Moscow’s Wild Dogs Ride Subways To City Center In Search Of Food

Moscow Dog Naps On Train 1

Each morning, like clockwork, they board the subway, off to begin their daily routine amidst the hustle and bustle of the city.

But these aren’t just any daily commuters. These are stray dogs who live in the outskirts of Moscow Russia and commute on the underground trains to and from the city centre in search of food scraps.

Then after a hard day scavenging and begging on the streets, they hop back on the train and return to the suburbs where they spend the night.

Experts studying the dogs, who usually choose the quietest carriages at the front and back of the train, say they even work together to make sure they get off at the right stop – after learning to judge the length of time they need to spend on the train.

Scientists believe this phenomenon began after the Soviet Union collapsed in the 1990s, and Russia’s new capitalists moved industrial complexes from the city centre to the suburbs.

Dr Andrei Poiarkov, of the Moscow Ecology and Evolution Institute, said: “These complexes were used by homeless dogs as shelters, so the dogs had to move together with their houses. Because the best scavenging for food is in the city centre, the dogs had to learn how to travel on the subway – to get to the centre in the morning, then back home in the evening, just like people.”

Dr Poiarkov told how the dogs like to play during their daily commute. He said: “They jump on the train seconds before the doors shut, risking their tails getting jammed. They do it for fun. And sometimes they fall asleep and get off at the wrong stop.”

The dogs have also amazingly learned to use traffic lights to cross the road safely, said Dr Poiarkov. And they use cunning tactics to obtain tasty morsels of shawarma, a kebab-like snack popular in Moscow.

With children the dogs “play cute” by putting their heads on youngsters’ knees and staring pleadingly into their eyes to win sympathy – and scraps.

Dr Poiarkov added: “Dogs are surprisingly good psychologists.”

By Elaine Furst For Dog Files

Dog Naps On Moscow Train 2

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Srud04
Srud04
13 years ago

When I was in Bulgaria I saw the street dogs there look both ways before crossing the street. Very good at survival.

JollyDog
JollyDog
12 years ago
Reply to  Srud04

Dogs in Russia wait for the cross walks like everyone else.  No joke, I experienced it a ton of times.

BrianneVillano
13 years ago

Brilliant.

French6290
French6290
13 years ago

They don’t seem too “Wild” to me! Infact, they are better behaved and more socialized than your usual African-American Urban Ape or Illegal Mestizo.

Kathy
Kathy
13 years ago

Lets hope their goverment wont try to eradicate them and leave them be in peace. Or better yet, help up keep their vaccinations.

alicia r
13 years ago
Reply to  Kathy

How about we gather all these cute adorable puppies up in a great big happy bag, and bring them over to your house and put them in your front yard. That way they will be in “peace” and can share all of their wonderful happy diseases and parasites with your family. I’m sure you would love it. God I hate stupid people who say ignorant crap without thinking first.

Ksdoghugger
Ksdoghugger
12 years ago
Reply to  Kathy

Yes, because the priority for homeless dogs should be their vaccinations Not homes with people who could provide food-oh, and vaccinations

Lizzy
Lizzy
12 years ago
Reply to  Ksdoghugger

Actually, vaccinations and spaying/neutering tends to be a safer option for everyone- many stray dogs are wary of people and children. Some simply dislike living in homes, and taking all the strays out of an area simply leaves a place for more to come. Go look up a capture, vaccinate, alter, and release program if you want more information, which you seem to need.

Jimmygravitt2007
Jimmygravitt2007
12 years ago
Reply to  Lizzy

Hmmm… In a country with as much economical trouble as Russia, do we think that a top priority would be stray dogs who are obviously doing well, and possibly thriving? These dogs are doing better than some in Russia, and in a lot of parts of the world… Priorities anyone?

Suburbanbanshee
Suburbanbanshee
12 years ago

I’ve had a sick raccoon in my yard, and that was scary enough. One stray dog with rabies could quickly become a lot of rabid dogs. A lot of canine diseases are communicable, and could be caught by pets from the feral dogs. So yeah, I’m sure the Russian public health and wildlife authorities keep an eye on the health of feral dogs.

husakmusic
husakmusic
12 years ago

yeh but dogs are a little helpless, humans are just stupid. trapped into conformity  the poor are those who were trapped by society’s black hole of money and debt/ the willingly down trodden who would rather seek help from others than find salvation themselves. personally id help the dogs before any human race. id rather get bitten than stabbed in the back.

DerpDDDD
DerpDDDD
11 years ago
Reply to  husakmusic

I’m like FOUR DEEP!!!!

