Why Are Dogs Man's Best Friends?

by Andrew Garcia

Apr 05, 2022

4 minute read

TABLE OF CONTENTS

How Dogs Envolve Into Man’s Best Friends?
What Is a Dog Breed?
Seven Types of Dog Breeds
What Are the Benefits of Having a Dog?
Conclusion

For thousands of years, man and dog have lived together. Thus, dogs are popularly referred to as man’s best friends. People keep dogs for several reasons, including companionship, safety, guarding, and as a help for disabled people. This article gives you a look at several dog roles and why dogs are loyal friends.

How Dogs Envolve Into Man’s Best Friends?

Although all dogs are descendants of the wolf species, they are not from your most likely assumption – the grey wolf. Presently, scientists are working on figuring out the wolf species that gave rise to dogs. Dogs breaking off from their wild ancestors is a mystery. Using genetics, scientists discovered that dogs broke off between 15,000 and 30,000 years ago. But how these fierce beasts became friends with man is also a mystery.

Several scientists argue that wolves’ evolution was gradual, as the beast’s relation with humans became friendlier. It is possible that eating human scraps started this evolution, and as time passed, feeding wolves encouraged them to stay close to humans. Eventually, human society accepted wolves and bred them, encouraging certain traits.

What Is a Dog Breed?

Ever since prehistoric times, humans have always bred dogs. The earliest dogs descended from wolves. Initially, man bred dogs to develop physical and mental traits suitable for tasks including hunting, guarding, and herding. However, with time, dogs have been undertaking different responsibilities making them more sophisticated. Consequently, specific dog breeds emerged, suiting breeders’ needs.

Over time, through selective breeding, dogs will produce desired movement and physical and temperamental traits. There are over 190 dog breeds in the dog’s breed list of the American Kennel Club. In addition, the Fédération Cynologique Internationale has 360 officially recognized dog breeds.

Seven Types of Dog Breeds

The AKC classifies dogs into seven groups based on each breed-specific role. This section discusses the seven dog breeds and what to expect when getting a furry friend.

Sporting Breeds

Sporting dogs assist in catching games. The four basic types of sporting dogs are Spaniels, Setters, Retrievers, And Pointers. Furthermore, sporting dogs have stable temperaments, alert personalities, and instincts in the woods and water. Because sporting dogs require a lot of outdoor exercise, they are perfect for active families.

Hounds

Hounds are excellent for hunting prey, and they usually never stop till they catch their prey. Presently, hound dogs help find missing children, locate earthquake victims, and trail anything, including raccoons and escaped convicts. Hounds include Greyhound, Beagles, Basenji, and Daschund. Furthermore, hounds are loyal companions and are great as family pets because of their charming and affectionate personalities.

Working Breeds

Working dogs perform specific functions. In the canine community, dog breeds in this category are also known as blue-collar workers. Tasks including guarding homes and pulling sleds and carts are among the responsibilities of working breeds.

Boxers, Mastiff, Great Dane, and Chinook are dog breeds in the working category. These dogs have incredible energy and intelligence, and they make dependable pets.

Herding Breeds

Herding breeds help control livestock. Dogs in this category are not only intelligent and agile; they are responsive to their owner’s commands. Hence, most herding breeds are great as police or rescue dogs.

Herding breeds are great for children. They are loyal and also respond quickly to training. Dogs in the herding breed category include German Shepherd, Border Collie, And Pembroke Welsh Corgi.

Terrier

Humans initially bred terriers to hunt small animals. Instead of burrowing in after little creatures, long-legged terriers can dig them out. On the other hand, short-legged terriers are bred to hunt rodents underground.

Courage and self-confidence are traits of terriers. The Bull Terrier, Boston Terrier, And Scottish Terrier are dogs in the terrier category. Furthermore, although they make lovable pets, they have stubborn personalities.

Toy Breeds

The toy breed group has the tiniest dogs weighing under 10 pounds. Primarily, toy breeds are bred as lapdogs and for companionship. They are attentive and affectionate companions. Because these breeds don’t take so much place in a home, they are popular with people living in the city. Dogs in the toy breed category include the Pug, Chihuahua, and Shih Tzu.

Non-sporting Breeds

Non-sporting breeds are the other remaining dogs; therefore, they have several sizes and functions. The breeds in this category are great for companionship. However, generalizing their common traits is difficult due to their several differences.

What Are the Benefits of Having a Dog?

The role of dogs in human society has been significant. Although their functional roles have reduced today, their importance in a home has dramatically increased. Globally, dogs add a measurable quality to homes, ranging from pets to service dogs.

One of the benefits of spending time with dogs is its impact on your well-being. According to research, having a furry friend is excellent for your emotional and physical well-being. Dogs can help improve your mood and also cope with daily life crises. However, after reading about the benefits of owning a dog, you’ll find out that having a dog is more than just having a furry friend welcome you home.

Fighting Loneliness

Loneliness in adulthood is quite challenging, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dogs help relieve social isolation with their unconditional love, emotional support, and constant cuddles. According to a survey of pet owners and non-pet owners, 85% of the demographic believe that interacting with pets reduces loneliness. In addition, most people agree that human-pet interactions avoid social isolation.

Helping You Stay Active

Because dogs need to stay healthy by running and playing outside, their owners engage in physical activity. For example, a study shows that dog owners that regularly take their dogs out engage in about 300 minutes of walking per week while non-dog owners only exercise half as much.

When playing fetch with your dog, using a ball or stick helps burn calories and improve your heart rate. You’ll be more energetic and enhance your wellness with regular cardiovascular activity. In addition, most dog owners affirm that walking their dogs helps them spend more time outside. Although there are situations where you can’t own a dog in your home, walking your neighbors’ dogs or volunteering at a boarding shelter or kennel can help you enjoy these benefits.

Keeping You Safe

Because dogs are very loyal, most see protecting their home and family as a job. In addition, dogs have a strong sense of smell and heightened hearing; therefore, they can detect dangerous things and alert you about a potential danger. Dogs also help prevent burglar and violent attacks by barking. Also, once your dog starts pursuing a suspicious noise, it tends to stay alert till the issue is resolved.

Helping You Lower Stress Levels

Because life is stressful, many health experts recommend yoga or meditation as stress-reducing techniques. Having a pet also positively affects your body’s reaction to stress. Pets offer comfort and ease your worries, alleviating stress and anxiety. Furthermore, according to Vikram Taragu, spending a few minutes with your pets minimizes anxiety and lowers blood pressure. It also raises your serotonin and dopamine levels, which are the two neurochemicals significant to your relaxation and well-being.

Reducing Risk of Heart Disease

Dogs are more than your best friend; they are also a key to living a longer and healthier life. For example, according to Harvard Health Publishing, people in multi-person households with dogs have an 11% lower risk of death and 15% lower risk of death due to cardiovascular problems than people living in multi-person homes without dogs. The apparent explanation for this fact is that dog owners have higher activity levels.

Conclusion

Taking a dog for a walk several times a day is a lot of activity for many dog owners, compared to those who don’t have a dog. Consequently, more active dog breeds have the most significant benefit. Moreover, single dog owners benefit the most because they have to shoulder the responsibility of walking their dogs all the time.

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