Jo Bian

Writing 39C
Lynda Haas
4/24/16
Dogs domestication
Introduction
Dogs are called humankinds best friend for a reason. Ever since 12,000 years ago, human
started to domesticate animals and plants in the Stone Age. Dogs are one of the first animals
human domesticated. They became humans hunting-mates, doorman, and later on, a member of
the household. Compare to their ancestors, grey wolves, dogs vary in sizes, shape, and color;
they are submissive and eager to please their human owner; they work with human and rely on
human for food and protection. Dogs also play a huge role in human history and culture. In this
historical conversation project, dog domestication expert James Serpell, Darcy F. Morey, L. N.
Trut, Leslie Irvine and Adam Miklosis publication will be compared and discussed to learn the
domestication journey of dogs in the aspect of their change in physical appearance, behavior, and
relationship with human.

Change in physical appearance

Because of humans intervention, dogs have experienced drastic change in their physical
appearance. Because they do not have to live in the wild anymore, they do not need to pry and
compete with other predators. Their fur coloration and bone structures change to adapt to human
communities. The head researcher at the Institute of Cytology and Genetics of Siberian
Department of the Russian Academy of Science, Lyudmila N. Trut in her article, Early Canid
Domestication: The Farm-Fox Experiment, describe the Russian Geneticist Dmitry K.

Belyaevs experiment on domesticating foxes. Foxes are close kin to dogs. Belyaev uses foxes to
restore the scenario of early human domesticating dogs. Through generations of fox breeding,
Belyaevs research group finds out that domesticated foxes body sizes polarize from either very
large to very small (Trut 162). In the wild, overly large or small foxes have disadvantage in
hunting and hiding from predators, but in a domesticate environment, food and protection are
provided, foxes start to appear variation in sizes. Because they do not need the camouflage fur
coat, domesticated foxes start to have patches of discoloration on their fur due to lack of
pigmentation (Trut 162). Another significant observation on not only foxes, but also in almost all
the domesticated animals is the unique droopy ears. This feature is not seen in any wild
animals other than elephants, but is common in domesticated foxes and dogs (Trut 162).
Dr. Darcy F. Morey is a zooarchaeologist from the University of Tenniessee at Knoxville. He
notices that compare to their ancestor wolves, dogs are smaller in size; they have a shorter and
more rounded face. Morey suggests that this phenomenon indicates that during the evolution
process, the domesticated wolves remain their juvenile form, which is more favored by their
human owners (Morey 341).
Change in Behavior
Domestication also causes dogs to behavior differently than their wild ancestors. Adult dogs
act much like juvenile wolves (Morey 344). They constantly seek attention from their human
owners. Seen as a form of submission, dogs play, whine, and bark; they kept the behavior that is
only seen in wolves pups, which wolves out grow when they reach their adulthood (Morey 344).
Belyaevs experiment on farm foxes also shows that the offspring of two tamed foxes are
usually friendlier and more willing to approach human (Trut 163). The researchers categorize
foxes that intentionally seek humans attention as domesticated elite. In about 40 years and 30-

35 generations, the population of domesticated elite foxes increased from 18 percent to 70-80
percent of the entire experimental group (Trut 163). The domesticated elites display dog-like
behavior. They show the eagerness to please human by wagging their tails and licking visitors
hands (Trut 163). From This phenomenon combined with the phenotypical change from wolves
to dogs, Morey questions that if the there is a cause-and-effect relationship between behavior and
the physical appearance of domesticated dogs.
Relationship with Human
Dogs are originally domesticated for hunting purposes (Morey 339). Humans started to
domesticate wild wolves into dogs as early as 400,000 years ago (Serpell 8). During 1930s, the
site Ein Mallaha was discovered in Hayonim, Israel. A human and a canidae skeleton are both
found in the same burial site. Scientists debated about whether if the canidae skeleton belongs to
the early-domesticated dogs because its structure looks more like modern Arabian wolves but
smaller in size (Serpell 8). Serpell believes that this is a crucial evidence of ancient human-dog
relationship.
How did human culture affect the evolution of dogs? Dr. Leslie Irvine answers this
question in her article Them and Us in her well-known book If You Tame Me. She states that
through out history, humans views towards dogs are not always constant. In the early sixth
century, religions consider dogs as unclean. And hunting are viewed as carnal diversion.
Dogs, therefore, are prohibited among common people.