Austin H.
Austin H.
11 years ago
Reply to  husakmusic

Completely agreed. Eloquently spoken, my good man (or ma’am)

ryan
ryan
10 years ago

this statement has no evidence to back it up, the dogs are doing better than some people? really?

bugjackblue
bugjackblue
10 years ago

Dogs should take priority. Humans think human lives are in some way more valuable than those of other species, in that humans supposedly possess an intangible invisible ethereal “soul” or some such self-serving religious nonsense. Flesh is flesh, and for my money dogs are every bit as valuable, if not more so, than humans.

guest
guest
12 years ago
Reply to  Ksdoghugger

Dogs that have been homeless for years on end are unlikely to become household pets.

ARNOLD the Governor
ARNOLD the Governor
11 years ago
Reply to  guest

Shoot em all

Anjier
Anjier
12 years ago
Reply to  Ksdoghugger

oh and they are WILD so let them ride the subways AND live in homes with our children. Ksdoghugger, feral animals can NOT be trained to live in a home peacefully, just like wolves, lions, bears…

Cancooni
Cancooni
12 years ago
Reply to  Anjier

That’s not true. We have a dog that lived on the street. She moved in, behaved perfectly, never had accidents or has shown any sign of aggression to my wife or son.

You obviously have not worked with animals and do not know what you are talking about.

KARI MELISSA JOHN
KARI MELISSA JOHN
10 years ago
Reply to  Cancooni

Awww how kind you were to give this dog a home.

Oceyana
Oceyana
10 years ago
Reply to  Cancooni

Like Cancooni above me, we have had a street dog come to live with our family when I was a child. She was the leader of a pack of dogs and took to our home like she was meant to be there. She was protective of all who lived there and was one of the most gentle dogs I have EVER encountered.

Not all wild dogs are feral.

JollyDog
JollyDog
12 years ago
Reply to  Anjier

These dogs are still dogs.  It isn’t like they have lost the gene that makes them domestic, but they have become wild only by the situation they are put in.  Reversing that is possible, but not worth Russia’s money.

Sheila S. Stickland
Sheila S. Stickland
12 years ago
Reply to  JollyDog

You have the wrong name “JollyDog” it should be “IHATEDOGS”!

Kirt A White
10 years ago

No reason to be mean, all Jolly said was that it is possible for the dogs to be reintroduced into society, but the cost does not make it a priority for the Russian government. That does not make jolly a hater of dogs at all. Learn sentence structure before you start judging others posts.

Sheila S. Stickland
Sheila S. Stickland
12 years ago
Reply to  Anjier

Oh yes they can, you must be one of the people that believes all Pit Bull dogs are dangerous!  That is the same attitude people with prejudices against anyone who does not look, think, worship, or live their lives etc. according to your sense of how life should be lived justifies!

jb dean
jb dean
11 years ago
Reply to  Anjier

 Anjier, PLEASE do not lump anything by a label. It is a total lie that ALL wild/feral animals cannot be tamed and domesticated to make loving and safe pets. I have worked with domesticating feral cats for over 25 years and I have never had ONE that was not able to be tamed. Your comment is based on lack of info. Please, don’t spread your ignorance like you know it’s truth.

kiki
kiki
11 years ago
Reply to  Anjier

I have had 2 dogs that have lived in “wild” situations. The one I have now spent her life in a state park. She is living with us just fine. She took many months to train and settle down, but now you would never know she was a feral dog! Dogs were bred to live with us and want to please us. Nothing is impossible!

Bleem
Bleem
11 years ago
Reply to  Anjier

Same here, I have a dog that lived on the streets for most of her life (she looks exactly like the dog in the first picture) and she is a loving, very affectionate pet.

Mark Allen Tunney
10 years ago
Reply to  Anjier

You are an uninformed, ignorant person.

Chris Measor
10 years ago
Reply to  Anjier

I bet you’re racist too.

Kirt A White
10 years ago
Reply to  Anjier

That is not entirely accurate Anjier. Look up the Russian Fox project. It is scientifically proven that the aggressive traits that make feral animal can be bred out to make the subsequent generations more docile and tame.

JollyDog
JollyDog
12 years ago
Reply to  Ksdoghugger

Just wanted to give you a heads up.  These dogs are strays first and for most because people in Russia cannot provide homes for them.  Secondly, there are way more than 100,000 of them, and many are feral at this point.  I lived in St. Petersburg for 4 months, and they have the same problem there with stray dogs.  I love dogs, but in all honesty, for the safety of the people, many have to be put down.  The government doesn’t have the funding to take care of stray dogs much less the pensions of aging Russians. 

bugjackblue
bugjackblue
10 years ago
Reply to  JollyDog

For the safety of the people? It is my experience that one should never trust anyone who pretends to speak for the public good.

