By the good grace: the moral treatment of the domesticated dog in art and society

This research uses the focus on the relationship between domesticated dogs and humans in order to generate ethical studio practice and guidelines for the exhibition of art works. Conflicting ideas about the appropriate treatment of domesticated dogs are revealed through investigation into the interactions between humans and dogs. Here, a belief in human supremacy is shown to often negate the basic acknowledgement that dogs have rights as sentient beings. This investigation has elicited a number of guidelines that are applicable to human relationships with dogs whether in the treatment of dogs or in their representation. When humans or artists utilise the innate qualities of dogs, the relationship can be considered exploitative. Such use should not just benefit the human,it should also not harm the dog, as the welfare of dogs should not be over ruled by human needs and desires. Accordingly, this exegesis researches early philosophical views, which allowed ill-treatment of dogs and examines the artistic representation of dogs by specific artists and groups throughout Western art history. Historical ideas around the character of dogs have been challenged through contemporary philosophical concepts, which outline the rights of dogs and demonstrate the need to rethink unethical attitudes towards dogs, which are historically or religiously based.