Dogs Final by murraybooks

Dogs

Dogs BOOKS

First published in 2019 by Murray Books (Australia) www.murraybooks.com

All rights reserved. This publication or any part thereof may not be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the copyright holder. Author : Peter Murray : Images: Shutterstock

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The History of the dog Alongside the history of man, the history of the dog as man’s companion has been written. When humans walked across the Bering Land Bridge between Siberia and North America, it is believed

that they were accompanied by dogs, and the earliest evidence of this places the dog alongside man

at least 9,000 years ago. When the Native American Apache and Navajo people migrated en masse

1,400 years ago, they used dogs as sled and pack animals long before the horse arrived on the continent. The value of dogs to early man was immense, and in history, canines have been used as

hunters, pack animals, protection, in policing and in military roles. Today, the role of the dog remains

one of service in many areas, but most dogs in the Developed World are either companion animals or assistance dogs for humans.

It is estimated that there are 900 million dogs in the world today, and only 20 to 25 percent are companion or service/working animals. The rest live in the Developing World where life is hard for

man, and where dogs are generally feral as a result. Of the dog breeds present in the world today, the majority are breeds that have been selectively developed over the past few centuries, and they

number in their hundreds. The proliferation of breeds has led to the ability of humans to bond with

dog ‘types’ best suited to certain living conditions and relationship needs. Additionally, many

crossbred dogs without a definable ancestry live happily with human companions, and a vast majority

of those have been rescued through animal shelters dedicated to saving abandoned, lost or unwanted dogs. Over the centuries, the dog’s relationship with humans has grown to become one of mutual

dependence, companionship, and in many cases - love.

Dogs and Human Culture Historically, dogs have been depicted as objects of adoration in ancient religion, subjects of art and

literature, and during the past century, as the subject matter of movies and television shows. In religion, the Ancient Egyptians were fond of worshipping animals, and their god of the underworld

was the jackal-like Anubis. The Aztec religion had Xolotl, the god of death, while Chinese astrology

honours the dog among other animals. Many Christian feast days are dedicated to dogs, and France's

Saint Guinefort was actually a dog and not human at all. To Hindus, the dog holds a significant place

as the guardian of the doors to heaven and hell, while the Tihar Festival in India is dedicated to the

dog. The Ancient Greeks also associated the dog with the spiritual world, and the three-headed Cerberus guarded their underworld.

Culturally, the dog has featured in artwork since Neolithic cave painting was practised. As man's

relationship with the dog became more companionable, representations appeared in the artworks of

the Middle Ages, the Renaissance and beyond. Dogs have been portrayed as loyal guardians, lap

dogs and status symbols of the aristocracy in art history. By the 18th century, dog portraits became

more fashionable than classic hunting scenes, while Victorian Era artists portrayed the dog in natural settings. By the time moving pictures arrived to entertain the masses, the dog had been portrayed in

all forms of art, including photography. When dogs first appeared on screen, they were generally

seen wandering through the dusty streets of American Westerns, but it wasn't long before the dog

took its own starring role with the likes of Old Yeller and others. Soon, television brought the dog

into living rooms around the world, and the popularity of shows centred around dogs continues to

grow - as does man's commitment to enjoying life alongside nature's greatest companion animal.

Dogs on Active Service In the Developed World, most dogs are companion animals, but there are a few areas in which dogs

are able to work alongside man for the betterment of society and community. Military working dogs

have roles not dissimilar to the military dog in history, although they are generally not used in the front line today. Once the domain of the German Shepherd, military roles are now being filled by

smaller dogs for detection work requiring a keen sense of smell. Employed in a number of tasks, one of the most crucial roles of the military working dog is that of detecting explosives. In civilian

law enforcement, the dog is an essential member of police forces around the world. From tracking suspects to detecting drugs and explosives, the police dog is often seen at airports or in operations

that involve tracking, search and rescue, or as mascots in public relations exercises. Outside of

traditional policing or military duties, dogs have been used around the world for their keen sense of

smell and their ability to follow quarry. Rescue dogs have saved countless lives in seeking out lost or trapped people, from those who have wandered away from a wilderness trail to people trapped in buildings following a collapse.

