The relationship between humans and dogs dates back at least 25,000 years, with early evidence suggesting joint activities, such as standing together near cave paintings. This deep connection has been explored in Thomas W. Laqueur's book, "The Dog's Gaze," which examines why dogs feature more prominently than other animals in human depictions throughout history. Dogs have served multiple roles, from hunting companions and guardians to pampered pets, consistently bearing witness to human life.
Throughout history, dogs have been a recurring motif in art. In medieval paintings, a canine presence is often noted, adding to the composition, humor, or pathos of a scene. Laqueur suggests that dogs "humanize humans" by fulfilling an emotional role. An example cited is Homer's "The Odyssey," where Odysseus's loyal dog, Argos, is the only living creature to recognize him upon his return after 20 years, wagging its tail before dying. This devotion illustrates the emotional support dogs provide.
Laqueur's work delves into the zoological and anthropological research that explains how dogs were socialized by humans and, in turn, softened human behavior, leading to a mutually beneficial evolution across various cultures. The "dog's gaze" itself is seen as a reflection of this shared existence.
In art, the dog's direct engagement with the viewer is notable. In Jan Van Eyck's "The Arnolfini Portrait," the small dog positioned at the front looks directly out at the audience, often interpreted as a symbol of fidelity or a representation of home. Regardless of the specific interpretation, portraits throughout history show individuals choosing to be depicted with their canine companions, showcasing a variety of expressions from the dog's attentive gaze to its protective stance.
The book also addresses the darker aspects of this relationship, including the use of dogs for aggressive purposes and the ethical concerns surrounding animal experimentation. Laqueur also includes personal reflections, sharing photographs of his family with their dogs and noting that his own Weimaraner, Rudi, was a constant companion during the writing of the book. The volume concludes by referencing writer Franz Kafka, who, through his German Shepherd, suggested that "All knowledge, the totality of all questions and all answers, is contained within the dog."