Chel P

You climb out of your car on a dark, miserable day. The

rain was pouring earlier, but now it’s simply spitting. Your day

had been extremely draining. Meetings here and there all day,

constantly traveling. You walk your exhausted shell of a body to

your front door. You reach for your keys in your pocket, and

fumble with them as you try to find the correct one. You drop

them. Now you’re more angry than tired. You pick up the keys once more and find the correct

one this time, quickly sending into the lock, and turning. You hear loud thumps resounding from

the inside. You push open the door, and you find a small excited dog running in circles. It’s

whole body shakes with its tail as it dances for you. You instantly feel better. You reach down

and hold your dog close as it kisses your face as a warm welcome home. Large, small, short

and stubby or tall and fluffy, dogs are truly amazing amazing creatures that are often underrated

for all of their amazing uses and talents. Not only will they cuddle up with you when you need a

friend, but they can find bombs, drugs, defend and protect, guide people with poor eyesight, and

so many more amazing things! We are going to explore all of the amazing qualities of our four

legged buddies. Not only will we discuss the overall benefits of having a dog, and their “Man’s

Best Friend” reputation, we will talk about dogs In service jobs, dogs breeds, The effect of dogs

on your health, how dogs evolved, our historical connection with dogs, and the costs of dog

ownership.

How about we start from the very beginning. The modern dog. You know? The ones that

curl up on our laps and play with us all the time. Where in the world did they come from? Well,

one thing is for certain; We don’t have an exact answer to that question.
 For most of history, the scientific speculation has been that the modern domestic dog

descended from the “Canis Lupus” (In English that means the common Grey Wolf). But even

Charles Darwin, the scientist who discovered evolution wasn’t sure if they could trace back the

dog to the common wolf due to the massive variation in breeds within the modern dog family.

“​The similarities between wolves and dogs are great. In the 1960s, ethologist John Paul Scott

tried to untangle the behaviors of these two species, and created a catalog of 90 behaviors of

dogs. All but 19 of them, however, were also observed in wolves, and the missing behaviors

tended to be minor activities that probably had not been recorded at the time but do occur in

wolves, Serpell said” Explains Melina Remy, in her article “How Did Dogs Get to Be Dogs?”

after an interview with a scientist working to understand the lineage of the common dog.

“Recent anatomical and molecular evidence has confirmed that wolves, dogs and dingoes are

all more closely related to each other than they are to any other member of the family Canidae,"

Serpell said.” Recounts Remy.

Dogs and wolves do both have similar attributes but many things

have changed between the two. In PBS’s published paper on dog

evolution, they had determined that “ The dog, ​Canis familiaris,​ is a

direct descendent of the gray wolf, ​Canis lupus:​ In other words, dogs

as we know them are domesticated wolves. Not only their behavior

changed; domestic dogs are different in form from wolves, mainly smaller and with shorter

muzzles and smaller teeth.” (PBS, paragraph). With their DNA linked, it’s obvious that there had

been very intentional breeding done to isolate preferable traits. This is synonymously called

Domestication; “ ​: to adapt (an animal or plant) over time from a wild or natural state especially

by selective breeding to life in close association with and to the benefit of humans.” as defined

by Merriam Webster.
 So, how did the modern dog come to be? Through hundreds of years of careful select

breeding. Through time and patience, humans created an animal that would always stand by

their side. Moving on from the birth of the modern dog, let’s discuss the various types of dogs,

or more officially called “Breeds”.​ ​Dog breeds are things we all know of.

We often use them as names to faces. In example, anything with a short

snout looks like a pug or a bulldog, while longer snouts are associated

with weimaraners. But the use of breed names today are not only to

identify a dog by its looks, but they are actually made for identifying dogs

by their genetic code, and purpose.

