The Dog
The dog is the best friend that man has. He is not only useful in many way's but his intelligence fidelity and affection have made him man's inseparable companion for countless ages.
The dog belongs to the same family as the wolf, the jackal, and the fox. It is thought that all dogs are descended from wolves, and when we look at some breeds, it is hard to believe as they are very similar in the shape, legs, head, and mouth. Even in some of his habits, the dog resembles the wolf. When he is afraid for instance, he puts his tail between his legs and often rolls over his back.
All dogs possess also the keen scent of their wild brethren, and the blunt claws which help them to run quickly and scratch up the earth.
In very remote time dogs roamed in packs in a wild state, seeking their prey among smaller creatures in the same ways that wolves do today. In many countries, the dog is used as a beast of burden and very often is neither well treated nor well fed.
Of all countries in England dogs are treated and fed with utmost care and affection and most of them have very happy easy lives. They are as a rule used in hunting field. A special bread called the hound shows marvelous intelligence in catching games for their masters. Many wonderful stories are told of the pluck, diligence and keenness of St. Bernard dogs, kept by the monks of the hospice of St. Bernard which is on a high and dangerous mountain in Switzerland. They are trained to go out in pairs to rescue travelers who are overcome by snowstorms. One dog carries a flask of brandy suspended from his collar and the other a blanket fastened on his back. If the traveler is too weak to make use of these himself they bark loudly to attract the attention of the monks who help him to the hospice.
There are nearly two hundred breeds of dogs now known which can be roughly divided into three large classes wolf, dogs, hounds, and terriers.
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