Dogs are also widely used to engage children in a range of activities and programs that are public

relations based. The value of such dogs lies in creating a bridge between adults and children, and

allowing communication that might have been otherwise difficult. There are currently many reading programs that use dogs as ambassadors. Dogs are also important in the medical world, and their

ability to detect health anomalies in humans is exemplary. Using the olfactory cortex, a dog can

detect one part in one trillion, and diseases such as cancer and diabetes are now being detected earlier as a result.

Assistance Dogs Possibly the most important role a dog can play is as an Assistance Dog, and in the past few decades,

that role has diversified well beyond assisting only the vision impaired. Mobility dogs are trained to assist people with mobility difficulties, and their roles include guiding the vision impaired, acting as

a companion and helper for people in wheelchairs and serving as a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;walkerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; for people struggling

with gait and balance. Autism service dogs assist people living with autism by performing tasks that

allow their human handlers to live comfortable daily lives, and many programs are continuing to

open around the world as the benefits become clear. Medical response dogs are trained to assist humans suffering from conditions that might result in seizures or episodes requiring a response. In

many cases, dogs are able to alert their handlers before an episode begins. Aside from epilepsy and

other seizure related conditions, a dog can even detect changes in blood sugar and bring medication

or a telephone to their handlers.

Psychiatric illness is another area of medicine in which assistance dogs are of great benefit. People

suffering from a range of illnesses that include post-traumatic stress disorder and schizophrenia have had their lives transformed by the arrival of a specially trained assistance dog. Children too have

benefited greatly from the arrival of a dog in their lives following a particularly traumatic event, and

many courts in the USA now use dogs to act as companions for children affected by criminal

activities. Today, dogs are becoming more and more important as their ability to act as guides,

companions, nurses, protectors and therapists continues to garner global attention and respect. In the future, there will be many more assistance roles for dogs as their intelligence and sensory abilities

come to light, and as they do, humankind will benefit greatly from a relationship that has been growing over the past 9,000 years.

Dogs on the Land Dogs have been involved in pastoral work since man first moved away from a hunter-gatherer life

and began farming. Working dogs remain an integral part of the farming landscape in most countries around the world, and their existence is often a crucial element of a stock farming concern. The dogs

are trained to respond to a series of hand movements, whistles or verbal commands in herding

activities that generally involve sheep or cattle. In European countries, German Shepherds, Belgian Shepherds and Briards have worked with sheep for centuries, and their ability to guide large flocks

while acting in packs as a barrier is legendary. English Shepherds and Welsh Sheepdogs tend to work

as independent sheep herders, while the lighter Australian Kelpies and Koolies often jump onto the backs of sheep as part of their herding activities. Other breeds such as the New Zealand Huntaway

depend upon their loud barks to muster sheep.

Cattle mustering also depends upon dogs for herding, and many notable breeds make successful cattle dogs. The Australian Cattle Dog is one such breed, and although small, it has the ability to

move quickly as a ‘heeler’, constantly pushing the cattle forward from behind. Other breeds are

natural ‘headers’ with cattle, working at the front end and staring the animal down as means of

keeping it facing in the right direction. When headers and heelers work together, livestock is successfully herded in the desired direction. Many working dogs are also family pets, and it not

unusual for them to join the family after a day’s work and spend time relaxing and playing in or around the family home. Their natural intelligence means that they can be easily trained as safe

companions for children and adults alike, and their loyalty is legendary.

Sporting & Hunting Dogs As predators and carnivores, it is natural for a dog to want to hunt, just as it was natural for man to

include dogs in hunting activities over the past centuries. Today, hunting dogs are no longer simply unleashed in baying packs to hunt down foxes and other game. In most cases, they are used to track

game for a human hunter and then retrieve the game once it has been shot. That game can range

from rabbits and hares through to wild boar and deer, and as the prey changes, so does the breed of hunting dog suited to the task. Hunting dogs fall into several categories, which include hounds,

gundogs, terriers and dachshunds among others. Sight hounds often sight prey from a distance and work rapidly and alone, while scent hounds work in packs to follow their quarry. The best gundogs

are generally retrievers, spaniels, setter or pointers, which are known for their ability to spot and

retrieve small game for shooters while remaining unruffled by the percussion of a weapon. Waterdogs also make good gundogs when waterfowl are the prey. Terriers and dachshunds are used when hunting for animals that live in burrows.

