It is the cultural development of canine races that compel me to continue my tenure as an armchair caninologist. My podium, adorned with degrees from a Crackerjack box sits as a fixed & teeny monument to this singular pursuit. This then, is the micro-study of human French Shepherds or "Tchangues" ("big legs") & fleetingly, their dogs. The startling & surreal antique fotos from SW France are enough to grab anyone's attention! Ethnically attired people on stilts in the flat-lands, surrounded by sheep (it's fodder for an album cover). But the marshy landscape of SW France required a "lifted" approach for the shepherd. How else to surveil & supervise one's flock? Therefore, the shepherd had his pair of stilts & an elongated shepherd's staff & voila-a tripod. The rest is his-story. Did I mention that they often knitted while astride? Or that knitting was strictly a past-time for male society? Oh, the dogs themselves...I almost forgot! The how's & why's of the dog's uses, colours, coats & temperaments in society is intrinsically connected to their roles in our lives today. This is why I am here & what moved me to obtain my dogtorate. Scroll down, please... Some believe that the above dogs are of Dutch &/or Belgian origin. Whatever the case & as is usual...once a culture modifies & moulds a type of animal for a distinct purpose, the animal becomes specialised, remodeled & therefore, intentionally bred. This is a fixed cultural state-a living preservation. Everything came from somewhere. Right? So, I am calling the 3 dogs above: "French Herding Dogs"...yes...I can see the relationship between the Dutch & Belgian influence...(see below). Can you? Comments are closed.
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AuthorHowl-O! I'm Julia Jensen- devoted student of dogs & religious sampler of cheesecake, wheat beer, huehuetenango coffee & almost any chocolate out there. I indulge these fancies & more, in the remote silence of the pacific NW. *PLEASE NOTE* The videos selected for bloghism could be construed as "disturbing" to those of certain bents, sensitivities, natures, mind-sets, etc.. I have a distinct interest in relaying footage of dogs doing what they have been doing for centuries....& in some cases, I also include dog show footage just as a matter of interest. If you do not like my selections, by all means, do not view them. Archives
June 2024
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