How Dogs Became Man's Best Friend






by Carole Ashley


Before there were dogs, there were untamed wolves roaming prehistoric forests. These animals were among the first to be bred as pets. Early humans would bring them home and use them for companionship and protection. The wolf cubs would grow up and become tough guards against bigger animals like bears. For instance, the Saluki, which is one of the world's oldest breeds, started as a hunting dog in ancient Egypt. Other age-old dog breeds include the Dalmatian and Greyhound.

Dogs have been of service to humans for centuries, and continue to be helpful. For instance, dogs have been used as guardians of life, limb and material possession, as well as working animals moving heavy loads around. There have even been oddball uses of dogs, like the miniature "lap dogs" of the Ancient Greeks. Non-conventional bulldogs were developed in the past, possessing slightly different facial characteristics that would allow them to grasp a bull's throat successfully. In the past few decades, "Seeing Eye" dogs have been trained to guide blind people. And there are also police-trained dogs who can sniff out drugs and explosives.

Certain dogs, like the Chihuahua and the Poodle, have totally different appearances than their wolf ancestors. There are others like the German Shepherd and Siberian Husky that still look very related to wolves, though. These days, there are practically thousands of dog breeds and varieties, with different sizes (i.e. the small Beagle and the larger Irish Setter), features and purposes. A dog like the Beagle can adjust well to city living, while active dogs like Collies and Irish Setters are best for the country. Standing around three feet tall, Great Danes and Irish Wolfhounds are the tallest dogs. These dogs are best suited for an environment with a lot of outside space for their active personalities.

A third of American families own dogs, according to a recent survey. A dog's lifespan is usually between eight and fifteen years. A dog exactly one year old is comparable to a human aged fifteen. Dogs aren't too perceptive in detecting colors, and can be categorized as color blind. They make up for it with good vision in the dark. Dogs are also better - much better - in smelling things. They can smell things about a million times better than human beings.

A dog, most of all, is considered man's best friend from the animal kingdom due to its loyalty and companionship, just as it was ages ago. Treat your dog properly and give it the right amount of care, attention and love that it needs.




About the Author: