Category: Dog

Pit bulls, often the subject of controversy and misunderstanding, deserve a fair and informed perspective. These dogs, known for their strength and loyalty, have been unjustly stigmatized due to misconceptions perpetuated by media sensationalism and biased portrayals. It’s time to set the record straight and advocate for a more balanced understanding of pit bulls, focusing on responsible ownership and promoting positive interactions with these animals.

Challenging Stereotypes

Pit bulls have gained an undeserved reputation as aggressive and dangerous dogs. However, it’s important to note that no breed is inherently dangerous; it’s the environment and treatment that shape their behavior. Pit bulls, like any other breed, can be loving, loyal, and well-behaved companions when raised in a caring and responsible home.

Media Sensationalism

Media plays a significant role in shaping public perception of pit bulls. Sensationalized stories of pit bull attacks dominate headlines, perpetuating the negative stereotype. Yet, these instances are often outliers, overshadowing countless positive interactions between pit bulls and humans. By focusing on responsible ownership and responsible media coverage, we can begin to shift this narrative.

Loyalty and Affection

Pit bulls are renowned for their loyalty and affection toward their owners. Countless stories highlight their protective nature, making them excellent family pets. Advocates of pit bulls often share tales of their dogs’ unwavering loyalty, demonstrating that these dogs can be gentle and loving companions.

Community Impact

Promoting responsible pit bull ownership can have a positive impact on communities. Encouraging proper training, socialization, and responsible behavior on the part of owners can help mitigate any potential risks associated with dog ownership. Well-trained pit bulls can become therapy dogs, service animals, and even participate in community outreach programs, breaking down the negative stereotype.

Education and Training

Education is key to dispelling the myths surrounding pit bulls. Proper training and socialization are essential for any dog breed, and pit bulls are no exception. With the right training, they can thrive in various environments and interact safely with people and other animals. By providing resources and support to pit bull owners, we can foster a community of responsible guardians.

Human-Canine Bond

The bond between humans and dogs is profound and well-documented. Pit bulls have the potential to form deep connections with their owners, offering companionship, protection, and emotional support. By recognizing the positive aspects of this relationship, we can encourage responsible pet ownership and the development of strong, loving bonds.

Rescue and Rehabilitation

Many pit bulls find themselves in shelters due to overbreeding, abandonment, or misguided fears. However, with the right care, training, and rehabilitation, these dogs can become wonderful pets. Rescue organizations are working tirelessly to give pit bulls a second chance, highlighting the potential for positive change when we treat these dogs with compassion and patience.

Promoting Positive Interactions

Creating positive interactions between pit bulls and the community is essential to overcoming prejudice. Public events, training classes, and educational programs can help familiarize people with the true nature of these dogs. Encouraging individuals to meet well-trained and socialized pit bulls can help dispel fears and shift perceptions.

Legislation and Advocacy

Laws and regulations targeting specific breeds, commonly known as breed-specific legislation (BSL), can perpetuate the negative stereotypes around pit bulls. Advocacy efforts should focus on encouraging responsible dog ownership across all breeds rather than targeting one specific type. By working together to promote responsible ownership and education, we can address the root causes of any negative behavior.

Conclusion

It’s time to challenge the misconceptions and stigmas associated with pit bulls. These dogs have the potential to be loving, loyal, and positive additions to families and communities. By focusing on responsible ownership, education, and promoting positive interactions, we can reshape public perception and advocate for fair treatment of pit bulls. It’s up to us to change the narrative and give pit bulls the chance they deserve to show their true colors as wonderful, affectionate companions.

In Alistair MacLeod’s short stories As Birds Bring Forth the Sun (Birds) and Winter Dog, MacLeod emphasizes the power of past memories to influence the present. In each story, both of which take place in Cape Breton, Macleod describes how fates and fortunes intertwine with the life and devotion of dogs with their male owners. In Winter Dog, the dog is a symbol of the narrator’s youth, while the canine in Birds symbolizes family myth or a deathly curse. The cultural depictions of dogs in both short stories symbolize guidance, protection, strength and faithfulness. They are also symbols of protective powers, loyalty and often appear in the myth and folklore of Celtic lands. Is having a dog in one of Macleod’s short stories a blessing, curse or both? This essay will look at both stories in detail.

