Writer: Fischer Work
Editor: Yubeen Hyun
Somewhere, over 10,000 years ago, a caveman reached out to pet a dog’s fur for the first time. With the ice broken, the seeds of a long-lasting and mutually beneficial relationship were sown. Humankind gained more than just a friend: we gained an employee. Once it became common knowledge that humans could pay for labor with food and affection, dogs around the world scrambled to find jobs. Hunter, guardian, shepherd, all were job titles up for grabs. With a shake of a hand and a paw, an evolutionary contract was made. But as humans moved out of caves and into houses, the expectations of this canine contract shifted, leaving us now with the crucial question: Is it time to reevaluate the terms of this relationship with the canine world?
The Hunter
One of the oldest breeds of domesticated dogs, the Saluki, has been found in Ancient Egyptian tombs dating back to 2100 BCE. Known as the “royal dogs of Egypt,” these lithe, slender hounds were respected and revered—their images carved in stone, their likeness painted on tombs, and their bodies laid to rest beside the pharaohs they served. Bred to chase down gazelles and other fast desert animals, Salukis are prized for their keen eyesight and hunting abilities. Their long, silky hair, which drapes from their ears and the underside of their tails, is refined, elegant, and distinctly Dr. Seussian.
The first job opportunities for dogs were in serving nomadic and hunter-gathering communities with their superior sense of sight and smell. Dogs led hunting parties, guarded villages, and pulled sleds, and in return received food, healthcare, and belly rubs. When humanity transitioned to agrarian-based societies, new canine jobs opened up with the domestication of livestock. Dogs were employed for herding and protecting sheep, goats, and cattle (depending on their qualifications). As humanity progressed over millennia, dogs enjoyed steady employment and a relatively stable job market.
The Shepherd
The Anatolian Shepherd boasts thousands of years of experience herding and protecting livestock. Remarkably independent, the breed is capable of making decisions related to a flock’s security on its own and frowns at human intervention. The sheer size of these dogs is equally effective at deterring predators as their powerful jaws, but if it comes to a fight, an Anatolian Shepherd will not hesitate to take on a wolf, cougar, or bear. Anatolian Shepherds are less playful than other breeds, as they take their jobs extremely seriously. They live and grow alongside their flock, and even out of immense hunger would never harm their sheep; they will hunt and eat a rat or gopher instead.
Graphic By: Finna Wang
As civilization progressed further and emphasis on agriculture declined, the work available for dogs shifted once again. Demand for companionship roles increased rapidly, overtaking the guardian and herding sectors of the market. Dogs moved out of the field and into the home. Today, dogs are America’s favorite pet, employed in over half of the nation’s households. These furry live-in therapists, friends, and cuddle-buddies remain immensely beneficial for their owners: canine companionship has a measurable positive effect on physiological well-being. In 2015, pet ownership in the United States translated to an astounding $11.7 billion in reduced health care costs. Across the country, 133 million pet owners made nearly fifty percent fewer visits to the doctor than non-pet owners. Among them, the 20 million owners who walked their dogs five or more times per week saw significantly lower rates of obesity. On average, people have gotten healthier thanks to this continued contract with the canine world.
However, what was once a mutually beneficial relationship has become one-sided. While many dogs are healthier thanks to access to veterinarians, plenty more are worse off than if they had never made contact with cavemen in the first place. For thousands of years, humans have selectively bred dogs for desirable characteristics. But as canine roles shifted from workers to companions, more and more weight was placed on their aesthetic traits. Appearance took precedence over health as breeders were encouraged to push these traits to unethical extremes.
The Lapdog
Popular in China during the Song Dynasty, ancient pugs were bred as companions for royal families, only with longer noses and legs than seen today. Pugs made their way to Europe via the Dutch East India Company in the 16th century and exploded in popularity. These wrinkly little dogs could commonly be seen riding in the front of private carriages, dressed in jackets and pantaloons to match the coachmen. Their short-nosed, short-legged modern appearance did not emerge until 1860, when French and British soldiers seized a new wave of dogs from the Old Summer Palace in Beijing, then bred them to satisfaction.
Modern-day pugs are adept at looking cute and dying young. Many prefer short, light walks, as even a brief exertion can make breathing a struggle. Pugs stimulate the local economy with frequent costly visits to the vet, as their shortened skulls and obstructed airways make them prone to a whole host of health issues: from corneal ulcers and dry eyes to heat stroke, yeast infections, and dental problems.
In the transition from field to couch, dogs got the raw end of the stick. While “lapdog” has always been a respectable career, its increased prevalence in the modern day has tainted our relationship with dogkind. Pugs, Bulldogs, and Frenchies all suffer similar debilitating genetic conditions. While their features are adorable, are they worth a lifetime of suffering? The silver lining, perhaps, is that these dogs’ suffering is rarely long—the average life expectancy of a French Bulldog is just over four years, with the average life expectancy for the average dog at almost twelve. Despite this, popularity shows no signs of slowing: for the third year in a row, the French Bulldog has claimed the top spot as the United States’s most popular dog.
In the fight against cruel employers and unfair labor practices, pugs need someone to hold up their picket signs demanding genetic emancipation since their legs are too short and they have no thumbs. Thankfully, as awareness spreads, advocates are flocking to the canine call for help. In 2023, the Netherlands placed restrictions on the breeding of short-faced dogs to “prevent characteristics that cause unnecessary suffering.” There has also been a corresponding push to breed “retro pugs,” a mix between a pug and a Jack Russell Terrier with a longer nose, less bulgy eyes, better stamina, and no breathing problems. A still cute alternative to a regular pug, without the weighty moral baggage.
Bureau of Dog Labor Statistics Report
Despite the rapidly changing landscape of the 21st century, dogs see continued opportunity for employment and high job security, with the advent of powerful new technologies predicted to pose little to no threat in the canine sector. However, increasingly abhorrent employer demands have established the need for canine advocates to push public policy back in Fido’s favor.
Featured Image by Lorca Wiles on Unsplash