Dogs also take part in sporting and entertainment activities, with the most renowned of those being

sled dog racing. The annual Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race takes place in Alaska annually and involves teams of 21 dogs racing from Settlerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bay to Nome over a two week period. Greyhound and whippet

racing is also another popular sport involving dogs, and an entire gambling industry has been built

around it. Dog trials are contested around the world today, and events include traditional herding

competitions, intricate obstacle courses and tasks that require intelligence, obedience and physical

fitness. Showing dogs is also considered a sport, with the annual Crufts event in London considered

the largest, most popular and prestigious dog conformation showing event in the world.

TOP DOG BREEDS

German Shepherd The German Shepherd originated in the late 19th century in Karlsruhe, Germany. The breed came into existence as a result of interbreeding Bavarian farm dogs and local herding dogs, all having

different types of coat. It was originally called the German Shepherd Dog, which was then shortened

to German Shepherd. The breed arrived in the rest of Europe and the United Kingdom over the ensuing years, and it reached North America in the 1910s. During World War I, its name was changed in Allied countries to 'Alsation' in the wake of anti-German sentiment.

The coat of the German Shepherd can be short or long, but it will almost always be all black or

black with tan. The breed is a valuable working dog suitable to a number of pursuits. It is a successful

police dog, military dog and a guard dog, and its ability to work in detection is highly valued.

Additionally, the German Shepherd is a popular breed in dog sports, including tracking, ability,

obedience and ring sport. The overriding feature of the German Shepherd's character is one of

protectiveness, and it has been known to sacrifice itself in a pack situation for the greater good. German Shepherds make successful protectors of humans, other dogs and sheep, and their original

herding instincts come to the fore in the latter. While the breed can seem aggressive, it is not naturally

so, but it will step in to defend others. As a companion animal for humans, it is one of the most loyal, faithful and loving of all dog breeds, and its aura of serenity and calmness has a steadying influence

on a household.

Golden Retriever In the Scottish Highlands in the mid 19th century, the Golden Retriever gradually came into being

as the result of a long breeding program that included curly coated Spaniels, Labrador Retrievers, Red Setters and unknown hounds. By 1908, the Golden Retriever was a registered as the ‘Golden

Flatcoat’ in England, and its current name came about in the 1920s.

The medium-sized large dog is one of the most popular breeds in the world today, and it comes in a

variety of coat colours that fall within the parameters of ‘golden’, but which can range from pale yellow through to a rich burnt orange/red colour. The Golden Retriever is a gentle, intelligent and

well-mannered breed suitable as a companion animal for all ages of human. Packed with enough

energy to keep a small family moving for a while, the breed is extremely loving and companionable,

and its retrieving skills are legendary. Happy as a gun dog or a family pet, anything thrown will immediately be fetched, with an expectation for the game to continue until the human is no longer

capable of throwing. It is not unusual for a Golden Retriever to return from a foray into the woods with an object bigger than it is, and as long as something (or part of something) fits into the dog’s

mouth, it is considered available. The intelligent and loving Golden Retriever will welcome all

comers, including other breeds of dog, humans and cats, and it is particularly good with children.

Dalmatian The Dalmatian is a medium-sized dog, noted for its unique black, liver spotted coat and mainly used

as a carriage dog in its early days. Its roots trace back to Croatia and its historical region of Dalmatia.

Today, it is a popular family pet and many dog enthusiasts enter Dalmatians into kennel club competitions.

The first illustrations of the dog have been found in Croatia: an altar painting in Veli Lošinj dating

to 1600–1630, and a fresco in Zaostrog.The first documented descriptions of the Dalmatian (Croatian: Dalmatinski pas, Dalmatiner, Dalmatinac) trace back to the early 18th century and the archives of

the Archdiocese of Đakovo, where the dog was mentioned and described as Canis Dalmaticus in the church chronicles from 1719 by Bishop Petar Bakić and then again by church chronicles of Andreas

Keczkeméty in 1739.

During the Regency period, the Dalmatian became a status symbol trotting alongside the horsedrawn carriages and those with decorative spotting were highly prized. For this reason, the breed

earned the epithet 'the Spotted Coach Dog.' The breed was also used to guard the stables at night.