Work Cited
Trut, L. N., I. Z. Plyusnina, and I. N. Oskina. "An Experiment on Fox Domestication and
Debatable Issues of Evolution of the Dog." Russian Journal of Genetics 40.6 (2004):
644-55. Web. 20 Apr.
2016.https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a4/Separatory_funnel_with_oil_an
d_colored_water.jpg
Miklsi, dm. Dog Behaviour, Evolution, and Cognition. 2nd ed. Oxford, United Kingdom:
Oxford UP, 2015. Print.
More, Darcy F. "The Early Evolution of the Domestic Dog." American Scientists 82 (1994):
336-47. Web. 23 Apr. 2016.
Irvine, Leslie. If You Tame Me: Understanding Our Connection with Animals. Philadelphia:
Temple UP, 2004. Web. 20 Apr. 2016.

Serpell, James. The Domestic Dog: Its Evolution, Behaviour, and Interactions with People.
Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 1995. Web. 20 Apr. 2016.

Trait

Minimum Requirements

Above

Purpose: Review The purpose of the essay (a review of scientific

of Literature
literature on the topic) is clearly signaled in the
introduction. As a reader, you are sure very early on that
you are about to read a review of the literature.

Meets Belo
w
x

Comments: Your introduction is very well phrased in terms of introducing your topic and
researchers. You need to double check that your data is accurate and consistent. If it is not, your
reader will not want to read the rest of your research analysis since they will assume that it is the rest
is inaccurate.
Thesis
(Controlling
Idea)

The review is held together by a controlling idea (it may

be implied) that clearly summarizes the scholarly
discussion on this topic. The controlling idea is
narrowed enough that the review can offer a
comprehensive picture of the history of this scientific
conversation. The topic is not advocating or taking a
stand on an issue, but is rather setting up a scientific
foundation for advocacy.

Comments: Although you did a very good job in the way you lay out your analysis and research, I
think that adding direct quotes and an analysis in your own words (but unbiased) may not only help
you expand on those resources that demonstrates your expertise on your topic, but also your reader
can have a better understanding of your sources.
Historical
Dimensions

The essay provides details about the history of the topic

being reviewedafter reading, you know when this
topic was first researched and a little about the history
of this type of research since then.

Comments: You have very reliable source since they do talk about the historical aspect in details. I
think, however, it would be great to include a somewhat more explicit sections that show the
evolution of research. I think staying away from a lot of past tense (he questioned, or anything
along those lines) it would be good to parallel past and present research.
Development

The review of the literature (body paragraphs)

summarizes scientific research and writing about the
topic. The author makes connections between the
studies to show the aspects of this conversation

Comments: I think that in order for the conversation aspect to be Seen is affected by the way your
own analysis on your paper is given. I think providing quotes to your analysis can help this improve.
Multimodal

The essay includes at least one multi-modal element N/A

N/A

N/A

Element(s)

(image or video) that strengthens and/or deepens the

idea being discussed in that section. The element is
added into the essay using MLA format with an
appropriate caption.

Comments:
Arrangement,
Organization

The essay is organized in a logical way that contributes

to the readers understanding of the scientific literature
on this topic. The author uses topic sentences,
transitions and sign post words throughout the essay
to guide the reader.

Comments: your essay lacks transition words that can help link paragraphs and ideas together. It
would help because your essay refers to researchers/articles throughout (going back and forth),
which is great, but, by using transitions, it will help link the ideas of the entire essay more effectively.
It would help with your organization.
Research

The majority of the sources are scientific studies/articles x

about the topic. All sources, even those that are not
scientific studies, are credible for a scholarly audience.

Comments: I really like how your resources are universal and show a timeline. Although the timeline
is not specific (see comment above in rubric), I have the general understanding that your resources
are evolutionary.
Scholarly
Ethos

The author uses word choice and tone that makes the
essay appropriate for a scholarly audience. After
reading the essay, you are sure that the author did
adequate research to write in a knowledgeable way.

Comments: I am not entirely sure how to grade you on this because I am not sure if the language
you used is scholarly. In other words, your essay relies on paraphrasing, thus it is unclear to me to
know what your original analysis. But I do not mean it in a way as in this is too good or bad to be
yours, but more as in, give a deeper analysis that will help strengthen your resources.
Source
Integration &
Citation

Comments: Introduced researchers title

job/research/memorable event.
Works Cited

The author introduces the scholarly authors of the

sources and integrates the excerpts into his/her own
writing in grammatically correct sentences. Correct
MLA in-text citation is used.
and

credentials

better

The essay includes a Works Cited of all sources used

that is formatted in MLA style.

in

terms

of

current
x

Comments: Check that it is in ABC order. I like the way you have web and printed sources. Good job
for going to the library! Remember to add more as well for your final HCP.

