Every Day Has Its Dog

Answer 1

Humans domesticated dogs about 16,000 years ago. Though all dogs are descended from the wolf, they have been bred to be many sizes, shapes, colors and temperaments. They've been bred to drive cattle and herd sheep, to retrieve and flush game, to hunt for missing persons, to guard their homes and families, to kill vermin, to pull sleds and to simply be loving companions. Right now the American Kennel club recognizes or grants status to over 200 breeds of dogs.

Companion Dogs

Companion dogs are now considered solely for pets, though some of them, like the bichon breeds, were bred for such daunting tasks as killing rats. Other companion dogs are the cheerful and alert Toy American Eskimo, which is considered a breed of spitz. A spitz dog has a plumed tail that curls over the body. Much different from the Eskimo is the graceful Italian Greyhound, a dog a little over a foot high with a sleek and lustrous short coat and a somewhat sad look.

Gundogs

Gundogs are trained to accompany hunters. Some, like retrievers, are all too happy to jump into water and retrieve waterfowl that have been brought down. Some, like the curly coated retriever, the Irish water spaniel, or the Barbet, have curly or oily coats that are water repellent. Others, like the cocker spaniel, have soft mouths that are good for bringing back small birds like quail and woodcock. Many of these Dog Breeds have settled into being good family pets, though they need a lot of exercise and stimulation.

Terriers

Terriers get their name from their habit of burrowing underground to catch rats and other vermin. Many terrier breeds still like to dig. They are lively and perky dogs and are quite loyal to their humans. Terriers include the famous Parson Jack Russell Terrier, the Wire Fox Terrier with its beard and dense, wiry coat with its dark saddle, the low to the ground Scottish terrier with its bushy beard and eyebrows, and the Kerry Blue Terrier, which is fairly large for a terrier and has a famous curly blue coat which has to be groomed every day. Also in the group is the Yorkie, a fearless little dog with a long, silken coat of tan and blue.

Herding Dogs

These dogs not only herded cattle and sheep but had to be strong enough to drive off predators like wolves. The powerful German shepherd is an example of one of these dogs. The highly intelligent black and white border collie is still used to herd sheep and grows unhappy if it doesn't have something to herd. Another herding dog is the beautiful collie with its lustrous frilled coat and long muzzle.