“Brothers and sister I bid you beware/Of giving your heart to a dog to tear”. This quote taken from the poem The Power of the Dog by Kipling, illustrates the torment the owner of a dog faces should they embark on owning one. Dogs can be a source of such joy in your life but this is also matched or even surpassed by the pain and sorrow they can also bring as anyone who has owned a dog or several in their lifetime can well attest. The agony of owning a dog can come from many sources: the dog can die too soon of an illness or an accident or worse, the dog can live fifteen years and then tear your heart out because you loved it for so long. For the narrators in both stories, owning a dog comes with an understanding that it will be a blessing or curse and that the truth will surface eventually about which one it is.

The dogs in these short stories arrived as pups (in a box or crate) from elsewhere. One dog saves a life (the golden one), while another dog (the grey one), mistakenly takes a life. The female dog in Birds (the title signifies a folk belief) “had been left, when a pup, at the family’s gate in a small handmade box and no one knew where she had come from or that she would eventually grow to such a size.” (MacLeod 118). The unnamed protagonist in the story Winter Dog, after seeing his children playing with a neighbour’s dog in their yard, recalls the time his family purchased a male dog when he “was twelve and he came as a pup of about two months in a crate to the railroad station which was about eight miles from where we lived.” (MacLeod 36).

The strength of both dogs is remarked upon early in each story. In the opening paragraph of Birds, the dog is given the heroic Gaelic name, cù mòr glas (the big grey one). The Irish word for hound is cù, which is also “the first syllable in the name of the great heroes Cùchulainn and Cù Roi.” (Monaghan 132). It is fascinating that MacLeod chose the colour grey for the dog in Birds because in Celtic mythology and folklore, it is the black dog that warns of war, death or death-warning (Monaghan 132). The green dog in Celtic mythology, Cù Síth, barked loudly but could only bark three times, however on the third bark, “it sprang forward and devoured anyone nearby.” (Monaghan 132). The name of cù mor glas is altered later in the story.

Cù mor glas is described by her owner as “large and grey, a sort of staghound from another time. And if she jumped up to lick his face, which she loved to do, she would be on the verge of knocking him down and he would be forced to take two or three backward steps before he could regain his balance.” (MacLeod 118). This habit of the grateful dog jumping up to lick the man’s face illustrates her loyalty to her owner (also an ominous warning of a future event). She is so strong that, while still a puppy, cù mòr glas survives being run over by the “steel wheel of a horse-drawn cart” suffering from crushed ribs and broken bones (MacLeod 118).

The dog is grateful to her owner for nursing her back to health from her carriage injury despite his family urging that “her neck be broken by his strong hands or that he grasp her by the hind legs and swing her head against a rock, thus putting an end to her misery.” (MacLeod 119). The dog must have known she was a lost cause so she was appreciative of her owner’s unwavering care for her as by all rights she should have died from that accident and her later injuries. In her book, Shameless: The Canine and the Feminine in Ancient Greece, Cristiana Franco states that “when the master raises and cares for the dog, the ethical model that regulates their relationship tends to appear, through the language of duty and debt for care received, quite parallel to that of parent-child relationships.” (Franco 123).

The narrator in Winter Dog describes his golden canine as “tremendously strong and in the winter months I would hitch him to a sleigh which he pulled easily and willingly on almost any kind of surface. When he was harnessed I used to put a collar around his neck and attach a light line to it so that I might have some minimum control over him, but it was hardly ever needed. He would pull home the Christmas tree or bag of flour or the deer which was shot far back in the woods; and when we visited our winter snares he would pull home the gunnysacks which contained the partridges and rabbits we gathered.” (MacLeod 38). Here the dog proves his loyalty because he was purchased to be a cattle collie dog and, ultimately, as a working dog, “turned out to be no good at all and no one knew why.” (MacLeod 37). Dogs proving their loyalty to their masters dates back to ancient times. In fact, when the last king of the Persians died, Darius III, everyone abandoned him except his loyal dog. His dog remained at his side despite knowing he would no longer be nurtured by Darius (Franco 47).

