Re: Is this evidence of altruism in dogs?

On 2008-06-26, Cj <Cj@xxxxxxxx> wrote:

Yes. A blind dog cannot respond to the body language of other dogs.
Since pack leadership (almost equals dominance) virtually requires that
the Alpha ignore the body language of subordinates the blind dog is
automatically exhibiting the body language of a dominant (Alpha) dog.
In theory a blind dog could represent a very dominant Alpha temporarily;
this would only last until the rest of the "pack" realized that the
blind dog was responding inappropriately to other body language signals
unrelated to dominance.
Cj


This certainly sounds likely, although I seem to remember seeint a TV
programme about wolves which said that they tended to protect an injured
pack member -- but I may be misremembering.

Anthony


--
Anthony Campbell - ac@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Microsoft-free zone - Using Debian GNU/Linux
http://www.acampbell.org.uk (blog, book reviews,
and sceptical articles)


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