Darwins Dogs

Charles Darwin the voyager

Charles Darwin, was an English naturalist and geologist. He is best known for his contributions to the evolutionary theory. His established theory that all species of life descended over time from common ancestors has play a massive part of how see and study the life patterns of all species.

In 1831 recently graduated Darwin joined a five-year voyage aboard HMS Beagle that was set to encouraged his passion for natural science and lead him, which in turn established him as an eminent geologist.

Although the journey Darwin took established him as eminent naturalist and geologist, the fact is that Darwin was also a dog lover. In his lifetime he had reportedly owned 13 dogs and enjoyed their company both at home as a young boy right up to his adult years. Growing up in a time where dogs were an integral part of country life, controlling vermin, herded livestock, hunting prey and serving as the humans working companion.

Dogs played a massive part in Darwin’s early life, his work as a naturalist did not lead him to scientifically explore the Canine. However his life was affected by his experience with dogs, studying nature through the World of hunting. Through his early years Darwin immersed himself in the hunting field. The studying of the working dog which gave him a deeper understanding of this world both as a scientist and a participant. These interactions with working dogs was not without scientific impact though. Darwin questioned not only their behaviours but studied their role in nature, through from breeding to their relationships with nature.

Darwin was a great naturalist and his contribution to the evolutionary theory are undisputed and it seems that the dog provided Darwin important links in his studies. Darwin wrote, expressing hope that shared biological traits pointed to even stronger evolutionary ties between man and his best friend.