Dogs and More Dogs (2004)

Where do dogs in all their amazing diversity come from? Tradition says that thousands of years ago someone tamed a wolf pup, thus creating the first of our best friends. But many scientists disagree. On "Dogs and More Dogs," NOVA goes to the dogs—and to leading researchers—to find out the truth. Narrated by John Lithgow, the program ranges from a wolf research facility in rural Indiana to the Westminster Dog Show in New York's Madison Square Garden. NOVA makes a fascinating detour to the city dump in Tijuana, Mexico, where viewers get surprising insight into the origin and evolutionary strategy of our canine companions.

Overview
"Dogs and More Dogs" is a documentary film directed by Nigel Cole and released in 2004. Produced by NOVA, this documentary provides an extensive expedition into the domestication of canines and the subsequent diversification of type and function that makes the canine species so unique. The movie likewise thoroughly examines the role that hereditary science plays in our understanding of selective breeding, which has actually led to thousands of canine types existing today.

The History of Dog Domestication
"Dogs and More Dogs" commences with the historical aspect of canines' domestication, tracing back to 15,000 years ago when wolves began to form relationships with people. The movie talks about how wolves, brought in by waste created by human settlements, started to communicate with our forefathers. This relationship then developed into an equally advantageous one, with wolves offering defense to humans while getting nourishment in return. This interaction resulted in the slow domestication procedure that ultimately gave birth to the first dogs.

Pet Dog Breed and Evolution
The film even more looks into the amazing variety amongst canine types. There's a thorough examination of canine evolution and how selective breeding has resulted in over 350 distinct canine breeds, each differing in size, appearance, and temperament. The movie shows that all canines, in spite of this exceptional variation, are of the exact same types and share the same genetic product, acquired from a typical ancestor.

The Role of Genetics
In "Dogs and More Dogs", genetics play a considerable function. The movie explores how scientists are utilizing hereditary science to unlock some of the canine types' secrets. Huge attention is offered to comprehending the phenomenon of physical variation, such as size and color within the same species. An emphasize consists of the intro of a project to map the dog genome, aiming to expose more about the hereditary relationship between different types. The application extended beyond pet dogs too, as the information could possibly assist human hereditary research, considering the resemblances in between human and canine genetic diseases.

Dog Health and Breeding
"Dogs and More Dogs" also addresses the effects of selective breeding. Specialists in the film talk about the linkage in between genetic problems and the human mission for the 'ideal' pet dog, which causes inbreeding. The inheritance of different hereditary diseases, including hip dysplasia, cardiovascular disease, and particular kinds of cancer, are more likely to take place in purebreds than blended breeds due to the smaller gene pool. Hence, the movie awoke the requirement to think about the health ramifications of selective breeding in dogs.

Conclusion
"Dogs and More Dogs" take us on an useful, appealing, and in some cases psychological journey through the history and science of the relationship between humans and pets. It is not just a movie about dogs, but likewise an exploration of development, domestication, genetics, and the ethics of selective breeding, providing a well-rounded understanding of the unique and diverse species that have actually become our buddies.

Top Cast

John Lithgow

Narrator