Dogs

Man's Best Friend

Coming in all shapes and sizes, dogs are undoubtedly the best pets in the world! As man's most loyal best friend, dogs are a continuous source of happiness and offer people one of the closest bonds they will ever have in their lives. There have been many famous dogs in the past which have shown how fearless and devoted canines are to their human leaders including Balto the famous Siberian Husky sled dog who transported the diphtheria antitoxin serum to Alaska to combat an outbreak of disease. Another famous name is Barry, the St. Bernard who worked as a mountain rescue dog for the monastery at the Great St Bernard Pass. Barry saved over 40 lives by venturing where humans could not.

With fantastic sight, smell and hearing, dogs are highly intelligent animals which are capable of hearing, seeing and smelling far more things than humans are capable of, making them fantastic hunting animals and are also of extreme importance for national security. Around the world, dogs are now movie stars, sniffer dogs, part of the police force and provide love and entertainment to those in hospital.

Different Dog Breed Types

Having a pet dog is one of the most rewarding experiences for a person to have however choosing which dog to own can be difficult. Different types of dogs possess different temperaments and have different needs. There are 13 main types of dogs ranging from toy size "accessories" to miniature size "horses".

Gun Dogs: Originally bred to help hunters and retrieve game, these dogs are split into three different categories; retrieving, flushing and pointing breeds.

Retrieving Dogs: Bred to retrieve a downed bird, these dogs love games of fetch and are fantastic with young children. As they were required to carry whole birds without damaging them, these dogs were required to possess "soft mouths" making them safe around children. E.g. Golden Retrievers and Weimaraners.

Pointing Dogs: These dogs are bred and trained to sniff out game, drop and point with one leg towards the game. E.g. English Pointers and German Pointers.

Herding Dogs: Developed to herd animals on farms, these types of dog include cattle and sheep herders such as the Koolie and Australian Kelpie. Different dogs possessed different skills, Kelpies were able to run along the backs of sheep, Border Collies used the eye to stare method of controlling their herds whereas Blue Heelers nip the heels of herds to steer them in the right path. These dogs are intelligent and possess speed and endurance which require a lot of exercise.

Hound Dogs: These dogs have the best ability to cooperate with humans and are devoted to their masters. There are two types of hounds, sight hounds and scent hounds which use either sense to pursue running animals. E.g. Greyhounds and Rhodesian Ridgebacks.

Livestock Guardian Dogs: These dogs are bred to independently live with and guard livestock. Rather than control the movement of the herd, they serve as protection against predators. As they are protective and independent animals, these dogs are less suited to suburbia as they need room to roam around in. E.g. Spanish Mastiff and Belgian Shepherd.

Molosser Type Dogs: These large, solid built dogs originate from Molossia, a country which once existed in Western Greece. The most famous dogs in this group would be the Mastiffs but Great Danes are also included.

Setter Dogs: Used for hunting game, setters search for game silently by scent and once detected, the dog will freeze, indicating that it has found something. These are very playful dogs great for families. E.g. English Setter.

Spaniel Dogs: These smaller/medium sized dogs possess long coats and drop ears which are used for bird hunting. Spaniels are divided into land, field and water types, depending on where they were required to hunt. E.g. Cocker Spaniel and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

Spitz Type Dogs: These unique dogs are identified by long, thick white fur, pointed ears and muzzle and a curled tail. They originate from the cool climates of the arctic region and are used for hunting, herding and pulling sleds. They make excellent companion dogs with the Chow Chow now leaving its working role for a more relaxed life as a family pet. E.g. Alaskan Malamute.

Terrier Dogs: Originally used for pursuing vermin, terriers are small, aggressive dogs which are specifically bred to the region they are located in. E.g. West Highland White Terrier and Jack Russell.

Toy Dogs: These miniature size lap dogs are now a fashion accessory with very large personalities and brave temperaments. E.g. Chihuahua and Pug.

Water Dogs: Bred to retrieve game from the water, these dogs are strong swimmers who love the water. They generally possess curly hair such as the Poodle. E.g. Labrador Retriever.

No matter what breed you end up choosing, remember to get monthly vet checks and maintain a proper amount of exercise and a balanced diet. Otherwise you may find a very lonely, bored and hungry dog at home. With the right amount of care and love from owners, dog can easily become the most loved member of the family!