Information on working terriers, dogs, natural history, hunting, and the environment, with occasional political commentary as I see fit. This web log is associated with the Terrierman.com web site.
Tuesday, August 09, 2016
Wigs and Hats on Hairless Cats
Why do humans delight in making monsters that cannot function, and are frequently in distress and discomfort their entire lives?
"Why do humans delight in making monsters that cannot function, and are frequently in distress and discomfort their entire lives?"
I cannot speak to every freakish breed, but I think I can speak about several.
I believe that our DNA is hardwired to be protective toward infants. Some, maybe even most, people get an endorphin rush from them. It is a good thing, otherwise they would be pitched into the closest snowbank when they cried at two in the morning.
Infants are characterized by blunted features. That is due to soft bone structure and large amounts of fatty tissue in their faces. We instantly recognize babies (and puppies) due to their soft, rounded facial features. We also recognize the distinctive vocalizations of babies and toddlers.
Infants (and puppies) do not stay infants very long. Some people either cannot have babies or choose not to have human babies.
The obvious solution is to select a dog that even as an adult will tickle those neurons the same way an infant's face does. One example includes virtually all Spaniel breeds and many hounds. Small dogs with pushed-in faces have vocalizations that are similar to very young children with their underdeveloped sinuses.
Does this explanation cover every "freakish" breed? Of course not. But it is a plausible reason why many people will opt for a "non-functioning" dog. They don't want a dog, they want an animated, stuffed animal, baby-surrogate to get their endorphin rush.
2 comments:
"Why do humans delight in making monsters that cannot function, and are frequently in distress and discomfort their entire lives?"
I cannot speak to every freakish breed, but I think I can speak about several.
I believe that our DNA is hardwired to be protective toward infants. Some, maybe even most, people get an endorphin rush from them. It is a good thing, otherwise they would be pitched into the closest snowbank when they cried at two in the morning.
Infants are characterized by blunted features. That is due to soft bone structure and large amounts of fatty tissue in their faces. We instantly recognize babies (and puppies) due to their soft, rounded facial features. We also recognize the distinctive vocalizations of babies and toddlers.
Infants (and puppies) do not stay infants very long. Some people either cannot have babies or choose not to have human babies.
The obvious solution is to select a dog that even as an adult will tickle those neurons the same way an infant's face does. One example includes virtually all Spaniel breeds and many hounds. Small dogs with pushed-in faces have vocalizations that are similar to very young children with their underdeveloped sinuses.
Does this explanation cover every "freakish" breed? Of course not. But it is a plausible reason why many people will opt for a "non-functioning" dog. They don't want a dog, they want an animated, stuffed animal, baby-surrogate to get their endorphin rush.
Fascinating! You might be on to something!
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