The question of the origin of the dog remains open to this day. It is not precisely established from which ancestor and in which part of the globe the dog originated. Some scientists suggest that the ancestors of the distant ancestors of dogs could be wolves and jackals. Proof of this is the biological proximity of species, the similarity of their external forms, internal structure and behavior. Others consider it more probable that the dog descended from several extinct distant species, the remains of which were found in later deposits of the Tertiary period. Scientific research has shown that the most distant ancestors of dogs existed in North America 38 - 26 million years ago and belonged to predators - hesperocyons, from which many families of carnivores, including canines, subsequently descended. The very first dogs arose 10 million years ago and, along the isthmus that existed on the site of the present Bering Strait, reached the territory of Asia, Europe and Africa, where their offspring spread.

The most ancient breeds of northern fork-shaped dogs could have originated from a domesticated wild wolf. Subsequently, many shepherd dogs descended from them. This assumption is confirmed by the found remains of different types of primitive dogs in the northwestern and northeastern regions of our continent.

Sled huskies are also similar to wolves. Many of the oldest breeds of southern dogs supposedly descended from the domesticated wild jackal, which always settled near human habitation, thereby protecting themselves from attacks by large predators. In addition, jackals warned people about the approach of wild animals. Among small breeds you can find dogs that are very similar in appearance to jackals.

Some small breeds (Spitzers, Pinschers, Terriers) descended from the turf dog, and the group of Great Danes has an independent ancestor with a powerful build.

The oldest remains of a dog were discovered in 1862 in pile structures of Swiss lakes dating back to the Neolithic period. They belonged to a small dog called Peat. Later, the remains of a similar dog were found during excavations near Munich, in caves in Belgium, in Egyptian tombs, and in Russia - on the coast of Lake Ladoga, in the Vladimir province. Egyptian monuments from 3400–2100 BC depict dogs of various breeds, most of which resemble greyhounds. Later monuments from this period depict dogs similar to hounds and dachshunds, and an Assyrian monument from around 640 BC shows a large mastiff.

Enough examples of this kind can be given to confirm that various breeds of dogs already existed several thousand years ago. These were mainly hunting and watchdogs.

The works of the ancient Greek writer Plutarch and the Roman writer and scientist Pliny say that dogs in ancient times were widely used in human economic activity, they were highly valued. For example, a good dog in ancient Germany was exchanged for 2 horses.

The great role of dogs and their exceptional devotion to humans were repeatedly mentioned by Lucretius, Apollo, and Herodotus. People have tried to use dogs for different purposes. For example, for military purposes. Judging by the monuments that have survived to our time, at first dogs were used to guard fortresses: with the onset of darkness, the dogs were taken outside the walls of military fortifications, and they notified the guards about the approach of the enemy with a loud bark. Later, dogs began to be used to attack and fight the enemy. Protective shells with sharp metal spikes were put on specially trained strong and vicious animals and launched at the enemy. In wars of the slave period, usually, the first attacking line was dogs, followed by armed slaves, and only after them - wine.

Time passed. One social system was replaced by another. New branches of human activity expanded and appeared, life changed, and the cultural level of man grew. Along with this, the dog, his faithful companion, also underwent changes. New breeds appeared, in which certain qualities of the animal were strengthened or weakened. Sometimes the vagaries of fashion played a major role in the development of a breed (usually decorative). If earlier a person was engaged in breeding dogs and forming breeds almost blindly, then the rapid development of science and knowledge of the laws of genetics helped him bring a certain order to this work.

As a result of domestication, dogs have undergone significant changes in the structure and functions of the body, their appearance and behavior have changed. Domestic dogs now have drooping ears, a curved tail, and the ability to bark and wag their tail. They also acquired new character traits: attachment to humans, devotion to the owner, obedience, and the ability to quickly train.

When we were thinking about what breed we could have at home, the most important question was how to raise a dog. We are still raised by our parents, but here we ourselves have to teach someone, make them good. As it turns out, many books have been written on the topic of education, and there are many definitions of the concept of education.

