http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/dog/index.html http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/schedule_airdates.html
"NATURE's two-part special DOGS THAT CHANGED THE WORLD tells the epic
story of the wolf's evolution, how "man's best friend" changed human
society and we in turn have radically transformed dogs.
Part one, "The Rise of the Dog," premieres Sunday, April 22 at 8 p.m.
(ET) on PBS.
Part two, "Dogs by Design," premieres Sunday, April 29 at 8 p.m. (ET)
on PBS (check local listings for both broadcasts).
From the tiniest Chihuahua to the powerful and massive English
Mastiff, modern domesticated dogs come in a bewildering array of
shapes and sizes, with an equally diverse range of temperaments and
behaviors. And yet, according to genetics, all dogs evolved from the
savage and wild wolf-in a transformation that occurred just 15,000
years ago.
In THE RISE OF THE DOG, you'll learn about how the domestication of
dogs might have taken place, including the theory of biologist
Raymond Coppinger that it was the animals themselves-and human trash-
that inspired the transformation. The genetic analysis of Peter
Savolainen of the Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden has placed
the origins of domesticated dogs-and those of the first dog-in East
Asia. You'll also discover 14 dog breeds that controversial genetic
studies show are the most ancient-and the best living representatives
of the ancestors to all living dogs.
As a special bonus, the producers of NATURE have created an exclusive
podcast for our online users. In this exclusive video,
producer/director Corinna Faith discusses the challenges of filming
dogs in remote locations around the world, including sled dogs in the
Arctic, singing dogs in Papua New Guinea and sheepdogs in the
Scottish fells.
Don't miss this exclusive behind the scenes look at the film."