Informed
Informed
12 years ago
Reply to  Kathy

Vaccinations do not confer protection , go and read up a bit further about this subject rather than just assuming vaccination is a ‘God Send’ because it isn’t , for both pets & humans. What did we do prior to vaccinations ? We did not die in masses. Ask yourself why cancer is rife? Why under 5’s get Leukemia….vaccines represent an assult on the immune system , injection toxins directly into the blood stream is not ideal.

Roelinda Wielstra
12 years ago
Reply to  Informed

Before you say others should read up a bit further on this subject, just think about what you’re saying. vaccines are not toxins. They are simply weakened forms of viruses and bacteria. When vaccines enter the body, the white bloodcells detect them as being a foreign substance and the white bloodcells start making antibodies. These antibodies attach to the virus/bacterium, and this makes the pathogens unable to attach themselves to our cells, so they die.

And about dying in masses, sometimes in our history there’s a pathogen which causes mass deaths. For example, the plague, also known as the Black Death. This was before vaccines were invented (14th century). More recently, there have been some pandemics like avian flu or mexican flu. Many people have died because of these viruses, but not enough as to be named ‘mass deaths’.

I think you’re confused with antibiotics. These are chemicals that kill pathogens, instead of making our own body attack the pathogens.

Shirlsmid
Shirlsmid
12 years ago

There is no proven vaccination program that provides lifelong immunity. Vaccines carry suspensions that include mercury derivatives (carcinogens), animal proteins and synthetic substances. These bond to healthy cells and initiate growths that are not part of a healthy human body. Children pass out, suffer brain swelling, fever, vomiting and seizures immediately following vaccination. The immune system is not ever prepared to adapt to bacteria or viruses that are directly injected into the bloodstream, gaining access to all organs and tissues in the body, in less than a minute. 
European countries like France and Sweden, have banned several vaccine programs that are accepted in North America. Why? Because they have not been tested (only on albino rats) properly and because there is no scientific proof of immunity. Hundreds of doctors refuse to be vaccinated and their children also are not vaccinated–the risks of permanent damage, including onset juvenile diabetes, are too great.  I personally know two children who were normal before their 2 year DPT vaccine. Today, they are both so brain-damaged they can barely function socially. 

People really should look into the scientific research done, although unfortunately, governments usually deny funding to projects looking at the disastrous effects of vaccines.   

People died in masses before vaccines, they also died in masses before microwave ovens and automobiles. So maybe its the automobiles that “cured” us? No, duh. It’s simple.  It’s called HYGIENE.   For example, WWI casualties due to blood poisoning had dropped by over 80% because people started WASHING wounds with alcohol, etc., and keeping the patient clean. Tetanus was introduced; and what do you know? Casualties climbed back up again.  ??????

Sheila S. Stickland
Sheila S. Stickland
12 years ago
Reply to  Shirlsmid

HYGIENE!  Really, this is news to me, “Cancer” is caused by poor hygiene, does that mean it’s possible the parents of the children you know had poor hygiene for both themselves and their children?  You better educate them and their friends and family.

Suzi Hoekje
10 years ago
Reply to  Shirlsmid

Oh please. Put 10% of the effort into education that you do into parroting paranoid anti inoculation myth. Ask your grandparents about polio outbreaks up to the late 40’s. I’ll take a bit of thimersol with my polio vaccine thanks, in fact I’d take it with agent orange if that was the only way to get it. There’s a reason we’re routinely living to our 80’s instead of our 40’s which was common less than 200 years ago.

Sheila S. Stickland
Sheila S. Stickland
12 years ago

Fantastic response and very well expressed factual information!

Sheila S. Stickland
Sheila S. Stickland
12 years ago

Fantastic response and very well expressed factual information!

Sheila S. Stickland
Sheila S. Stickland
12 years ago

Fantastic response and very well expressed factual information!

KARI MELISSA JOHN
KARI MELISSA JOHN
10 years ago

Well said! Vaccines saved humans from huge epidemics!

PharmD
PharmD
12 years ago
Reply to  Informed

Last year, California (home state of Head Anti-Vaccine Idiot Jenny McCarthy, who has no medical training to speak of) had the highest number of pediatric deaths due to whooping cough in 60 years.  We invented vaccines, and indeed most medications, because people were dying due to illness.  They represent a minor challenge on the immune system that in turn prevents massive numbers of death due to illness. To say we did not die in masses prior to vaccinations proves that you are unmistakably an idiot (at best).  Perhaps look up rates of death due to polio, measles, or smallpox prior to our development of vaccines for these diseases, and stop supporting these fear-mongering amateur scientists who cause the needless risking of children’s lives due to these ignorant, and flat-out wrong, claims.  It is irresponsible, and dangerous. 