Dalmatians are often considered to make good watchdogs, and they may have been useful to fire

brigades as guard dogs to protect a firehouse and its equipment. Fire engines used to be drawn by

fast and powerful horses, a tempting target for thieves, so Dalmatians were kept in the firehouse as

deterrence to theft.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel came into being as a result of breeding King Charles Spaniels

with Pugs, and then further developing the breed in the USA in the 1920s. The result was a small

dog that had an upturned face, a flattish nose, slightly protruding eyes and luxuriant ears. The colouring of the new breed was also very desirable, and included tri-colour, red-and-white, black-

and-tan, and a rich ruby red. The ‘Cavalier’ prefix was attached to the breed name in the 1940s as a means of differentiating it from its King Charles Spaniel ancestors.

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is one of the most affectionate and happy of dogs, and it loves activity and a chance to please its humans companions. With a tail that seems to permanently wag,

it makes a wonderful and intelligent companion animal, and it seems happy in the company of most

other dogs. The natural hunting instincts of the original King Charles Spaniel continues on in the

Cavalier, and a desire to chase remains in the breed. Accompanied by excellent eyesight and a remarkable sense of smell, the dog is more than happy to head off in pursuit of small prey. Affection, obedience, a love of activity and a desire to please are the hallmarks of the Cavalier King Charles

Spaniel, and those attributes makes it a wonderful family pet capable of walking for long distances

or equally happy to settle on a lap for some ‘together time’.

Australian Shepherd The Australian Shepherd is not an Australian breed, but geneticists believe that the dog's

bloodstock arrived on the West Coast of the USA from Spain via Australia. First noted as a breed

used to herd sheep in the Rocky Mountains, ranchers in Colorado began a breeding program that

was immediately successful and saw the breed begin to spread throughout North America. Where the 'Australian' part of their name originated remains a mystery, but in the 19th century, the breed

was also referred to as the Pastor Dog, Spanish Shepherd, Bob-Tail, California Shepherd and

others.

Today, the Australian Shepherd is found throughout the American West as a highly valued stock

herder, but its popularity goes well beyond that. Movies and television shows feature the

intelligent, easily trained breeds, and rodeos feature Australian Shepherds due to their performing skills. The highly energetic Australian Shepherd is a canine dynamo and loves to be on the move. Its intelligence makes it an ideal breed to be trained and obedient, and it also loves to play. As a

companion animal, the Australian Shepherd is one of the most loyal and loving breeds imaginable,

but it requires a lot of attention and activity to be happy. With lots of room to play and several

daily hours of exercise, a dog will seemingly run itself out and simply attach itself permanently to

its human companion. Devotion, loyalty, energy and intelligence are the hallmarks of a breed that

is both loved and admired the world over.

Labrador Retriever The Labrador Retriever was originally known as the ‘St. John’s Dog’ and was native to

Newfoundland. Its original role was that of a fish retriever for fishermen. The breed arrived in England in the early 19th century and was then crossed with hunting dogs to further develop its

retrieving skills. Soon, the ‘Lab’ became one of the most popular hunting dogs in the UK, Europe and America as a result of its intelligence and the ease with which it could be trained. A smooth

coated dog, the Labrador comes in colours that range from black through to chocolate or a buttery yellow.

The breed is known for its affectionate, loving personality, as well as its good natured patience. Combined with a genuine desire to please humans, the Labrador is the preferred breed in the training

and development of assistance dogs and service dogs. It also tops the list as a family pet or a hunting

dog. A Labrador adores playtime, and it also loves water. If the opportunity arises, it will enter the water and have a good swim with or without human company. As a family pet, the Labrador bonds

quickly and easily with all members of a household, and it is particularly gentle and patient with

children and the elderly. As an assistance dog, the Labrador is trained to assist those with vision, hearing and mobility limitations, as well as psychological disorders. In service, the Labrador can be

a search and rescue dog, a police dog or a military dog in a number of roles.

American Staffordshire Terrier The American Staffordshire Terrier is known by a number of names, including the 'Amstaff' and the 'Staffordshire'. More commonly, the breed is known as the 'Pit Bull'. Initially, the breed began in the

West Midlands of England and shares bloodstock with the English Bulldog. Cross breeding between

Bulldogs, Fox Terriers, White Terriers and Black-and-Tan Terriers saw the beginnings of the American Staffordshire Terrier begin to appear in North America by the 1870s.