Perhaps the dog sensed that specific duties were expected of him and when he brought “panic instead of order and to make things worse instead of better” (MacLeod 37), his owner stuck by him and the dog rewarded him with unwavering loyalty and strength. Or, as Franco states in her book, that “even when it performs tasks on a human being’s behalf, the dog acts with autonomy: it’s up to the dog to decide whether it will respect the command or not.” (Franco 170). The dog was also described unfavourably as “worse than nothing” (38). Yet still, the family stuck by him despite the dog being unremarkable in almost every way and he “continued to grow grey and golden and was, as everyone agreed, a beautiful-looking dog.” (MacLeod 38). Unlike the dog in Birds who warranted being named, the dog in Winter Dog was never given a name. Perhaps this was due to the unworthiness of the mutt (he was suspected of having German Shepherd blood), or the narrator simply thought this detail unimportant.

The dog in Birds eventually healed from her injuries and the family gradually became accustomed to her. One day, during a spring thaw, the dog bolted for some unbeknownst reason, never to return. The family, in addition to the father who raised her and nursed her back to health, had become attached to her and were morose at the dog’s sudden departure. A full year passed from the time the dog vanished to the day when the father and two of his teenaged sons were fishing by a small islet and he spotted his beloved dog on top of the island’s highest hill. He shouted out “M’eudal cù mòr glas”, which meant “dear or darling” in Gaelic (MacLeod 121). The dog saw his former owner and darted down the hill at once. Cù mòr glas jumped up and put her large paws on his shoulders as she used to do when she was younger. The father was on unstable ground, however, and he fell under the weight of the enormous dog. On the same hill cù mòr glas had come sprinting down, six more dogs suddenly appeared over the top of the hill. They had never seen this stranger, who was still struggling under their mother and mistook her actions as one of self-defence. Or perhaps these pups attacked because they had not been raised by humans and had grown up in the wilds of Cape Breton. Their animal instincts quickly took over:

They fell upon him in a fury, slashing his face and tearing aside his lower jaw and ripping out his throat, crazed with blood-lust or duty or perhaps starvation. The cù mòr glas turned on them in her own savagery, slashing and snarling and, it seemed, crazed by their mistake; driving them bloodied and yelping before her, back over the brow of the hill where they vanished from sight but could still be heard screaming in the distance. It all took perhaps little more than a minute (MacLeod 121-122)

The father died from his wounds and the dog and her pups were never seen again, or “never seen again in the same way.” (MacLeod 123). Over the years, there were sporadic sightings of cù mòr glas and she grew into a legend like “the Loch Ness Monster or the Sasquatch on a smaller scale.” (MacLeod 123). The younger son on the boat that fateful day began having nightmares of his father being torn to shreds. He started to call the dog the cù mòr glas á bhàis, the big grey dog of death. His night terrors became so frequent that he imagined he saw the dog everywhere and he wound up taking his own life with a fishing knife to the throat and then plunging into the ocean. Another brother lived until the age of forty but was killed outside a pub in Glasgow one night by a “large, grey-haired man” and supposedly, “six other large, grey-haired men who beat him to death on the cobblestones” (124). The colour grey and the number six figured prominently in the death of this particular brother. The family blamed this on the curse of the cù mòr glas á bhàis, and would continue to do so for generations. Near the end of the story, the narrator is in the hospital with his five “grey-haired” brothers, keeping vigil by their dying father. The oldest brother drove down from Montreal and took great pains to avoid “Greyhound” bus stations just to not tempt fate. The family is well aware that their beliefs of the big grey dog of death are seen as strange by most and shared by no one but them, but there are also “men who believe the earth is flat and that the birds bring forth the sun.” (MacLeod 127).

As we can see, the dog in Birds started off as a blessing but resulted in a curse for the owner and future generations of his family.

The short story Winter Dog does not dwell in the world of mythology like Birds, and in contrast, it turns a curse into a blessing. The latter part of the story in Winter Dog focuses on the narrator as a boy, going with his dog to check their snares one snowy winter Sunday. The dog and his owner spotted a dead seal on the ice and decided to inspect it. The narrator decided to take the seal home and strapped a harness to his dog and attached him to a sleigh. The dog suddenly became uneasy and started to whine but the owner did not pay attention to the dog’s clairvoyant behaviour. After about two hundred yards, the dog and sleigh crashed through the thin ice and plunged into the icy depths. When the dog popped out of the ice, the owner frantically tried to grab him by the collar. He managed to free the dog from the water and took off the harness. The dog then began to walk around him in circles whining once more as perhaps a warning, and then bolted for the trees. The boy continued along, only to fall through the ice himself. He cried out and his loyal dog returned immediately, though the dog was himself freezing and afraid. As the dog moved closer to his owner in the ice, the boy grabbed the dog’s harness. The resilient dog then backed up pulling the boy out of the freezing water. Now both were in fear of hypothermia, but the dog lead his owner back safely through the snowstorm and to home.