Language
Grammar

and The essay is not riddled with grammatical or language

errors; it is easy to read and understand without having
to decode because of error.

Comments: You some phrasing mistakes that are critical in terms of referring to past or present
(tense)
Draft Length & The essay is a minimum of 5 pages long (word count
Source
approximately 1250-1300 words) and uses a minimum
Requirements
of 5 sources.

Comments: There are less than 1250 words. I think taking into account some of the advice you
receive from various sources, you can make it to at least 1250, if not more. Expand on your resources
and add quotes.
3. THREE PRIORITIES FOR REVISION
Based on your reading of the draft against this rubric of minimum requirements as well as the standard
HCP rubric, what do you think are the 3 (three) priorities the author should focus on for revision?
I think you should mainly focus on adding direct quotes to your analysis so you are able to extend on the
research and a lot more explanation about them. In addition, you should add transition words to help
your essay flow and help the reader not be confused by abruptly moving to your next topic. Finally, I
think another aspect that you should focus on is adding at least one more source since the minimum is 6.
This can also help you extend your research analysis and drive your essay into more of a conversational
aspect because you will not only have more quotes, but further analysis and explanations for your topic.

Trait

Minimum Requirements

Purpose: Review
of Literature

The purpose of the essay (a review of scientific literature on the topic) is clearly
signaled in the introduction. As a reader, you are sure very early on that you are
about to read a review of the literature.

Above

Meets

Below

it is clearly stated, however some grammatical errors makes it hard to

read and understand
Comments:

Thesis
(Controlling Idea)

Comments:

The review is held together by a controlling idea (it may be implied) that clearly
summarizes the scholarly discussion on this topic. The controlling idea is narrowed
enough that the review can offer a comprehensive picture of the history of this
scientific conversation. The topic is not advocating or taking a stand on an issue, but
is rather setting up a scientific foundation for advocacy.

you could explicitly state your controlling idea add quotes

Historical
Dimensions

The essay provides details about the history of the topic being reviewedafter
reading, you know when this topic was first researched and a little about the history of
this type of research since then.

the history you provide shows that youve done research regarding
your topic
Comments:+

Development

The review of the literature (body paragraphs) summarizes scientific research and
writing about the topic. The author makes connections between the studies to show
the aspects of this conversation

body paragraphs summarize your topic well however, it would be

helpful to add quotes that will support your topic for that paragraph quotes
are always helpful
Comments:

Multimodal
Element(s)

Comments:

The essay includes at least one multi-modal element (image or video) that
strengthens and/or deepens the idea being discussed in that section. The element is
added into the essay using MLA format with an appropriate caption.

none available

Arrangement,
Organization

The essay is organized in a logical way that contributes to the readers understanding
of the scientific literature on this topic. The author uses topic sentences, transitions
and sign post words throughout the essay to guide the reader.

use transitions to help organize your essay. Transitions will also make
it easier to read and follow
Comments:

Research

Comments:

The majority of the sources are scientific studies/articles about the topic. All sources,
even those that are not scientific studies, are credible for a scholarly audience.

sources are credible, however timeline is not specific

Scholarly
Ethos

Comments:

The author uses word choice and tone that makes the essay appropriate for a
scholarly audience. After reading the essay, you are sure that the author did adequate
research to write in a knowledgeable way.

Tone appropriate for scholarly audience

Source
Integration &
Citation

The author introduces the scholarly authors of the sources and integrates the
excerpts into his/her own writing in grammatically correct sentences. Correct MLA intext citation is used.

source citation is accurate and you introduce the scholarly authors well

Comments:
Works Cited
Comments:

The essay includes a Works Cited of all sources used that is formatted in MLA style.

make sure its in alphabetical order

Language and
Grammar

The essay is not riddled with grammatical or language errors; it is easy to read and
understand without having to decode because of error.

there are some tense errors as well as plural errors look back and
check these points
Comments:

Draft Length &

Source
Requirements

The essay is a minimum of 5 pages long (word count approximately 1250-1300

words) and uses a minimum of 5 sources.

Comments:

There are less than 1250 words, try to match the word requirement
3. THREE PRIORITIES FOR REVISION
Based on your reading of the draft against this rubric of minimum requirements as well as the standard HCP rubric, what do you think are the
3 (three) priorities the author should focus on for revision?

1) Adding more quotes that can back up your research choose quotes that directly relate to your topic
some quotes seem like they dont belong
2) Grammatical errors and adding transition words should help your essay flow better
3) Organize your sources and try to make them follow one another for example, try to have the most
important source at the top and the least important last. also, make sure your works cited is in MLA
format