Let’s say that some eccentric rich guy in 1810 decides he wants to tame Bears. After hearing of Lewis and Clark report all kinds of big game animals out West, he pays to have over a hundred Grizzly Bears brought out by where ever he lives. He is convinced that he can successfully selectively breed them like a dog to get the behavior he wants, and he squanders his families money over next 50 years trying to accomplish that by paying people to selectively breed them . After he dies, the project is in danger, but due to a clerical error the employees are given a grant by the government to continue the project. By the early 1900s, the error is noticed, but a Robber Baron who is from the area funds it until the 1960s, at which point they get local government funding and supplement it with tourism.
By around 2000, they have 40 generations of Bears and are about as domesticated as the Silver Fox.
If they begin to sell domesticated Brown Bears at that point, would they be able to serve any cost effective job? Using their scent, or working security? Or would they just be something for wealthy rural hobbyist around the world along with a status symbol? What kind of price would you expect them to go for?
By around 2000, they have 40 generations of Bears and are about as domesticated as the Silver Fox.
If they begin to sell domesticated Brown Bears at that point, would they be able to serve any cost effective job? Using their scent, or working security? Or would they just be something for wealthy rural hobbyist around the world along with a status symbol? What kind of price would you expect them to go for?
