Dogopolis: How Dogs and Humans Made Modern New York, London, and Paris

Chris Pearsons Dogopolis argues that human-canine relations were a crucial factor in the formation of modern urban living, focusing on New York, London, and Paris from the early nineteenth century to the 1930s. He shows that cities had to respond to peoples fear of dogs and revulsion at their least desirable traits, while human compassion and affection for pets and strays were equally powerful forces in shaping urban modernity.

Format: Hardback
Length: 248 pages
Publication date: 14 September 2021
Publisher: The University of Chicago Press

Strolling through any American or European city today, it's almost impossible to avoid encountering a dog being taken for a walk. These domesticated animals are expected to effortlessly navigate sidewalks, streets, and other fundamental elements of our built environment. However, what if our cities were actually shaped in response to dogs more than we ever realized?

Chris Pearsons Dogopolis makes a bold and compelling assertion that human-canine relations played a crucial role in shaping modern urban living. Pearson focuses on New York, London, and Paris from the early nineteenth century to the 1930s, demonstrating how human reactions to dogs significantly remolded these cities and other contemporary Western urban centers. It's an undeniable fact that dogs, often filthy, bellicose, and sometimes off-putting, roam freely, spreading rabies, defecating, and breeding wherever they please. As dogs became more prevalent in nineteenth-century middle-class life, cities had to address people's fear of them and their revulsion towards their less desirable traits.

The gradual integration of dogs into city life centered on disgust at dirt, fear of crime and vagrancy, and the promotion of humanitarian sentiments. On the other hand, dogs are cherished animal companions for many people, and human compassion and affection for pets and strays were equally powerful forces in shaping urban modernity. Dogopolis delves into the intricate interrelationships among emotions, sentiment, and the ways we express our feelings toward what we love, revealing that together, they can reshape society.

In conclusion, Pearsons Dogopolis offers a fascinating perspective on the role of dogs in shaping our cities. By examining the complex interplay between humans and dogs, the book sheds light on the ways in which our urban environments have been influenced by these beloved companions. Whether we view dogs as a nuisance or a source of joy, their presence in our cities has undoubtedly left a lasting impact, and it's worth exploring further the ways in which our cities can be designed to be more dog-friendly in the future.

Weight: 540g
Dimension: 159 x 236 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780226796994