The boy was so afraid of being found foolish or disobedient that he snuck back into the house with the dog, changed his clothes and then went downstairs to the party going on in his house. Some guests wondered why the dog was soaking wet but the boy never “told any one of the afternoon’s experience or that he had saved my life.” (MacLeod 47). Two years after saving his master’s life, the dog was shot in a neighbour’s yard. Despite being shot and losing a lot of blood, the mighty dog still managed to drag himself three-quarters of a mile towards home. The boy later learns that his own father had asked the neighbour to shoot the dog: that same dog who had saved his son’s life two years earlier: that same dog that began as a curse to the family who had spent good money to get him only to end up as a blessing as a lifesaver. The dog was killed for many reasons:

The dog had become increasingly powerful and protective, to the extent that people were afraid to come in the yard. And he had also bitten two of the neighbour’s children and caused them to be frightened of passing our house on their journeys to and from school. And perhaps there was also the feeling in the community that he was getting more than his share of the breeding: that he travelled farther than other dogs on his nightly forays and that he fought off and injured the other smaller dogs who might compete with him for female favours. Perhaps there was fear that his dominance and undesirable characteristics did not bode well for future generations. (MacLeod 48-49)

The narrator, now a father, recalls the memory of his dog as he sees his own children playing with a dog. He now knows he is only alive to father his children solely based on the unselfish actions of his faithful dog who placed himself in harm’s way to save his owner’s life and then was killed for his loyalty. The recollection of his dog “persists in [his] memory and in [his] life and he persists physically as well. There, in the golden-grey dogs with their black-tipped ears and tails, sleeping in the stables or in the lees of woodpiles or under the porches or curled beside the houses which face towards the sea.” (MacLeod 49).

As we can see, the dogs in both stories remained etched in the memories of those they had touched long after they were gone. Both dogs initially blessed their owners with unwavering loyalty and support but then were paradoxically damned for simply being what they were, dogs. For the owners in the stories, having a dog acted as both a blessing and a curse. The family of Birds did not try to uncover their blessing but rather succumbed to their generational affliction. As the narrator in Winter Dog acknowledges, a curse should immediately follow on the heels of a blessing-that being, without the sacrifice of his golden dog, he would not be alive today.

Dogs that are created by crossing two distinct pedigree dogs are called Mixed Breeds or Designer Dogs. It is a general belief that pedigree dogs are purebred dogs and are better than mixed breeds. Many feel that non-pedigree dogs are just not capable enough to be added to the list of other dogs. But this so-called list has been made by us humans themselves. These so-called purebred dogs were not naturally created.

They were themselves designer dogs sometime in the past.

Are Mixed Breeds Healthy??

Despite the popular belief that only purebreds are healthy, the reality is not so.

Mixed breeds are healthy!

This is because of something called hybrid vigor. According to the Institute of Canine Biology, purebreds are said to have chances of health disputes and also chances of having a shorter life span.

The health of a dog depends on a lot of factors like the genes, the environment it was brought up in, etc. The fact is that by creating mixed breeds, the gene pool increases which in turn enhances the vitality and health of the dog. The people who breed these dogs should have health tested the parent dogs for their genetic faults if any and give them the proper care which they require. If so then definitely a very healthy mixed breed will be developed.

Here we are going to talk about the Labernese Dog which is a combination of two such purebreds the Labradors and Bernese Dog.

History of Labrador

This is originally a Canadian Dog and was called the St.John’s Dog after the capital city of Newfoundland from where they originated. In the 1700s there were bred as the fisherman’s companion.

They were used by the fisherman for retrieving nets, lines, and fish. During the 1800s some English sportsmen who were visiting Newfoundland liked these dogs so much that they decided to take them back home to England.

There in England, there were used mainly for hunting and were called Labradors.

By the end of 1800, this breed was lost in Canada due to some changes in the breeding laws. But by then the Labradors had become extremely popular in England. In 1903 the English Kennel Club recognized the Labrador and in 1917 the American Kennel Club.

Today the Labradors are used in various fields like the military, police, therapy, people with special needs, detective work, etc. These dogs are very popular in many countries mainly for their sweet nature, loyalty, and high energy.

