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Exploring the introduction of European dogs to North America through shoulder height

Bibliographic Data

ID7809692
AuthorsM H Welker (0000-0002-0406-0129, Department of Anthropology Pennsylvania State University University Park Pennsylvania USA, corresponding author), Rebecca Dunham (Indigenous Affairs and Cultural Heritage Directorate (IACH) Parks Canada Agency Dartmouth Nova Scotia Canada), R Scott Dunham (Parks Canada)
Year2019
Volume29
Issue2
Pages325-334
Publication date2019-03-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Osteoarchaeology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1047-482X • E-ISSN: 1099-1212
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1002/oa.2744
OpenAlexW2914234682
LanguageEN
Citations received12
References cited50

The introduction of domesticated species to new environments has been used to identify colonisation events in the archaeological record but rarely provides the opportunity to investigate colonists' selection of particular breeds or stock. This analysis employs morphometrics, the measurement of skeletal landmarks, supported by historic documentation to explore the intersection between colonists' breed preferences and species translocation. In doing so, this analysis provides insight into the differential effects of human selective breeding on domestic dog's ( Canis familiaris ) physical characteristics in Native American and European societies. Historic sources suggest that European colonists selectively imported large dog breeds capable of defending settlements and livestock, acting as war dogs, and aiding hunters. Colonists' dogs are reputed to have been significantly larger than Native American dogs. This study compares standardised measurements taken on bones to estimate shoulder height. We find that dog populations in England and North America spanning the period 0–1,800 AD exhibit an almost identical average stature; however, the range of shoulder height variation in European dogs is far greater than seen in eastern Native American dog populations. Dogs in colonial American contexts are statistically larger than both Native American and European dog populations, supporting documentary accounts that colonists selectively imported breeds from the largest available in Europe

Archaeology · Biology · Breed · Canis · Colonisation · Colonization · Domestication · Ethnology · Geography · Human settlement · Livestock · Native american · Demography · Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology Studies · History · Human-Animal Interaction Studies · Wildlife Ecology and Conservation · Ecology

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Unique citing works12
Citations per year2,4
Citation span2021 - 2025 (5)
Citation velocityrecent
Highly citedNo
Citation typesNeutral: 12
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