We realized that education is a dialogue, a conversation between a child and the one who educates him. As a result of this dialogue, both sides are educated. Parents become more competent, loving, and attentive. The child gets the same. We are sure that raising a dog in a family occurs in a similar way. A dog teaches us devotion, fidelity, the ability to be responsible and independent. We give the dog our love, attention, friendship. Of course, you need to know who you are raising. Here are some characteristics of the breeds:

The English Cocker Spaniel is an ideal domestic dog, charming, intelligent, with a cheerful and easy-going character.

The English Cocker Spaniel matures at 1.5-2 years of age, with an average life expectancy of 12 years. The height of females is 38-39 cm, males 39-40, weight ranges from 12.7 to 14.5

The character of the English Cocker Spaniel is characterized by energy combined with balance. These are attentive, brave, friendly dogs, the main character traits of which are love and devotion to the owner and his family, as well as a passion for field hunting.

The spaniel has a very sensitive nervous system, which reduces the effectiveness of physical punishment. The reaction may be too strong, so it is best to avoid its use. However, from the very beginning of raising a dog, “strict kindness” is required.

English toy spaniel. These dogs had the status of companion dogs or "couch dogs", and gained great popularity in the 17th century - partly due to the fashion established by King Charles II. These sweet, kind dogs are always happy to please their owner and usually deserve the highest rewards for obedience. They are distinguished by their friendliness and playful disposition. They are devoted to all family members and are very attached to children, although if the children are too small and noisy, the spaniel quickly gets bored.

Terriers are separated into a separate group. These dogs are extremely self-confident, but at the same time charming, they can become wonderful pets and provide many joyful moments. "Terrier" comes from French, where it means "to go underground". Traditionally, terriers were small, aggressive dogs kept to hunt farm animals such as rats, badgers and foxes. But among terriers there are also hunting dogs. West Highland White Terriers are primarily known for their work in advertising. The snow-white fur of these animals is a kind of symbol of purity and reliability, which ensures their popularity all over the world.

West Highland Terriers were specially bred so that their light color would be clearly visible against the background of the Scottish landscape and they could be easily distinguished from the game they chase. They get along well with children, are very smart, easy to train and can fit well into family life.

The dachshund is a long, short-legged dog with a compact body and deep chest. There are six varieties of dachshunds: two varieties that differ in size (standard and miniature), and three varieties that differ in coat type (smooth-haired, wire-haired and long-haired). A standard dachshund weighs 6.5-11.5 kg, a miniature dachshund weighs less than 4 kg. The ancestors of dachshunds were dogs from Ancient Egypt with a long body and short legs. Modern dachshunds are descended from clumsy, bow-legged dogs that weighed about 14 kg and had the elegance of a pregnant otter; Looking at these ancient dogs with surprise, hardly anyone recognizes them as modern, elegant, multi-talented dachshunds. This breed is a typical hound in type, it has also acquired other abilities. In addition to the fact that it can work well on the scent, miniature dachshunds are also successfully used as terriers for hunting burrowing animals, and long-haired ones often bring game from the water, not inferior to setters in this. The dachshund is smart, quick-witted, clean and hardworking. This is one of the most resilient dogs.

Poodle. This is what V.R. Petrichenko wrote about this wonderful breed in his book “Poodle”: “The image of a poodle is familiar to everyone from childhood. It is enough to recall at least the wonderful poodle Artemon from the wonderful fairy tale “The Golden Key”. Or the white poodle from the story of Alexander Ivanovich Kuprin. What kind of breed is this and why do many dog ​​lovers - both amateurs and professionals - often choose this particular breed?

The poodle in the full sense of the word can be considered a symbol of a decorative dog, but one should not forget about its versatility. The versatility lies in its origin - among the ancestors of the poodle are a hunting dog (retriever), a sheep shepherd, and a shaggy watchman. Poodles are sociable, affectionate, playful and at the same time very brave dogs. They are extremely attached to their owners, responsive and excellently trained. Most poodles have enviable strength of character, endurance, disease resistance and long life. They are unpretentious, extremely intelligent and are also predisposed to friendship with other animals, be they dogs, cats or horses.