Patti
Patti
12 years ago
Reply to  Informed

We did die in masses before vaccines. 

mike mccoy
12 years ago
Reply to  Informed

have you ever heard of the plague?

Anonymous
Anonymous
12 years ago
Reply to  Informed

You’ve never heard of the black death, small pox, cholera, polio.,etc.  People did die in masses.  Smallpox killed millions in just one year.  I can remember the polio epidemics of the early fifties.  Around 3000 people died in 1952 in the United States.  Vaccinations were available by 1955 and since 1979 there have been no deaths from polio in the United States.  In fact, the only places where we find polio are where the people refuse the vaccinations because they believe them to be part of a Western plot.  Vaccines work with polio because it is an infectious disease.  Cancer is not.  Their pathologies are completely different.  It is unlikely that vaccines will have any significant effect on cancer.  Leukemia is also not infectious.  You cannot catch it from someone who has it.  No one really knows how leukemia works or why people contract it.  You call yourself “Informed” but you need to learn more what a vaccination actually is and what disease is infectious and what is not infectious.

 

Anonymous
Anonymous
12 years ago
Reply to  Informed

You’ve never heard of the black death, small pox, cholera, polio.,etc.  People did die in masses.  Smallpox killed millions in just one year.  I can remember the polio epidemics of the early fifties.  Around 3000 people died in 1952 in the United States.  Vaccinations were available by 1955 and since 1979 there have been no deaths from polio in the United States.  In fact, the only places where we find polio are where the people refuse the vaccinations because they believe them to be part of a Western plot.  Vaccines work with polio because it is an infectious disease.  Cancer is not.  Their pathologies are completely different.  It is unlikely that vaccines will have any significant effect on cancer.  Leukemia is also not infectious.  You cannot catch it from someone who has it.  No one really knows how leukemia works or why people contract it.  You call yourself “Informed” but you need to learn more what a vaccination actually is and what disease is infectious and what is not infectious.

 

Sheila S. Stickland
Sheila S. Stickland
12 years ago
Reply to  Informed

When was a vaccine discovered for Cancer?  Wow that’s great news, now not as many people will “Catch” cancer.  I hope they discover a vaccine for my disease “Transverse Myelitis” very soon then no baby will get the disease soon after birth.  People between the ages of birth to death will never have to know the pain or other sensory problems, weakness or paralysis of muscles, or bladder and bowel dysfunction that this disease causes.  Oh, do you know how many children have Polio today?

Sheila S. Stickland
Sheila S. Stickland
12 years ago
Reply to  Informed

When was a vaccine discovered for Cancer?  Wow that’s great news, now not as many people will “Catch” cancer.  I hope they discover a vaccine for my disease “Transverse Myelitis” very soon then no baby will get the disease soon after birth.  People between the ages of birth to death will never have to know the pain or other sensory problems, weakness or paralysis of muscles, or bladder and bowel dysfunction that this disease causes.  Oh, do you know how many children have Polio today?

Sheila S. Stickland
Sheila S. Stickland
12 years ago
Reply to  Informed

When was a vaccine discovered for Cancer?  Wow that’s great news, now not as many people will “Catch” cancer.  I hope they discover a vaccine for my disease “Transverse Myelitis” very soon then no baby will get the disease soon after birth.  People between the ages of birth to death will never have to know the pain or other sensory problems, weakness or paralysis of muscles, or bladder and bowel dysfunction that this disease causes.  Oh, do you know how many children have Polio today?

Bryan
Bryan
11 years ago
Reply to  Informed

I swear to all mighty spaghetti monster’s son, if my kids go to school with your kids and get measles because you believe in this nonsense and didn’t vaccinate your kids…Listen, I don’t know who you are. I don’t know what you want. But what I do have are a very particular set of skills; skills I have acquired over a very long career on the internet. Skills that make me a nightmare for people like you. If you vaccinate your kids now, that’ll be the end of it. I will not look for you, I will not pursue you. But if you don’t, and your disease-riddled kid infects my kid, I will look for you, I will find you, and I will kill you.

katg
katg
10 years ago
Reply to  Informed

I’m willing to bet you are under 30. Anyone who grew up and watched friends die or be forever crippled from polio, blinded by measles, etc., cannot know the relief that parents felt when vaccines were developed that could prevent these horrible diseases. I had whopping cough and almost died and I suffer with respiratory problems to this day. There is NO credible evidence that vaccines cause autism or other side effects on a mass scale. Any medication can have an adverse reaction, but as a parent I was willing to take that very 1 in a million chance that my child would have a reaction rather than see them struggle in an iron lung or wear braces for the rest of their life. When children begin again to come down with “childhood diseases” that sound so innocent, hysterical mothers will be flocking to doctors to have their children immunized. I truly hope it isn’t you.

