The Nature of Dogs

We love our dogs! Big dogs, little dogs and every dog in between. They come in all shapes and sizes, but one thing is consistent with nearly all dogs, they are loyal and our best friends to the end. Owning and caring for a dog is great fun and immensely rewarding. But it is also a big responsibility. If you own or are responsible for a dog, even on a temporary basis, you are responsible to care for him or her properly. Dogs have very particular needs, so looking after them can be a challenge! But the rewards outweigh the work, and the return on those rewards are one hundred fold, no doubt.

The truth is there is no one “perfect way” to care for a dog, mainly because each dog is different. Caring for a dog really is much like caring for a human child. They are completely dependent on you to care for them and know what is best for their well-being. It is in your hands, so if you haven’t had a dog before be ready! It is not a commitment to take lightly.

Fun Fact: Did you know? The closest common ancestor of the domestic dog (Canis familiaris) is the wolf!

Domestication:
The domestication of the dog actually began around 15,000 years ago. During this process, humans selected desirable traits such as coat type, color, size, and even the dog’s leg length. This selection process has resulted in approximately 400 different breeds of dog today.

Communication:
Dogs use a range of methods to communicate. They in fact produce a range of sounds, often in complex combinations, including whines, whimpers, growls, barks and howls. Many dogs can use their body, face, tail, ears and limbs to communicate with other dogs. The best thing of all… dogs are ultimately playful at heart!

Fun Fact: Did you know? When inviting others to play, a dog crouches on its forelimbs, remains standing on its hind limbs and may wag its tail or bark. This is called the “play bow.”

Is Dog Really Man’s Best Friend? Definitely!  There is nothing like the love and affection of a dog. If you treat them right they will love you forever and follow you to the ends of the earth! In fact, the dog is so faithful and loyal, we use Service Dogs or Assistance Dogs every single day as a way to help aid people in need. Dogs help us in various ways like helping the blind, assisting deaf and disabled people, and some K-9s even serve their local police department. Dogs have been known to rescue people from fires or from drowning, save people and other dogs from accidents, they can even detect seizures and heart attacks. Quite honestly, the dog is to be honored and revered for its loyal to humans.

We owe it to our dogs to treat them with the utmost love and respect because there is no creature on earth who brings so much to people and other animals, too. So make sure to treat your dog right!