Let’s begin with a dog’s purpose. To make you happy? We like to think so. Dog breeds

where and still are oftenly bred for specific jobs and purposes. Like how herding dogs, and

guard dogs are both specialized in their fields, all dogs have a purpose. “​For thousands of

years, humans bred dogs toward the physical and mental traits best suited for the work

expected of them. The sleek Greyhound types bred to chase fleet-footed prey, and the huge

mastiff types used as guard dogs and warriors, are two ancient examples of dogs bred for

specific jobs.” is the official explanation given by the American Kennel Club, explaining the dog’s

purpose. “So, then, when is a breed a breed and not just a kind or type of dog? The simplest

way to define a breed is to say it always “breeds true.” That is, breeding a purebred Irish Setter

to another purebred Irish Setter will always produce dogs instantly recognizable as Irish

Setters.” The American Kennel Club explains further. The breed of a dog is dependant on it’s

bloodline, and how close it is to a purebred. What is a purebred? Well, as Merriam Webster puts

it, “: bred from members of a recognized breed, strain, or kind without admixture of other blood

over many generations.” A dog of a pure lineage and whos has been born of two dogs of the

same breed. That is what most often constitutes a purebred.

 While we are on the topic of purebred dogs, let’s take a moment to asses their

popularity. What are the benefits of having a purebred dog? Well, there aren’t that many. The

major draw to the purebreds is the predictability of them. Specific breeds of dogs have bred-in

temperments, some being very gentle and quiet, to aggressive and loud. In

PetMD’s research into the topic, they concluded that “ For breeders of

purebred puppies, they have the advantage of being able to tell prospective

owners what they can expect in regards to size, behavior and health.

Responsible breeders carefully match prospective breeding pairs based on

temperament and physical conformity.” They can predict the dog’s behavior accurately, thus

making it easier to sell their dogs at a young age when they are more expensive. Besides this,

there is no more pros to having a purebred dog. Purebred dogs are often much more

susceptible to genetic diseases due to inbreeding. These diseases can affect many factors in

your dog’s life, from simple things like sight, to paralyses and permanent brain damages. The

Kennel Club’s research has shown that “Complex inherited disorders are often caused by a

number of different genes and are also influenced by environmental factors, such as diet and

exercise. The way in which these conditions are inherited is not straight forward; hence the

name complex inherited disorders. One allele may increase or decrease the chance of a

condition developing, but the impact actually be very slight. Lots of genes may contribute to the

risk of a dog developing a condition and have an additive effect.”. These can be predicted, but

never completely avoided. As seen in quotation above, sometimes you can barely see the

changes that the disease causes, and the animal most likely isn’t affected negatively.

Through blood, you can recieve many things. Being distinguished as a purebred gives

the titled organism more chances of being a carrier/victim of genetic disease. Breeds are

distinguished by genetics and appearance, and behavior. Behavior towards humans mostly.
Continuing on, why do dogs feel the need to please us and make us smile? Why are they so

attached? Well for starters, ​dogs have been around for centuries, traveling with humans for

ages. What most people don't know about their furry friends, is

where it all started. The common dog, remarkably different to their

wild counterparts, Dogs are smaller, have shorter muzzles, have

remarkably different behaviors, and noticeably shorter teeth. Going

back in time, we see many encounters of co-existence with dogs,

some predating the neolithic age. While the reason why

domestication began is up to speculation, the most popular myth is

that ancient people began taming wolves for protection and service. While this is widely

accepted amongst society, scientists believe that the early dogs were simply exploiting humans,

as they would take them out of the cold, in exchange for companionship. In PBS’s article on the

evolution of dogs, they explain this concept, “​How and when this domestication happened has

been a matter of speculation. It was thought until very recently that dogs were wild until about

12,000 years ago. But DNA analysis published in 1997 suggests a date of about 130,000 years

ago for the transformation of wolves to dogs. This means that wolves began to adapt to human

society long before humans settled down and began practicing agriculture. This earlier timing

casts doubt on the long-held myth that humans domesticated dogs to serve as guards or

companions to assist them. Rather, say some experts, dogs may have exploited a niche they

discovered in early human society and got humans to take them in out of the cold.” ​This

relationship has been exhibited through all of human history, many different remains of dogs

being buried in proper graves, or even buried in the graves of companions who might have died

with them, this is explained by Melina Remy in her article ‘How Did Dogs Get To Be Dogs?’ “​The