Chris Measor
10 years ago
Reply to  Informed

Ever hear of the plague? Lepers? lol.. Naaaahh.. Nobody ever died in masses, hahahaha. Wow kid.

Anjier
Anjier
12 years ago
Reply to  Kathy

maybe they could at least alter them so they dont mate and create massive populations of subway riding scroungers

Anonymous
Anonymous
11 years ago
Reply to  Kathy

I must ask you where your opinion comes from regarding eradication. Also Thanks for be the person that took a fun conversation started by Srud and JollyDog and morphing that into a poorly research town hall debate about neutering and spaying, dog rights, vaccinations, euthanasia, government policy and any other thoughtless rants inspired by.

This was supposed to be a fun article about dogs ridding the subway, why you can’t just type “Cute” or “Fun” and move on is beyond me, and to the peanut gallery below, you’re equally if not more of an over opinionated idiot then Kathy Bolshevik over here.

Tamara Pogosian
11 years ago
Reply to  Kathy

at least they have the opportunity to advance that way there … good luck to a stray dog here getting on a train to nyc

NOLA
NOLA
13 years ago

French6290: you are an idiot racist

Kenn Bell
13 years ago
Reply to  NOLA

Sorry about that. The comment got by me. Deleted now.

Debbie Deal McGee
13 years ago

I can’t believe how smart these doggies are<3 It is wonderful they have the subways to ride so they do not have to walk so long in the cold, for food. I wish I was there to ride them with them. I would go BROKE buying doggie treats to feed as many as I was able.

alicia r
13 years ago

Judging by your picture. A: You need to walk, not ride. B: You could probably feed all of them with the food that you already purchase for yourself assuming dogs like McDonalds and bon-bons, which I assume is what your diet consists of.

Jax0is0cool
Jax0is0cool
12 years ago

dogs are inherently smart, this shouldn’t really surprise anyone.

Barkingdog1936
Barkingdog1936
12 years ago
Reply to  Jax0is0cool

So true.  Our little dog knows when it’s time for his evening eye drops and at 5:15 he lets me know it’s “dinner time”, etc.  Yeah, dumb animals, right.  He’ s smarter than lots of people.

Looloo333
Looloo333
13 years ago

I hope everyone does their part to help them, feed them, maybe find them homes. Just as equal to homeless people, they dont deserve to live that way………….please help them……….they deserve to be loved.

alicia r
13 years ago
Reply to  Looloo333

LOL, are you serious?????? First, it’s a dog, not a human, it’s a wild animal, it is in no way, shape or form equally deserving of anything. Second, if we are to assume that it is as equally deserving as a homeless person, are you implying that we take very good care of homeless people? Last I checked, homeless people live under overpasses and stand at street corners begging for money. If you are some humanitarian hippy POS, then walk up to the next homeless person you see, give them a great big hug and invite them to come live with you. Otherwise STFU!!!!

Okami
Okami
13 years ago
Reply to  Looloo333

With wild animals, even if they are just dogs, it isn’t always best for people to bring them into their home. Domesticated dogs that have been abandoned at shelters for too long forget what living in a house is like and become terrified of the new enviroment. Also, if everyone fed the dogs, they may lose their wonderful abilities of survival. They seem to be doing just fine on their own, judging by the pics they certainly arent starving.

Okami
Okami
13 years ago
Reply to  Looloo333

With wild animals, even if they are just dogs, it isn’t always best for people to bring them into their home. Domesticated dogs that have been abandoned at shelters for too long forget what living in a house is like and become terrified of the new enviroment. Also, if everyone fed the dogs, they may lose their wonderful abilities of survival. They seem to be doing just fine on their own, judging by the pics they certainly arent starving.

Kellyb123
Kellyb123
13 years ago
Reply to  Okami

dogs are still dogs. they live in the moment. they do not remember yesterday. all dogs can be rehabilitated.. more humans should be doing someithing about these dogs that roam ….. its not right.

