Environmental influences on the construction of human-dog relations: Insights from Northern Mexico and the North American Arctic
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: For centuries, dogs have played an integral role in human lives, serving as companions, protectors, food sources, and many other roles. However, their ultimate perception was highly predicated on the social, ideological, and environmental circumstances of the cultures they lived in. Through analyzing canid faunal remains, ethnographies, and ethnohistoric depictions of dogs this paper aims to compare dogs’ roles within Northern Mexico and the North American Arctic, two regions with vastly different environments. By utilizing a cross-cultural approach and examining the similarities and differences in dogs’ treatment within the study regions, we argue that environmental factors cannot be discounted when analyzing the development of human-dog relations.
Source: Journal of Social Archaeology
Authors: Ellen R. Pacheco, Shelby M. Patrick
Institution: University of Toronto
Language: English
Subfield: Genetics
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,650
OpenAlex ID: W7130509078