave · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun book to read... especially since I love dogs but can't own one yet.

[Marina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome, awesome book. Read it in conjunction with watching the PBS Nature show: Dogs that Changed the World. Similar information but both compelling and interesting.

[Rebecca · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although I'm not a dog person, I do find them interesting to read about. Go figure.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awesome book on the history of dogs. Informative and entertaining.

[Promise Stark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent in-depth examination of the biological and historical background of domesticated dogs.