| Dogs Are Man's Best Friend | | | | strong resemblance to the wolf. There are many |
| Dogs are believed to be descendants of wild wolves. | | | | different breeds in existence today, from the short |
| They were the first wild animal to be tamed. Ancient | | | | haired Beagle and Boston Terrier to the long haired |
| man probably brought home cub wolves to raise as | | | | Cockers and Scotties. The Beagle may be better |
| pets. The pet wolves were also useful in driving | | | | suited to live in the city, while Setters or Collies may |
| away bears and other wild animals. One of the oldest | | | | be more comfortable in the country. The tallest dogs |
| known breed of dogs is the Salukis, which were bred | | | | are Great Danes and the Irish Wolfhound. They |
| by Egyptians thousands of years ago as hunting | | | | would probably be more comfortable in a place |
| dogs. Greyhounds and Dalmatians are also among the | | | | where they had a lot of room to run and play. |
| oldest breeds documented. | | | | In the United States, one out of three families owns |
| Over the centuries, people have found many ways | | | | one or more dogs. Most dogs live anywhere from |
| for dogs to be useful. Dogs helped to pull loads, herd | | | | eight to fifteen years. When dogs are one year old, |
| cattle and sheep, and guard their master and the | | | | they are as physically mature as a 15 year old human. |
| masters property. The Ancient Greeks developed | | | | Dogs can see some color but not as vividly as |
| tiny lap dogs, which were meant to be held in a ladys | | | | humans, thus they are considered color blind. Yet, |
| lap to help keep her stomach warm. Bulldogs with | | | | dogs can see much better in dim light than us. Dogs |
| huge jaws and short noses were developed so they | | | | have us beat in the category of smell, also. Their |
| could hang onto the throat of a bull and still be able | | | | sense of smell is up to one million times greater than |
| to breathe. In more recent years, dogs have been | | | | humans! |
| trained as seeing eye dogs for the blind. Dogs have | | | | Regardless of which kind of dog you choose- big, |
| also been recruited to work with law enforcement to | | | | little, smooth haired, shaggy, fast, slow, playful or |
| detect drugs and explosives. | | | | dignified, dogs make wonderful companions. Enjoy |
| Today many dogs, such as the Poodle or Chihuahua, | | | | their companionship and remember they need plenty |
| no longer resemble the wolf. Other dogs, such as the | | | | of love, attention, and petting to be happy! |
| Siberian Husky and the German Shepherd still show a | | | | |