14,000-year-old remains of a puppy and an elderly person were found buried together in Israel,
Serpell said. The person's left hand was apparently positioned

so that it rested on the dog's flank, which shows that the

relationship between man and dog is one of the oldest and

most durable of friendships, he said.”​ So what caused the

evolutionary connection? Dogs and wolves have a long period

of sociability in the wild. This means, they are often introduced to many different stimuli

throughout their life, and gather niches from their interactions. Humans have gotten so ingrained

in the life of the common dog, a dog’s owner(s) are considered part of the animal’s ‘Pack’, or

close family. “​In fact, a domestic dog considers its owner or owners to be its "pack," and the

owners' home to be its territory, according to "Simon & Schuster's Guide to Dogs" (Fireside,

1980)”(Remy).​ Dogs have created a general understanding that most humans will reward them

for good behavior and companionship, and thus, this shared knowledge has spurred on the

relationship between man and its best friend. If you purchase your dog young, it is more likely to

be very connected to you in the future, since as it grows it will know you as its close family.

Dogs care so strongly about their humans due to this sociability, they often make fantastic

service animals.​ ​From helping the blind, to protecting officers, dogs in service can serve many

purposes.

Dogs have been within law enforcement and military action for much longer than most

people think. They have become a vital part of the the practices done by many law keeping

institutions, but what are those jobs? What kind of dogs are the best for these jobs? And, when

did dogs begin to play such a big role in law enforcement? For the answer to this question, we

need to look back to the time of the Romans.

Beginning in Roman times, dogs were trained for military and law enforcement purposes,

from protection to soldier/dog squadrons in times of war. These practices are not restricted to
 ancient times either, many of these practices have been

used up to the modern day, and are still in practice

currently. As explained by the Official Website of ‘Dogs

For Law Enforcement’ in their ‘History of Police Dogs’

section, “ ​Since Roman times humans have used canines

for security and hunting. The Romans and the Spanish conquistadors used dogs in times of

war. More recently, the British, German and American military forces have benefited from

canine/soldier teams. During wartime, dogs were trained for certain important roles: sentry dog,

scout or patrol dog, messenger dog, or mine dog. About 1,500 dogs were used as sentries in

the Korean War. During the Vietnam War, American troops used dogs to clear caves and

tunnels of the Vietcong, as well as to find booby traps and landmines. After the wars, the dogs

were rehabilitated and returned to the people who loaned them to the military.” Dogs have had a

multitude of purposes over the course of history, and while these are only a few, these jobs

were necessary for safety purposes, and without the dogs the missions and efforts of different

militaries would have failed.

The jobs performed by dogs within the military and police are usually either very specific

to a breed, or a use of a dog’s talents or natural skills. One of police dog’s main purposes is for

Detection, the searching and scent tracking of explosive and illegal contraband, like explosives,

smuggled bodies, and especially drugs. The American Kennel Club defines the job of detection,

and explain why dogs are best fit for the job in their article “What Do Police Dogs Do?”: “Dogs

have ​225 million scent receptors in their noses​ (compared to a human's 5 million), and we use

this ability of theirs to our advantage when fighting crime. When it comes to criminal activity,

dogs are often taught to detect various drugs, explosives, accelerants (when investigating

arson), and other crime scene evidence. The dogs are able to perform their tasks anywhere and
are most commonly searching airports and border entries for explosives and illegal drugs, large

events for explosives, and even civilian vehicles that have been pulled over. Military dogs are

also trained to detect landmines, in order to protect their handlers and personnel from danger.”

These dogs are vital to the safety of military/police personnel,

and for the tracking of criminals and the lost. The specific

breeds often chosen for this type of training are Bloodhounds

and Beagles. These breeds have been specifically bred over

hundreds of years to detect specific scents, and thus are the

most capable for the job.

