We Were Wolves

Canine Genetic Manipulation

A Critical Design Perspective Humans have historically altered canine genetics for aesthetic and functional purposes, breeding dogs for hunting, tracking and companionship. While these modifications have achieved desired visual and practical results, they have also led to serious health problems, such as brachycephaly in English Bulldogs. The We Were Wolves project critically examines the breeding and genetic manipulation of domestic dogs, focusing on the evolutionary and health consequences for three popular breeds: the English Bulldog, the Dachshund, and the Chihuahua. These breeds are known for their appealing physical traits and behaviours, but suffer from severe genetic issues as a direct result of human intervention.

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Visualising Ancestral Traits and Medical Interventions 

We Were Wolves, created for the Perropolis exhibition, aims to promote critical thought and awareness about these practices. The project highlights how human intervention has distanced dogs from their ancestral form, the wolf. Through a series of prints, the project visualises possible adjustments to the affected breeds, using medical objects as symbolic tools. These objects are intended to restore the dogs' ancestral essence, bringing them closer to their lineage as wolves. 

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Creative and Research Team 

The creative direction for We Were Wolves was led by José de la O, with illustrations by Sofía Mendoza. The project also benefited from research contributions by MVZ Dipl. Cert. Silvia Viruega Ávalos, a veterinary physiotherapist and rehabilitation specialist. delaO design studio, the agency behind the project, is an award-winning creative agency based in Mexico City, specialising in design-driven research.