Labradors are highly intelligent, easy to train, and always ready to please their owners. He is very active, loves to play, and being a friendly social dog attracts a lot of attention wherever he goes.

The Labradors are the only breed to claim the most popular breed title at the American Kennel Club for the past ten years.

History of Bernese Dog

The Bernese Dog is a very old dog and comes from the Swiss Alps. It is believed that the ancestors of these Bernese dogs were brought to the Swiss thousands of years ago by the invading Romans. It gets its name from Bern the capital city of Swiss. Here in the mountains, he was used to helping out in the vast alpine farms. He was also a guard and farm dog and for pulling carts.

By the end of the 19th century, most of the Swiss people had moved out of agriculture and so did not find the need for a dog to herd their cattle.

But some good hearts felt the need to preserve their native dog and so a club was formed to prevent these dogs from being lost. It was only after the First World War that these dogs were imported to England and America. They were recognized by the American Kennel Club only in 1937.

Today the Bernese Dog is also known as the Berner Dog. He is a very intelligent dog, gentle, affectionate, and very tolerant.

He is a total family dog and just loves the company of his owners. Being a very large dog he requires a lot of early training and socialization as only then he can manage with his dominant size. He takes time to behave maturely when compared to other dogs.

His origin comes from the cold Swiss Alps he can thrive very well in cold weather. They are very imposing but not threatening and always maintain a very aloof dignity with strangers.

History of Labernese

Two popular working breeds the Labrador and the Bernese dogs have joined forces to create a new breed the Labernese which is very irresistible. For all dogs whether it is a purebred or crossbreed, the health of the dog depends mainly on the genetic makeup and the environment in which they were brought up.

The purpose of cross-breeding the Labrador and the Bernese was to create a near-perfect dog to help the blind and disabled.

This breed was developed by The Mira Foundation, a Canadian guide dog training center in the 1990s. The foundation got its name from the Labrador Mirabelle who was one of the first dogs trained by its founder Eric St-Pierre.

Eric cross-bred the easy-going strong Labradors and the loyal, clever Bernese dogs intending to create a specific breed to be used only for assistance. The foundation uses a very strict breeding standard so that they only develop dogs with the right constitution to take care of the blind.

The appearance of the Labernese

The exact appearance of each of the Labernese is very difficult to predict. The male Labernese dogs could be anywhere between 24 to 28 inches in height whereas the female could be between 22 to 26 inches. The weight of a male could be generally between 65-110 pounds and a female between 55 to 95 pounds. This is a very wide range but well this is what your Labernese could be owing to its parents’ height and weight.

The Labernese dogs have a double coat which is dominantly black but you could also see shades of white, rust, or tan. They could be either solid or a mix of these two or three colors. The coat’s length is medium and mostly dense and a little wavy in texture. The Labernese shed their coat a lot so it requires a lot of brushing sessions.

There could be rust markings found over each eye, on the cheeks, on either side of the chest, or on each leg. White color patches are found on the muzzle, chest, and feet. Their eyes are mostly dark, almond-shaped with a very friendly expression.

The nose is also black and the ears are mostly triangular and are set high on the head. This breed has very strong legs and is well-built with a strong chest.

The temperament of the Labernese

The Labernese is an affectionate, intelligent gentle giant. They are always eager to please their family. There is nothing more for them than being around their families. It is because of this nature that they find it very difficult when left alone and they could suffer from separation anxiety. They are well-built dogs with lots of energy, so they need a lot of workouts daily to burn off this energy.

They are good-natured and quite patient. They love playing with kids but if your child is very small you will have to monitor them because his big size can topple your child.

The Labernese always alert their owners when an intruder approaches them and so are good guard dogs. But sometimes due to their friendly nature, they are unlikely to be aggressive to strangers. As they are easy to train they are the most suitable dogs for first-time owners.

Exercise and Training

By nature, the Labernese are very active dogs and are the happiest if they are given lots of exercises to do be it in the park, in the mountains, or in water. As he is easy to train it is always better to start training them at an early age.

Studies have shown that only positive methods should be used during training. Harsh and rude methods will only make him adamant and stubborn and he will not go on with his training. If the best results are to be got from the training a friendly approach is required. If you need a well-behaved dog then you need to find the time to train and exercise him daily.

A study carried out in 2014 shows that those dogs which were exercised well are the happiest. They showed fewer signs of anxiety, aggression, and fear toward humans than the dogs who were not exercised well.