Another job that dogs are trained for is suspect apprehension, as explained by the

American Kennel Club, apprehension can be understood as “Perhaps the most popular

discipline of the police dog is suspect apprehension. Police dogs are trained to bite dangerous

suspects and hold them hostage. In many situations, they are the first ones to put their lives on

the line and go in against an armed suspect to protect their human partners. Most apprehension

dogs are ​herding​ breeds, such as the Belgian Malinois, German Shepherd Dogs, and Dutch

Shepherds. For hundreds of years, herding breeds have been bred to have the physical

strength and intelligence needed to work with their owners to herd livestock — qualities they

also need to restrain a dangerous person. That said, they must be stable dogs, with the ability to

know when someone is a threat and to act solely on the command of their handlers.” The dogs

chosen for this are often German Shepards, as witnessed by many people. Not only are they

iconic in the world of police work, but they are also the most reliable in the way of police work.

These dogs make the take down of running criminals faster, as most dogs are faster than the

average human by five-ten miles per hour, and with the strength of four legs propelling them
dogs can easily launch themselves at criminals, biting down with their strong jaws and sharp

teeth, apprehending them.

With all of these positives, it’s hard to imagine that having a dog would be a bad thing.

Well, it could possibly be bad for your wallet.​Like other pets, dogs

must be feed and cared for. From brushing and bathing, to

brushing your dog’s teeth, hygiene and other costs like daycare

and insurance, dogs can be a very expensive investment. Here’s

about how much dogs can cost based on a few different living

situations.

Starting with the initial purchase of the dog, the first purchase adoption fee can range

from a sponsored purchase, that adds up to a easy 0$’s, to the full purchase of a puppy, that

can rack up to around 350$’s, according to Petfinder in their article on dog costs and expenses.

Food for your dog can range from 120-500 dollars a year depending on the type of dog you

have, how big they are, and any special dietary needs. Next up is your food and water bowls.

The usual food and water bowl can go from 10 dollars to an impressive 50, if your pet breaks

them, they rust up, or you don't stop until you get the highest quality items for your dog. (That’s

your life, I'm not judging you.) For a year, treats and chew toys cost on average 50-300 dollars,

and stays about the same every year you continue on with your furry companion. A collar will

cost you a small sum of around 6-50 dollars if you really want your dog to be the talk of the

town, and leashes go from 10-50, just in case you wanted a matching set. So far, as long as

you're not into spending 50 dollars for a collar, this budget might seem rather comfortable. But

don’t you leave yet, there's more! If you don't want your new roommate to sleep on your bed,

you can buy them one for 20-250 dollars, and we hope and pray that they know its a ​bed​ ​not a

chew toy.​ Everyone’s favorite dog expense, vaccinations and routine care comes to a cozy
100-350 dollars the first year of owning a pet, and continues at 80-250 per year of ownership.

Your annual heartworm tests come to around 35 dollars each time,

and what if your favorite little furry buddy is positive? After treatment

(That is patient specific), heartworm prevention is 24-120 dollars the

first year, before escalating to a rather large sum of 36-132 dollars.

Finally, Flea and Tick prevention can roll up our receipt at around 40-200 dollars per year.

Whew! That was a ​lot​ of money. La Grande Check adds up to a heart stopping 395-2,455

dollars. Now, you may be thinking; “Heart stopping? That’s nothing! Have you even ​SEEN​ my

insurance payments?” but take a moment and think about that. Take that number, your

insurance payments, taxes, electric and water bills, add them all up. Now take that and multiply

it by 12 (The average lifespan of a dog). Heart stopping now, right?

If you can get past the economic cost of having a dog, dogs can be a serious help in

your overall life. The first benefit of owning a dog is definitely how dogs affect your physical self.