Cleo_00123
Cleo_00123
13 years ago
Reply to  Kellyb123

Not “all” dogs can be rehabilitated. Obviously it seems these dogs are peaceful and comfortable enough to be around humans so they’re probably fine, but no one should assume that any dog on the street can go into any household. If an animal is abused, it may eventually develop a distrust of humans so deep it can never be fixed: and that’s because they don’t want to get hurt again. These dogs need to be left be because they aren’t causing trouble as far as this article describes, and like Okami says (btw, I’m playing the games okami and okamiden now!) just like how they learned to be so resourceful, if they’re messed with too much then they might alter their behavior. People should appreciate the dogs and respect them, but unless there is something obviously wrong with them then no other action should be taken: and any action taken should be done by professionals who know how to asses a dog’s mentality and health and decide if the dog IS safe enough to be going around, either for its own or others’ safety. If the dog wants your attention, it’ll come to you; you shouldn’t feed wild animals but if they want your attention (like how the article says some of them will rest their heads on childrens’ laps once it finds areas with food) then a pat on the head is probably fine, but if they aren’t begging for food on the subways then you shouldn’t tempt it by bringing treats. It’s better for you AND the dog.

Cleo_00123
Cleo_00123
13 years ago
Reply to  Kellyb123

Not “all” dogs can be rehabilitated. Obviously it seems these dogs are peaceful and comfortable enough to be around humans so they’re probably fine, but no one should assume that any dog on the street can go into any household. If an animal is abused, it may eventually develop a distrust of humans so deep it can never be fixed: and that’s because they don’t want to get hurt again. These dogs need to be left be because they aren’t causing trouble as far as this article describes, and like Okami says (btw, I’m playing the games okami and okamiden now!) just like how they learned to be so resourceful, if they’re messed with too much then they might alter their behavior. People should appreciate the dogs and respect them, but unless there is something obviously wrong with them then no other action should be taken: and any action taken should be done by professionals who know how to asses a dog’s mentality and health and decide if the dog IS safe enough to be going around, either for its own or others’ safety. If the dog wants your attention, it’ll come to you; you shouldn’t feed wild animals but if they want your attention (like how the article says some of them will rest their heads on childrens’ laps once it finds areas with food) then a pat on the head is probably fine, but if they aren’t begging for food on the subways then you shouldn’t tempt it by bringing treats. It’s better for you AND the dog.

thinkagain
thinkagain
12 years ago
Reply to  Kellyb123

they do have memories, just because we cannot speak to them in their language and communicate with them does not mean they lack the ability to learn and to remember. If they didn’t remember they day before they would lack the capability to learn and therefore would not easily survive. So they do have memories however unlike humans, they often don’t seek revenge for bad things, hurt themselves to try and feel better, and they move on with their lives. They are much more forgiving then humans are. That is what makes them live in the moment. Not what makes them forget the previous day. They don’t count days like humans it probably just all runs into one and they have their own schedule. 

Sheila S. Stickland
Sheila S. Stickland
12 years ago
Reply to  thinkagain

They do not hold grudges like humans, they let cruelty by others go, and love the person who is patient and loving with them.  You are very correct “they do have memories”!

Optat1vely
Optat1vely
13 years ago

@looloo333: I think if these dogs are smart enough to learn all they have learned so far, they would have been able to search for love if they wanted any. I am an advent animal lover, but I also believe that sometimes, what is, must be. These dogs have been homeless for so long, I don’t even think they know what a home really is, except for what they got. Take an injured lion out of the wild, nurse it back to health, but you got to put the lion back into the wild sooner or later. It’s nature and it’s life!

Nancy
Nancy
13 years ago

It’s amazing the intelligence that all animals have. Nancy

Nancy
Nancy
13 years ago

It’s amazing the intelligence that all animals have. Nancy

mah
mah
13 years ago

This is good that they are free but I wish they all had homes 🙁

Kellyb
Kellyb
13 years ago
Reply to  mah

i agree with you

Jaclyn Carter
10 years ago
Reply to  mah

They seem to be having fun. Perhaps moreso than if they were trapped in someone’s small backyard all day like too many dogs are.

mah
mah
13 years ago

This is good that they are free but I wish they all had homes 🙁

Miss Molly
13 years ago

It is heartbraking to see how many dogs (and cats) in this world have to live like this. I am a lucky dog with a great home and people who will never abandon me. NEVER. They even take care of the strays in the world as much as they can and write about it too. I know how lucky I am and cherish every moment.

You are not a dog
You are not a dog
12 years ago
Reply to  Miss Molly

 No, you are a person pretending to speak for your dog on the internet. Duh.

Dog
Dog
12 years ago

No, she is an WEIRD person that is pretending to speak for their dog on the Internet.

How can she even know that her dog has consented to this false representation. Falsely impersonating another person is a crime.

If her dog knew what she was doing it would be ashamed.

Sheila S. Stickland
Sheila S. Stickland
12 years ago
Reply to  Dog

First, how do you know the person doing the writing for Miss Molly is a “she”?  Second, “Falsely impersonating a person is a crime”, I have never heard about a law that makes it illegal to write under an assumed name.

