| The domestic dog is loyal and courageous, | | | | Most scientists think that the wolf is the principal |
| intelligent and adaptable. Useful as well as | | | | ancestor of our domestic dog. But jackals, |
| affectionate, the dog guards people's flocks, plays | | | | coyotes, and dingoes undoubtedly also contributed |
| with their children, and helps them hunt. A loving | | | | their blood to the domestic dog. For example, |
| pet, the dog is known as a trusted companion. | | | | many dogs of India are almost identical with |
| Wherever human beings live--whether in an | | | | jackals in appearance. And the American Indians |
| Eskimo village, a jungle clearing, or a crowded | | | | had dogs that looked like coyotes. |
| city--dogs live, too. In the United States alone, | | | | How did people first tame these wild dogs? |
| about 34 million dogs are kept as pets. Some are | | | | Thousands of years ago, primitive people lived in |
| mongrels. Others are pedigreed--for through | | | | caves and hunted with clubs, spears, and other |
| selective breeding people have created many | | | | crude weapons. Wolves or other wild dogs often |
| distinct kinds of dogs. In North America alone, | | | | lived near them. Skulking about their campfires, |
| more than 120 standard breeds are recognized. | | | | these animals cleaned up the bones and scraps of |
| People admire domestic dogs. But they usually | | | | meat people threw away. Sometimes primitive |
| fear the dog's untamed relatives--the wolves, | | | | people killed the wild dogs when they tried to |
| coyotes, jackals, foxes, and other species that | | | | steal their meat. At other times they probably |
| make up the family Canidae, or doglike mammals. | | | | picked up roly-poly wolf or jackal puppies as |
| There has always been open warfare between | | | | playmates for their children. |
| wild dogs and people. As carnivores (meat | | | | These puppies grew up tame and affectionate. |
| eaters), wild dogs often compete with people for | | | | People gradually learned that they made good |
| prey. Sometimes they attack domestic stock as | | | | hunting companions as well as pets. Then, much |
| well. People may be forced to kill wild dogs in | | | | later, people found that that they could breed |
| order to protect themselves and their livestock. | | | | their best hunting dogs with their speediest dogs |
| It has been only recently that people started to | | | | and get offspring with the best qualities of both |
| realize that dogs in the wild if kept in confined | | | | parents. Through crossbreeding, different kinds of |
| spaces contribute more good than inflict harm. | | | | dogs began to develop. Ancient sculptures show |
| They help to control destructive rodents. And | | | | us that the Assyrians had huge mastiff-like dogs |
| where game animals threaten to become too | | | | that they used for lion-hunting in 600 BC. And long |
| plentiful, wild dogs remove many that might | | | | before then the Egyptians had dogs that looked |
| otherwise starve to death. In short, they play a | | | | like greyhounds. |
| part in nature's checks and balances. | | | | |