经济学人下载:狗-人们最好的朋友

The latest scientific research can help dogs and their owners have happier, healthier relationships by encouraging people to understand dogs better. But Mr Bradshaw is also fearful. In particular, he deplores the incestuous narrowing of the gene pool that modern pedigree breeders have brought about. Dogs today are rarely bred for their working abilities (herding, hunting, guarding), but for a very particular type of appearance, which inevitably risks the spread of physical and temperamental abnormalities. Instead, he suggests that dogs be bred for the ideal behavioural traits associated with the role they will actually play. He also worries that the increasing urbanisation of society and the pressures on couples to work long hours are putting dogs under huge strain. He estimates that about 20% of Britain’s 8m dogs and America’s 70m suffer from “separation distress” when their owners leave the house, but argues that sensible training can teach them how to cope.

这些最新科研能促使人们更好地理解狗，使狗和主人间的关系更愉快更健康。但是Bradshaw也有所担忧。他尤其反对为了培育纯种狗而近亲杂交，这会导致基因谱的缩窄。现在人们养狗极少看重他们的工作能力（放牧、打猎、看守），而是关注某种特别的外形，这不可避免的会导致狗的生理和性情的异常。他建议，养狗应注重其扮演角色和行为特点之间的联系。同时他也担忧日益都市化的社会和夫妻长时间工作的压力，会给狗带来巨大压力。他估计有20%的英国（8百万只）和美国（7千万）的狗，在主人离开家时承受着“离别的痛苦”。同时也提到合理的训练可以教会它们如何解脱。

“Dog Sense” is neither a manual nor a sentimental account of the joys of dog-ownership. At times its rigorously research-led approach can be slightly heavy going. A few more jolly anecdotes might have leavened the mix. But this is a wonderfully informative, quietly passionate book that will benefit every dog whose owner reads it.

《狗的感官》既不是一本养狗指南，也不是主人与狗之间乐事的描述。有时其严密的科研方法可能会有些晦涩难懂。其间更多的趣事或许能使阅读的心情平衡。这确是一本内容丰富、饱含激情的书，让你的狗受益匪浅。