Kalekka
Kalekka
13 years ago

I think these pups are brilliant. It’s sad, however, that they have adapted to be like this rather than be in homes….however I do not share the sentiment that they NEED to be rehabilitated into human homes and families. They have simply become part of the cities “wildlife”. much like pigeons, squirrels, rats, etc…. Them being cute, furry, and an animal that we commonly associate with “pet” doesn’t make them any less wild. You don’t see people wanting to adopt all the bears in a national park, they are dangerous right? But they have learned the trails, commute, campgrounds, etc…of human socialization. They do remarkable smart things to obtain the proverbial “pic-a-nic basket”. But we don’t want them living in our homes. Wild is wild. Whether it’s stray feral cats, these brilliants pups, bears, pigeons, squirrels, or rats. They adapt to the environment they are given.

sentientdogs
12 years ago

Highly Recommend a book that has the entire thesis that dogs are scavengers. It’s fascinating. The book is called ;
Dogs: A Startling New Understanding
of Canine Origin, Behavior & Evolution
by Raymond and Lorna Coppinger
I’ve read it a few times and he’s studied scavenging dogs, nomadic dogs all over the world

Jcritter
Jcritter
12 years ago

I, like others above, agree that they may be doing just fine as is. HOWEVER, one thing not mentioned: these dogs should be briefly captured, & spayed, to prevent future generations of “homeless” dogs.
I have 3 rescue dogs, 3 rescue cats, 2 rescue birds, 1 rescue rabbit, 1 rescue chinchilla ( are you seeing a pattern?) & the FIRST thing I did with ALL of the animals that came into my care was to get them spayed.
this situation would not have occurred if people would be responsible pet owners in the first place

AmericanMustard
AmericanMustard
12 years ago

So my dog apparrently has been enabled to play dumb! I can’t get her to watch traffic or look both ways!
These dogs are amazing. But I am also amazed at how tollerent the society is of them. Kudos Russia.

Anonymous
Anonymous
12 years ago

My best friends are dogs. I think they are as smart as anyone, and smarter than many humans I’ve met!

Cindy5
Cindy5
12 years ago

what wonderful smart dogs aww god bless them

Dawntysondog
Dawntysondog
12 years ago

Please keep these dogs safe, it goes to prove their intelligence is grater than we think, people of Russia embrace and care for these great doggies.

Martin the Miserable
12 years ago

I’ve seen geese behave as crossing guards when crossing busy streets in California and dogs are substantially smarter than geese so thats not as shocking.

Dave
12 years ago

It is advisable that dog owners start learning how to take care of their dogs and how to feed them. This reduces the number of homeless dogs

TamayaL
TamayaL
12 years ago

Try reading Merle’s Door by Ted Kerasote. It is about a dog who shoose him and he let it live as natural a life as possible.
We treat dogs as stupid, animals we need to control. All of our rules and babying make them stupid because they don’t learn for themselves.

The List Ninja
12 years ago

Wow, poor babies, is this for real? Someone feed them and take them home!

Crotcad2006
Crotcad2006
12 years ago

we are chinese people we will take any stray dogs you dont want  yum yum munch munch and make soup from bones ,coats from fur ,tankee pleese

Conaught Delhi
12 years ago

Animals are more intelligent….

Mary-Catherine Hayes
12 years ago

I had heard about this when I was living in Moscow.  My friends and I thought it was just an urban legend until I saw a dog get off the metro one day.  These dogs seem well fed.  People in Moscow are more likely to give food to a homeless dog than a homeless person.

Kelhay
Kelhay
12 years ago

I think it is kind of funny that people forget that humans domesticated dogs. Dogs are all wild at heart and for these dogs to figure out the system of survival is just natural to them. Yes it is sad they don’t have homes but maybe this is the life they would rather live. Being free to live as they once did in the wild.  Kudos to this wonderfully smart dogs!!

Skye5697
Skye5697
12 years ago

Dogs.When u think about it why do we question their intelligence at all..they adapt to their enviroments to survive.If u dont bend you break.

Buglady
Buglady
12 years ago

People shouldn’t take the dogs home. They might be homeless by choice. Just like how there are some people who are homeless because they want to be.

Mystere de la Nuit
12 years ago

See, this kind of attentiveness and caring is why I need a dog. (Would help with my emotional issues right now, too.) They’re endlessly intelligent, especially the larger dogs, caring, and helpful. Sounds like these Russian strays have formed a great, supportive pack. And I’m sure the children are a main source of food. ^.^ Toddlers love to share treats. 

This is really cool, and they do seem to be doing pretty well for themselves.