The temperament of the American Staffordshire Terrier is one of friendliness to its companion humans, but also of great loyalty and protectiveness. Strong for its size, it is both muscular and agile, and can be quite graceful in its movements. The average male American Staffordshire Terrier stands between 46 cm and 48 cm tall, while the female is generally three centimetres shorter. Much has

been said about the breed's propensity to attack humans, and many countries in Europe have banned

the American Staffordshire Terrier as a result of this. Obversely, many humans families live with

American Staffordshire Terriers quite safely, having trained their dog to be sociable, well mannered and a loving companion. Above all else, the 'Staffy' loves human company and is happiest when part

of a family and kept busy by its companion humans. Upon occasions, a dog's loyalty to its family

can be somewhat overwhelming to outsiders.

French Bulldog The origins of the French Bulldog are actually English. In the mid 19th century, Nottingham’s lace

makers bred a miniature English Bulldog and named it the ‘Toy Bulldog’. When lace making artisans

left England for France as a result of the Industrial Revolution, they took their miniature bulldogs

with them, where both their lace making skills and their dogs were appreciated. The name ‘French

Bulldog’ soon came into popular use, and despite English dog breeder protestations, the name remained.

The sturdy French Bulldog is a compact breed with a square head and a rounded forehead. Its upper lip hangs well below its lower lip, and its bat-like ears are quite pronounced. It comes in a variety of

colours and markings, and its skin is loose around the head and shoulders. The French Bulldog is a playful, intelligent and extremely affectionate dog. It rarely becomes loud or yappy in its attempts

to interact with humans or other dogs, preferring to resort to funny antics instead. Sociable, friendly and scrupulously clean, the French Bulldog will work hard to avoid stepping in any amount of water. The breed cannot swim, but it is a more than capable rodent hunter that will relentlessly stalk and

capture its prey. Not all French Bulldogs drool and slobber, but many do, although the results are far

less than other breeds notorious for it. If raised with young children, a French Bulldog will be a considerate companion, but it prefers the company of adults.

Yorkshire Terrier The plucky Yorkshire Terrier first came into existence as a specific breed in Northern England in

the 19th century. It was developed by the working classes of the region as a means of vermin control in mine shafts and textile mills, which suffered from huge rat infestations. Originally a larger breed than the Yorkshire Terrier of today, it is believed that the bloodstock for the breed came from Scottish

mill workers and miners who brought Dandie Dinmonts, Skye Terriers, Paisley Terriers and

Manchester Terriers with them to the area. Recognised as a specific breed in the 1880s, the ‘Yorkie’ was also used to hunt burrowing animals.

As a puppy, the toy-sized Yorkshire Terrier is either brown, black or tan. Eventually, the coat becomes

steel blue over the body and tail, and the remainder of the dog is tan. The character of the Yorkshire Terrier is one of extreme bravery, loyalty and intelligence. It makes an ideal companion animal, but

it tends to forget its diminutive size when confronted with danger. Much like its human Yorkshire

counterparts, it will take on all comers and refuse to yield even when faced with certain defeat. A Yorkshire Terrier has no qualms in telling its human companions what it thinks, and it needs a firm

set of rules to ensure that it does not develop into a ‘yappy’ dog. Regardless, the sweet natured Yorkie responds well to routine and human company, and it is a favourite breed for the elderly as a result.

Poodle Poodles are a group of formal dog breeds, the Standard Poodle, Miniature Poodle and Toy Poodle.

The origin of the breed is still discussed, with a prominent dispute over whether the poodle descends

from Germany as a type of water dog, or from the French Barbet.

Ranked second most intelligent dog breed just behind the Border Collie, the poodle is skillful in many dog sports and activities, including agility, obedience, tracking to herding, circus performers

and assistance dogs. Poodles have taken top honors in many conformation shows, including “Best in Show” at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in 1991 and 2002, and at the World Dog Show in 2007 and 2010.

The European mainland had known the poodle long before it was brought to England. Drawings by

German artist Albrecht Dürer established the popular image of the breed in the 15th and 16th centuries. It was the principal pet dog of the late 18th century in Spain, as shown by the paintings of the Spanish artist Francisco Goya. France had toy poodles as pampered favorites during the reign of

Louis XVI at about the same period.

Dog

assembly Instructions

PLEASE COLOUR-IN PUZZLE ON FLAT SHEET PRIOR TO ASSEMBLY

Dog

assembly Instructions

PLEASE COLOUR-IN PUZZLE ON FLAT SHEET PRIOR TO ASSEMBLY