They enjoy swimming so an occasional trip to the beach and some games of balls or frisbees would do good for him. They are good at dog sports and will do well in agility. As they are large dogs they would not like living in an apartment because of space issues. A house with a fenced yard would be ideal.

Since Labernese dog is a big dog early training on the leash is important so that he does not pull you away. Always try to be firm and consistent during training and exercise sessions. Do not forget to praise and reward him often. With the right approach to training, he will not require repetition from other dogs.

Feeding of Labernese Dog

As Labernese are large dogs an ideal diet should be formulated to meet up with their high energy levels. A healthy diet should be strictly followed as overeating can cause obesity and other weight-connected health problems especially if proper exercises are not followed.

Like all other normal dogs, the diet of a Labernese should be changed from puppyhood to adulthood and this change will continue right to their senior age. Always take your vet’s advice on the diet of your pet as there are far too many variations among each dog like weight, health, and energy.

The Health of Labernese Dog

The life expectancy of a Labernese dog could be about 8 to 12.5 years. Labernese dogs could suffer from a lot of genetic diseases. This could be reduced by proper health testing. The relatively common ailments with big dogs will also affect Labernese dogs.

• Hip and elbow dysplasia where their joints don’t develop properly
• Bloating which is a potentially risky disease for big dogs
• Exercise-induced collapse
• Von Willebrand’s disease – in this the dog suffers from bleeding disorders and sometimes this could be discovered only after your dog suffers from trauma or undergoes any surgery
• Eye problems like Progressive Retinal Atrophy or Centronuclear Myopathy
• Cancer – this breed stands a huge risk to cancer especially histiocytic sarcoma which could sometimes occur at the age of six years.
• Heart problems

Pros and Cons of Buying a Labernese

Whichever breed you buy there are always going to be some pros and cons to buying it. Nothing comes picture-perfect.

Pros

• Forms very strong bonding with their owners and their families.
• Fit in very well with active families
• Generally, they are caring
• Friendly towards children and other animals
• Easy to train
• Very loyal and intelligent

Cons

• Wary around strangers
• Cannot guarantee the qualities before buying one just like all other mixed breeds
• Some serious health conditions
• Require a lot of grooming
• Prone to separation anxiety if left alone

Conclusion

If you love Labradors and Bernese then for sure you will just love the Labernese dogs as well but it all depends on your lifestyle.

It is better to observe them as puppies at your breeder’s place or any rescue organization as it will offer you an insight into the kind of environment that would be required for a Labernese.

Being a crossbreed he will show characteristics of both his parents. Sometimes he may be like a Labrador requiring a lot of daily exercises. They would love outdoor family hiking and lengthy games of fetch. While sometimes they would be like the Bernese enjoying nature walks.

They would be less athletic and would be just content to spend time with you as your companion at your home.

We have to provide our dog with proper nutrition, care, attention, and regular visits to the vet to ensure he leads a healthy life. A healthy dog will be a happy dog. After all, dogs are social animals who want to be with their pack and you as their leader.

Despite the many arguments that a vast number of people will make that dogs cannot be man’s best friend it has become clear, for numerous reasons, that these arguments are wrong. Dogs are indeed man’s best friend.

Firstly, there is overwhelming evidence to suggest that the companionship of a dog can benefit many people suffering from terrible loneliness such as elderly people. Staggeringly almost 2 million people in the UK felt unappreciated, unwanted and ignored according to Age UK, one of the top charities involved with the older generation. Even more worrying is the fact that a substantial portion of these people also reported that they spent numerous consecutive days without any social interaction. This is horrific. Can you imagine the loneliness, the isolation, the feeling of being unwanted and meaning nothing? What if there were a solution to this? Dogs. A scheme called Dog Dates has been established in Melton Mowbray, a town in the East Midlands. The scheme’s brilliance comes as it allows these suffering people to participate in the contact with others that they both need and desire by being matched with a dog to allow them to walk a pooch without having to worry about the responsibilities involved with owning a dog. With their furry friend they are able to go out on walks and enjoy the great outdoors or even just relax. Dog Dates has already benefited a large number of people. One of the various people the scheme has helped is Doreen Barrat who has suffered previously from the horrific impacts of loneliness saying that she “lived in a flat which was extremely lonely” and would “wake up and think: ‘Oh no, another day’”. However, the companionship of the dog she was partnered with has changed her life for the better as “It means everything, It’s different. It’s living”. As the positive effects that the company of a dog are so obvious. It becomes clear that this is something we should embrace. With their brilliant and magical ability to help those suffering from loneliness, why would anyone argue that dogs are not man’s best friend?