The thing about taking one of these dogs in would likely be removing them from their pack. It can cause the same emotional stress as being separated from your family. I’d bet you could get a few of them to stay with you at night and such if you fed them regularly. They’d probably join back up with the pack during the days, though. Sounds pretty fun for the dog to me.

Anita khanna
12 years ago

Really nice

Respect4dogs
Respect4dogs
12 years ago

I think these dogs shouldn´t be bothered, they are doing their own thing… They are doing what dogs love: being outdoors walking, smelling, following a specific route to get food, avoiding dangers, in brief words, their are working. Their brains are processing information all day long, they do not get bored, they are active dogs.. I think that is much better for their physical and mental health than being stuck in an apartment bored to the bone alone waiting for their “owners” to get home and play with them for 10 minutes. I know there are good people that treat their dogs with respect and love, but the big mayority just see them as a piece of furniture or even worse, a disposable toy.. So these dogs would be happy in warm, loving homes, I know, but if they wanted so, they would follow the first person who treat them kind on the streets to get a home or at least food, remember, they are smart, but it seems they are used to do what they need to survive and they are comfortable with that. I think the only action people (government or other institutions) should take, is to do a spaying and a vaccination program, that is what every single dog in the entire world deserves, both stray and home dogs..  there is a dog overpopulation already, and there is no need to increase the number of abused dogs.

Dravadog
Dravadog
12 years ago

In soviet russia, dog rides subway

Ins
Ins
12 years ago

I’ve seen stray dogs in Athens obey traffic lights before. Also, I’ve heard that the Moscow dogs have another tactic where they will wait for people to buy a shawarma then come up behind them and bark loudly so the person will drop it.

Squatch
12 years ago

I wonder what another Russian (Pavlov) would conclude after witnessing this pooch behavior? I am always astounded by our best friend’s ability to modify human behavior for either their pleasure, or survival. Pavlov’s subjects were most likely accommodating his bell ringing, with a full knowledge that his excitement at observing their salivation was a condition brought on by their actions, and were quite aware that food was forthcoming!

Katybblue
Katybblue
12 years ago

It’s time for people to be reminded that they aren’t the only living creatures trying to survive in this world. Good dogs!!

Guido Laroma
Guido Laroma
12 years ago

i h ave a dog calle d emma. she hates thunder and fireworks.guido laroma

Floris56
Floris56
12 years ago

Dog intelligence never ceases to amaze me.  Cats are not dumb by anyh means, either.  But the difference between the two animals is also hard to understand.

Sheila S. Stickland
Sheila S. Stickland
12 years ago
Reply to  Floris56

Cat just don’t want to be babied, dogs love to be rubbed, and babied.  This is what my vet said when I wanted to know why you could teach a dog to come when called and a cat looks at you like “I’ll get back to you later if I feel like having company”!

Sam
Sam
11 years ago

You are the most annoying person on the Internet.  Congratulations!

HpPea
HpPea
11 years ago

did anybody else read ALL of the comments? I was quite impressed by the debate on whether stray dogs should be vaccinated by the government, not just their cuteness.

KayVee
KayVee
11 years ago

I like how in the last picture, everyone is sitting around adoring the sleeping dog. Its nice to see people appreciating animals 🙂

DerpDDDD
DerpDDDD
11 years ago

I say we shoot them all.  Dirty savage beasts.  

Anonymous
Anonymous
11 years ago

 For all the comments above regarding vaccinations, spaying and neutering, stray dogs rights, the claim that their government will “eradicate them” and other debate topics. Can you people please go back to ruining gawker, or just go away in general Why you can just type “cute” or “cool”, then move on is beyond me. Quit turning an article about dogs riding the subway into a discussion about ethics nobody cares.

Also COOL!

Guest
Guest
11 years ago

i love that dog its so cute and its sad that its home less i hope it gets a home someday!  :'(

Claire Bear
Claire Bear
11 years ago

feed them! i would bring food everyday on the train if i saw them. they have no/crappy animal services in Greece too, so every time i go there, i feed every cat and dog i see while i’m there.

Rease Kirchner
11 years ago

This is so sad, but also incredible. I love how smart and resourceful dogs are.

dennis natrayon
11 years ago

love how how no matter what article I read,there’s always an argument that erupts. I can talk about taking a shit a certain way and i’ll probably get critiqued on it. Love this article by the way. Stray dogs here in Thailand have similar behaviors, crossing the street, etc. but canine subway commute is amazing.

Anabelle Oliveros
11 years ago

this simply breaks my heart and at the same time can’t help adore these intelligent dogs. i would love to keep them. 🙂

Olivia Mayes
11 years ago

So sweet but so sad at the same time 🙁

Dominic Alfred Besa
10 years ago

Awesome

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