A dog is a companion, a loyal friend, and a source of comfort. He is a natural-born guard and watches over his master’s house. He barks when he sees strangers near the house and never lets anything belonging to his master go missing. He can also sense fear and other emotions in his human master. He helps the police catch thieves and criminals by using his sharp sense of smell to find them.
Dogs are the domesticated form of wolves (Canis lupus familiaris). They vary in size, from the small teacup Chihuahua to the giant Great Dane. In the wild, they hunt animals for food and mark their territory by urinating or rubbing their scent on things. Dogs are primarily carnivores but may also eat some vegetables and fruits.
As dogs became more comfortable sharing space with humans, they were bred for specific physical and behavioral traits. They were shaped into sled dogs to pull sledges in the cold, German shepherds to herd livestock, and dachshunds to rush down badger burrows.
While many people love their dogs, some people consider them to be unnecessary for human society and treat them as disposable objects. Other people view dogs as a source of emotional support and help them cope with psychological or physical problems. People also value dogs as companions and playmates. They are also used in hunting, search and rescue missions, and to assist people with disabilities. Dogs can alert the blind to approaching danger, sniff out bombs, and rescue living creatures from piles of rubble.