Furthermore, dogs can help save many due to the wide range of benefits that a dog may have on a person’s physical health. There is strong evidence which shows that dogs can benefit people by improving their heart function, helping them to shed unwanted weight or even preventing allergies in young people. Multiple studies have proven that owning a dog leads to better heart health. The companionship that a dog brings reduces blood pressure and lowers cholesterol levels which results in an improved heart. Additionally, walking your pooch is greatly beneficial. The love and affection that many people have for their canine companions results in them genuinely enjoying the time they spend outside and therefore boosts the amount of exercise they engage in and results in weight loss. It has been proven that those who walked a dog frequently shed on average almost 15 pounds a year. Thirdly, dogs help to prevent allergies in young people. This has been proven by the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology who found that those who grew up with a dog were around 33% less likely to develop an allergy. This is such an astonishingly high rate. I urge you to realize the brilliant physical health benefits that a dog can bring to a person and therefore that dogs are indeed man’s best friend.

Moreover, it is clear that not only do dogs benefit a person’s physical health but they are also incredibly beneficial to our mental health. For example, dogs can lead to a reduction in stress, anxiety, depression and can also help those suffering from PTSD. Physical contact with a dog such as stroking it results in the release of a chemical called oxytocin, a hormone that leads to a reduced heart rate and a lower blood pressure. This allows many to destress and helps to reduce the vile and horrific effects of anxiety which prevent many from enjoying their lives as many live in constant panic. Likewise, depression can cause many to feel as if they have no purpose causing them to follow chaotic schedules and feeling unmotivated. Dogs have an outstanding impact on this, providing many with a reason to get up, go out and walk their dog. Similarly, the impact that dogs have on those with PTSD is also incredible. The terrible memories that PTSD sufferers have can haunt them both in the day and also as night terrors. The effect of oxytocin released from dogs is extremely soothing for these people. With mental benefits that are so obvious it is incredible to imagine that anyone could even doubt that dogs are man’s best friend.

Additionally, dogs are man’s best friend due to the important role that they play in today’s society. Dogs are vital to people today whether it be as guide dogs or dogs in the police force. The benefits that a guide dog brings to those with sight loss is extraordinary giving them the ability to live their lives more independently and with little assistance from others. As there are almost 5,000 guide dogs in the UK it is clear that the support from guide dogs is life changing for many. These dogs are also extremely intelligent as they are taught intelligent disobedience. This may not sound impressive but it is in fact crucial as it keeps many with sight loss safe. Intelligent disobedience is when the dog ignores commands given by the owner which are harmful. For example, walking into a busy road. Furthermore, the work done by dogs in the police force is also incredible. Police dogs are trained in many different ways with some trained to search for drugs or explosives and others may be trained to search for and hunt down criminals. These dogs also provide an intimidation factor, and in many cases protected their handlers from brutal injuries. One example of this was a heroic police dog called Finn. Even after being stabbed once Finn jumped between his handler and the criminal suffering near fatal injuries. However, he prevented his handler from receiving any injuries. This is just one example of the heroic abilities of police dogs. Once you realize the awe-inspiring skill and work that these dogs do it becomes clear that dogs are man’s best friend. Why else would dogs provide such great service?

Finally, whilst talking about dogs being man’s best friend, we cannot ignore their undying loyalty they have for people. One reason that dogs are so ferociously loyal is because of their ancestors. It is common knowledge that dogs are descendants of wolves and also that wolves are pack animals. For this reason, dogs have developed and evolved in such a way that they now view their owner as being the pack leader. Dogs were also bred to be like this. In the past people would only breed the most loyal dogs in order for them to be more effective workers. For both of these reasons dogs are extremely loyal to their owners. Moreover, the sight of their owners releases oxytocin in a dog’s brain. This hormone is only released when social bonds are created or strengthened in both dogs and humans. This makes it clear that dogs are loyal because they enjoy the company of their owners. This loyalty is clear evidence that dogs are man’s best friends.

