Dog Economics

Archaeologists, anthropologists, and evolutionary biologists study the origins of our relationship with dogs and how it has evolved over time. Sociologists and legal scholars study the roles of dogs in the modern family. Veterinarian researchers address the relationship in the context of professional practice, yet economists have produced scant scholarship on the relationship between humans and dogs. Dog Economics applies economic concepts to relationships between people and dogs to inform our understanding of their domestication. It interprets their contemporary role as both property and family members and explores factors that affect the demand for dogs as well as market failures of the American puppy market. Offering economic perspectives on our varied relationships with dogs, this book assesses mortality risks and addresses end-of-life issues that commonly arise. It develops a framework for classifying canine occupations, considers the impact of pet insurance on euthanasia, and assesses the social value of guide dogs.

• Introduces and applies the basic economic concepts useful for understanding human relationships with dogs
• Provides interesting applications for students in introductory economics courses making an excellent supplementary text for microeconomics
• Helps canine researchers identify potentially useful work in other fields and provides a policy-relevant framework for their contributions toward improving dog welfare
• Deepens dog lovers' understanding of the origin of the human-dog relationship and how it plays out in contemporary society