Dogs

Living with Dogs

According to a study, less than 5 percent of dogs in shelters are pure breeds. A spectrum of temperaments can be found in these animals, just as dogs come in all sizes, shapes, and colors. A cute cocker spaniel might nip at your finger without thinking twice, whereas a bulldog might look fierce but be a good pet.

If children are taught to always exercise caution around a dog they do not know, they will be more careful. Kids should ask the dog’s owner for permission before playing with the animal. The dog will be more comfortable with a new person before reaching behind its head where it can’t see what you’re doing if you give it an outstretched hand. Children shouldn’t put their faces near the dog’s muzzle. Always put the Safety of Children First!

The yipping and tail-wagging your dog does when you grab a bag of treats is from when it needed to communicate with other members of its social group. A wild canine would prepare its sleeping area by digging at the carpet or a dog bed, and chasing sticks and balls might be linked to the pursuit of prey. Each time a dog stops to sniff a fire hydrant, it’s analyzing the urine left behind by the other dog.

We don’t take these behaviors for granted because our dogs are our best friends.

Dog Breeds

Since prehistoric times, people have been breeding animals. Domestic dogs were created by wolves, the earliest dog breeders. Dogs have been bred from the beginning to perform various tasks. Among the earliest jobs are hunting, guard dogs, and herding.

Humans have bred dogs to be best suited for the work expected of them. The sleek Greyhound types bred to chase fleet-footed prey, and the huge mastiff types used as guard dogs and warriors, are two ancient examples of dogs bred for specific jobs.

Dogs became more sophisticated as humans became more advanced. Breeds of dogs custom-bred to suit the local needs and circumstances emerged. The Irish Wolfhound and the dainty Italian Greyhound were created from the Greyhound. You’d never mistake one of the three for another.

When is a dog a breed and not just a type of dog? One of the simplest ways to define a breed is to say that it always “breeds true.” This means that if you breed an Irish Setter to another Irish Setter, they will be instantly recognizable as Irish Setters. Most people join a Kennel Club to learn more about the breeds of dogs that they are interested in.

Each breed’s ideal physical traits, movement, and temperament are set down in a document called a “breed standard.”

Many of the dogs you know and love are the result of breeding between individuals with certain desirable qualities. The ancient peoples began breeding dogs that were best able to survive and work in the cold. The family of sled dogs would include breeds such as huskies and malamutes that still exist today.

Humans bred German shepherds for their ability to herd livestock, Labrador retrievers for their ability to collect ducks, and sausage-shaped dachshunds for their ability to run after a badger. Home protection and vermin control are two of the human needs that were filled with more than one breed.