Dogs can make you healthier. “​Dogs are high-energy companions, love to play and need

exercise. People who own dogs get more activity in their day simply by making accommodations

for their dog’s lifestyle. According to the American Heart Association, dog owners are 54% more

likely to get the recommended amount of exercise than their non-dog owning counterparts. As a

result, and due to a stronger immune system from being exposed to pet fur and dandruff, many

dog owners see a decrease in blood-pressure, triglycerides and cholesterol levels, making them

less at risk for heart-disease.” Says the American Humaine in their article on the physical and

mental benefits of having a dog. Dogs and their high energy levels, encourage their humans to

get up, outside, and moving! Playing and walking a dog helps significantly with people who work

inactive jobs, or simply don't move that much. In a small way, your dog can keep you out of

medical bills, and out of the morgue.

 The second benefit of having a dog is mental. Dogs can make you happier. “Dog owners

are less likely to be depressed, and in fact, have higher levels of serotonin and dopamine than

non-dog owners, mainly due to the fact that dogs are calming and familiar companions that can

lead to less stress and anxiety. Additionally, dogs are natural conversation starters which

promotes social interaction even for shy dog owners. The more social interaction you have, the

more likely you are to engage in fulfilling relationships with people that make you happy.

All this helps boost mental responses and motivation If struggling to get out of bed or to lose

those last few pounds, leading to an overall sense of productivity and satisfaction. Plus, having

a strong sense of purpose and a routine (which is often required for

taking care of a dog) allows for stability which in turn helps fight

mental illness.” Explains the American Humane in the same article.

Dogs literally trigger the release of specific “Feel Good” chemicals in

our brain, making us feel happy. Dogs are the best way to make

friends due to their usually friendly nature. When your dog finds someone, you find someone.

Finally, the last benefit of having a dog is more practical than anything else. Dogs can

keep you safe. The American Humane says that; “ Studies have shown that barking dogs help

deter burglaries and other violent attacks. With heightened senses of hearing and smell, dogs

can detect things you can’t and alert you to possible danger. A dog's’ natural instinct is often to

protect their home and family – something that can be annoying when the mailman comes to

the door but useful if someone more nefarious comes around. Whether you’re taking your dog

out for a walk or getting all snuggled up in bed, just having Fido around can help put your mind

at ease, something that helps both your mental and physical health.” Why buy an extremely

expensive security system, when you can have a dog that loves you, and protects at the same
time? I’m sold! Continuing on with the benefits of having a dog, let’s return to dogs in service.

Service animals, service dogs more specifically have been in the works for hundreds of years.

Many dogs each year are trained to help humans with their disabilities, and are given to people

in need of assistance so they can regain their independence.

Service dogs are “​A service animal is any dog that is

individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of

an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory,

psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. Other species

of animals, whether wild or domestic, trained or untrained, are

not considered service animals.” according to the official ADA

website (Americans With Disabilities Act). A service dog can perform a variety of jobs for many

different people. From anxiety and PTSD, to deafness and blindness, these dogs can be used

to work with anyone no matter how young nor how old. The process of training a service dog is

long, and often leads right up to the time it’s passed to its owner. “​There is no exact set time for

training an adult service dog once they have completed their early socialization, but service dog

programs will have very clear training plans for every dog. In general, adult dogs will undergo

specific training (obedience, task work etc) for 1-2 hours a day for a period of around 6 months

before they are matched with their future owner” (Assistance Dogs International, paragraph 1).

Due to each dog having a different purpose than others, some are not allowed into areas that

others are. According to the ADA, Service dog permission to enter/exit a building is decided as

follows; “Individuals with disabilities can bring their service animals in to all areas of public

facilities and private businesses where members of the public, program participants, clients,

customers, patrons, or invitees are allowed. A service animal can be excluded from a facility if
its presence interferes with legitimate safety requirements of the facility (e.g., from a surgery or

burn unit in a hospital in which a sterile field is required). A public entity or a private business

may ask an individual with a disability to remove a service animal if the animal is not

housebroken or is out of control and the individual is not able to control it. A service animal must

have a harness, leash or other tether, unless the handler is unable to use a tether because of a