Poodles are ideal nannies and partners in children's games and are irreplaceable on walks, where they literally “herd” their owners, especially children. In the home, poodles are well-behaved and playful, obedient and proactive, carefree and alert. But at the same time, poodles are very sensitive to pain and do not tolerate rough treatment; they require attention and care, affection, patience and tact from the owner. The poodle clearly owes its excellent hunting qualities to the spaniel. Long hanging ears, coffee color, common in this breed, are clear confirmation of this. In the modern world, poodles are one of the most common breeds.

Collie is a very beautiful and graceful dog, but at the same time strong and agile. The character of a collie often combines opposite traits. On the one hand, the collie is very kind and sensitive, but on the other hand, she is stubborn and lazy. She always senses danger very well, especially if it threatens her owner or children. Collie is aristocratic, intelligent, loyal and non-aggressive, although she is distrustful of people who for some reason she does not like. These dogs need to be trained gently but persistently, carefully capturing the dog’s mood and condition. Otherwise, she will not be able to learn even the simplest commands. Collie is a strong, energetic and active dog. In some areas it is still used for grazing. Thanks to her intelligence, she is also highly valued as a guard dog, rescue dog (especially on water and in fires) and as a guide dog for blind children.

Scotch tape. Scotch has a comical appearance with an extraordinary sense of self-esteem. The emphatically cheerful sticking out carrot tail, high-set, alert ears (neither of which are docked in Scotch) are amusingly combined with long eyebrows and a thick beard, giving him the appearance of a wise old man, as well as the famous skirt - the pride of any Scotsman. Scotch values ​​true friendship and knows a lot about it. He is not intrusive and unburdened in his desires, he is ready to wait patiently for you to keep you company on a walk, in a game or in another undertaking.

By nature, Scotch is very curious, and this quality coexists in them with truly English restraint. Scotch is not touchy, but rather condescending to your actions, ready for action at any moment, if, of course, this is expected of him.

In general, the Scotch is a perfectly balanced dog, giving the impression of great strength concentrated in a small body. Despite his short legs, he has surprisingly light, free and confident movements that distinguish a harmoniously built dog. He is as enthusiastic as any terrier, but excessive excitability and aggressiveness are serious faults, just like timidity or cowardice.

Afghan Hound. Strong, hardy, but not as fast as other greyhounds, the Afghan hound in its homeland was used as a guard and herding dog, as well as for hunting antelope, wolf, jackal and other animals. Self-confident, dominant, sensitive, she does not like to be bothered. Strongly attached to the owner, he behaves aloof and even arrogantly with strangers. Needs persistent, but not rough training.

Pug. Outwardly, the pug resembles a smaller copy of a mastiff, but even some internal character traits, such as a kind of arrogance and independence, reveal in him a real mastiff, only a dwarf. This touching combination of small stature with the surprising courage of a large dog for its size when it comes to protecting its owner has made the pug a favorite of many dog ​​breeders and continues to attract more and more admirers to it. A properly raised pug is a charming lap dog, whose large and slightly sad eyes express a lively mind and constant attention. He is unusually devoted to his owner, loves to play with him and understands him perfectly. Small, but strong, very viable, without the slightest signs of dwarfism or degeneration. So strong that even with a strong desire, a child is unlikely to torture a pug. A bit heavy to carry for a long time. But it is hardy enough to walk long distances on its own. The pug is absolutely not influenced by dog ​​fashion - just as it was born “fully equipped”, with ears and a tail, it lives its entire life. Character - balanced. The psyche is iron. And, at the same time, the pug, like all small dogs, is “a puppy until old age.” Such qualities as playfulness, sociability, inquisitiveness (even curiosity) and endless goodwill towards the entire world around him do not leave him until old age. The Pug is a universal animal.

Thus, getting to know dog breeds has expanded our understanding of the character and purpose of a dog. It turns out that dogs, like people, have individuality, which makes their behavior different from each other. We think that when choosing a dog breed, it is possible and important to take into account the breed and its characteristics. There are playful dogs, and there are serious ones. If you are missing a friend, any dog ​​will do, it is important to learn to accept his character and personality. To do this, the owner of the dog, that is, we, needs to have such traits as strict kindness, patience, tact.

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