Note: This started off as a post about feet, but it went elsewhere! I’ve wanted to post about feet for a while, but I have found that there is so much to get out of the way first before I can even craft it!
In the world of dog fanciers, a saying that is often bandied about is “form follows function.” The origin of the phrase comes from the world of architecture; it means that the form of a building should reflect its function. It is a simple thought and some believe that it doesn’t leave room for anything other than strict utilitarianism.
When I think about the true function of all domestic dogs in general the conclusion that I come to is that the function of a dog is to be a companion to humans. There are dogs with jobs (hunting, tracking, guarding, etc.) but in just about all instances a dog’s work happens in tandem with a human. An obvious exception would be the many guardian breeds that are bred to stay with and guard a flock or herd of animals without human direction and intervention; however the dog still must recognize humans and allow them to interact with their charges.
The dictionary I looked at defines a companion as person who is an associate of another or others. An associate is anything usually accompanying or associated with another – so I think that the definition of a dog’s function as a companion can work.
If we accept that the function of a dog is that of a companion, what does the form of a companion take?
Well, four feet, right? But I know plenty of three and now two legged dogs who make excellent companions. What about having two ears? Well, there is even a book about a dog who was missing its ears, and lest we think a companion must be aesthetically pleasing just look at the myriad of breeds who are the canine counterparts to Cabbage Patch Dolls – so ugly that they are cute!
I can continue to go on, but don’t we all know dogs who are blind, deaf, incontinent, paralyzed or on ridiculously special diets?
I thought I came to the conclusion early on in this post – it all comes down to a dog’s temperament, right? The more that I think about it, the more I think that the answer is an empathic no. Think of all the people we know or have heard about who have neurotic, depressed, timid, vicious, crazy, or fear biting (I could go on – but just look in your Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders book and I think that just about covers it all) dogs in their life and they make excellent companions to their humans. Lest we think that a dog should at the very least behave itself, go take a gander at www.shitmypetsruined.com and tell me what you think.
Humans love their companions in spite of, and maybe because of their appearances, physical limitations, mental conditions, and/or destructive habits.
I haven’t answered my own question yet, so let’s go back to architecture and think on houses for a minute. What makes a house – but more importantly – what makes a house a home? When we strip everything away, a house is made a home by its human inhabitants. If there is not a human living in the house, then it cannot be a home. I think that it is the same with dogs – they cannot fulfill their function without a human companion. And what form should that function take? Well, that my friend, is entirely up to you.
In the world of dog fanciers, a saying that is often bandied about is “form follows function.” The origin of the phrase comes from the world of architecture; it means that the form of a building should reflect its function. It is a simple thought and some believe that it doesn’t leave room for anything other than strict utilitarianism.
When I think about the true function of all domestic dogs in general the conclusion that I come to is that the function of a dog is to be a companion to humans. There are dogs with jobs (hunting, tracking, guarding, etc.) but in just about all instances a dog’s work happens in tandem with a human. An obvious exception would be the many guardian breeds that are bred to stay with and guard a flock or herd of animals without human direction and intervention; however the dog still must recognize humans and allow them to interact with their charges.
The dictionary I looked at defines a companion as person who is an associate of another or others. An associate is anything usually accompanying or associated with another – so I think that the definition of a dog’s function as a companion can work.
If we accept that the function of a dog is that of a companion, what does the form of a companion take?
Well, four feet, right? But I know plenty of three and now two legged dogs who make excellent companions. What about having two ears? Well, there is even a book about a dog who was missing its ears, and lest we think a companion must be aesthetically pleasing just look at the myriad of breeds who are the canine counterparts to Cabbage Patch Dolls – so ugly that they are cute!
I can continue to go on, but don’t we all know dogs who are blind, deaf, incontinent, paralyzed or on ridiculously special diets?
I thought I came to the conclusion early on in this post – it all comes down to a dog’s temperament, right? The more that I think about it, the more I think that the answer is an empathic no. Think of all the people we know or have heard about who have neurotic, depressed, timid, vicious, crazy, or fear biting (I could go on – but just look in your Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders book and I think that just about covers it all) dogs in their life and they make excellent companions to their humans. Lest we think that a dog should at the very least behave itself, go take a gander at www.shitmypetsruined.com and tell me what you think.
Humans love their companions in spite of, and maybe because of their appearances, physical limitations, mental conditions, and/or destructive habits.
I haven’t answered my own question yet, so let’s go back to architecture and think on houses for a minute. What makes a house – but more importantly – what makes a house a home? When we strip everything away, a house is made a home by its human inhabitants. If there is not a human living in the house, then it cannot be a home. I think that it is the same with dogs – they cannot fulfill their function without a human companion. And what form should that function take? Well, that my friend, is entirely up to you.
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