disability or the use of a tether would interfere with the service animal’s ability to safely perform

its work or tasks. In these cases, the service animal must be under the handler’s control through

voice commands, hand signals, or other effective means. If a service animal is excluded, the

individual with a disability must still be offered the opportunity to obtain goods, services, and

accommodations without having the service animal on the premises.” In special circumstances

service dogs are not allowed to enter a building, while at other times people with service dogs

must be invited into an institution/business

Service animals are extremely vital to the independence of their handlers. Weather for

emotional/mental reasons, or physical limitations, these dogs are trained to serve their humans

with pride, and are the reason why a majority of people with disabilities can go into public with

the independence of anyone else. Not only this, but people with other ailments use dogs to live

a more normal life.

For starters, dogs are great at warding off mental illness and depression. Not only have

they been able to guard us, our families, and our possessions for hundreds of years, but they

have also fended off depression and anxiety. “Pets are also a great motivator for people. Dogs

especially are great at encouraging owners to get ​exercise​, and this can be beneficial for those

suffering from ​depression​. Pets can also have calming effects on their owner. Just by stroking,

sitting next to or playing with a pet can gives owning a chance to relax and calm their minds.

Caring for a pet also gives your day purpose and reward, and a sense of achievement. It also
 helps you feel valuable and needed.” Says the Mental

Health Foundation of the UK, after doing research on

the overall mental and physical effects of dogs on their

human counterparts. “A pet is great companion. They

give owners company, a sense of security and someone

to share the routine of the day with. Pets can be

especially valuable company for those in later life and

living alone” (MHFUK paragraph 2). Dogs have an

unprecedented calming effect on their owners/handlers. Not only this, but with people who are

diagnosed with different ailments and disabilities, dogs can play clinical roles in aiding in

coping/healing with their sicknesses. “People in later life experiencing typical life stresses can

be comforted by a companion pet. It is thought that a dog can be a stress buffer that softens the

effects of adverse events on a person. With an animal in the home, people with ​Alzheimer's​ are

thought to have fewer anxious outbursts.” Explains the institution. But not only is this limited to

people suffering from alzheimer's, but children with autism and ADHD. “Children with ADHD can

benefit from working with and keeping a pet​. Taking charge of the jobs on a pet care schedule,

such as feeding, walking and bathing, helps a child learn to plan and be responsible. Pets need

to play, and playing with a pet is an great way to release excess energy. Your child can burn off

energy walking a dog or running around with a kitten, making them more relaxed later in the day

and calmer at night. Fresh air and good circulation from aerobic exercise increases oxygen-filled

blood flow to a child's brain, therefore increasing their ability to concentrate. Children with ADHD

are used to their parents trying to calm them down or reprimanding them. A pet is a great

listener, and offers unconditional love and will not criticize a child for having too much energy.

This can aid a child's self-confidence” (MHFUK paragraph 6). “Sensory issues are common
among children with ​autism​. Sensory integration activities are designed to help them get used to

the way something feels against their skin or how it smells or sounds. Dogs and horses have

both been used for this purpose. Children with autism often find it calming to work with animals.

It has been claimed that in the case of people with autism, animals can reduce stereotyped

behavior, lessen sensory sensitivity, and increase the desire and ability to connect socially with

others. ​Further research​ into this area needs to be carried out however”​ ​(MHFUK paragraph 7).

Dogs are a whole new stimulus for children with sensory discomfort, and are great listeners for

children suffering from ADHD who are often simply reprimanded by their parents, and thus are

not trusted by the child for conversation.

Dogs have coexisted with us humans since the beginning, and continue to be our life

long friends. While they may cost a pretty penny, chase squirrels and leaves, and even bark

when nothing is there, dogs make us feel good. They improve our mental states and help us

through hard times. They guide those who are blind, and comfort those who have social

anxieties. From wolves to our best friends, dogs have stayed, sat, and paw shaked their way

into the everyday life of almost all humans today.

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