Overall, it is clear that dogs are extremely beneficial to people in many different ways. The tremendous benefits such as improvement to physical and mental health are clear. How could anyone who brings this degree of benefits to people’s lives not be their best friend? For these reasons one thing becomes clear. Dogs are man’s best friend.

‘Assistance dog’ is a term defining a diverse range of dogs that have undergone training which allows them to help and support their owner who has a disability (Assistance Dogs International Inc., 2006). These animals perform a variety of tasks for their owners, depending on their role and their owner’s disability (Equality and Human Rights Commission, 2017).

Among the general public there is a lack of understanding around assistance dog terminology. Those in the industry use widely accepted terms, however, these terms may not be understood by the layperson. Many charitable organizations, such as Assistance Dogs International, have promoted the use of correct terminology in an endeavor to clear up misconceptions about disabilities and assistance dogs (Parenti et al., 2013). The vocabulary used in this essay will be derived from articles and guides on assistance dog law in the UK and abroad – I intend to discuss the diversity of types, uses and benefits of assistance dogs to highlight their impact on society.

History of Usage

Perhaps the earliest documented depiction of an assistance dog is that of a painting from 79AD found in Pompeii portraying a dog guiding a blind man (Fishman, 2003). In Germany, beginning in 1916 after the First World War, German Shepherd Dogs (GSDs) were trained to assist blind war veterans, with the first guide dog training school being established in Oldenburg. Whilst not the first example of animals being trained to serve disabled people, it is perhaps the most notable origin of the assistance dog (Fishman, 2003). Following the success of this scheme, training schools were established in Wurttemberg, and in Potsdam and Munich where the dogs were trained to serve blind civilians. Approximately 4,000 German people had guide dogs by 1927 (Fishman, 2003). The first guide dog training school in the UK was established in 1931 and is known today as Guide Dogs UK. Current statistics show that in the UK there are over 4,950 guide dog owners (Guide Dogs UK, 2019).

What Types of Assistance Dog Are There and What Do They Do to Help Their Owners?

Guide dogs are trained to lead their blind or visually impaired owner and help them navigate obstacles that may obstruct or harm them (Guide Dogs UK, 2019). These dogs allow increased owner mobility and assist their owner in locating places, people and objects. Guide dogs are trained to have a special awareness around them, as part of their role is to help direct their owner around obstacles at height and in busy, possibly dangerous, environmental situations, such as crossing roads (Sachs-Ericsson et al., 2002). Guide dogs are trained to walk in straight lines with their owner unless instructed to lead them another way. It is believed that these animals have a higher mental demand placed on them compared to other assistance dogs as they may have to make decisions to keep their owner away from harm that disregard or are without human instruction (Sachs-Ericsson et al., 2002).

Hearing dogs inform their deaf or hearing-impaired owner about certain noises by bumping them with their nose or placing their paw on their owner’s foot, then guiding their owner to the source of the noise (Sachs-Ericsson et al., 2002). These dogs may be trained to identify up to seven different noises to help their owner. Examples of noises include a door bell ringing or their owners’ name being called. (Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, 2019)

‘Service dog’ is a general term for dogs assisting people with disabilities other than visual and hearing impairments (Sachs-Ericsson et al., 2002). This term encompasses mobility, psychiatric and autism assistance dogs.

Mobility assistance dogs are trained to assist people who are physically disabled by carrying out tasks that may be difficult or not possible for the owner to do by themselves (Parenti et al., 2013). Examples of such tasks include opening doors and retrieving objects (Sachs-Ericsson et al., 2002).

Psychiatric service dogs are trained specifically to alleviate the mental disabilities of their owners. These mental disabilities may include anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and schizophrenia. Tasks these animals carry out include calling emergency services, reminding their owner about medications and helping to level their owner during panic attacks or in episodes of self-dissociation (Psychiatric Service Dogs UK, 2019).

An autism assistance dog is trained to assist a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), mainly by improving their safety whilst in public as the child wears a harness that is attached to the dog’s working coat, allowing the child to walk alongside the dog. The dog is handled by an adult and given instruction on how and where to walk (Sprod and Norwood, 2017).

Medical alert dogs are trained to aid people who live with chronic health conditions or disorders. Changes in smell often occur in conjunction with medical events or crises, and medical alert dogs are trained to identify these odor changes. There are a number of different health conditions that these dogs can assist with, including diabetes, Addison’s disease and postural tachycardia syndrome (Sachs-Ericsson et al., 2002).

Assistance dogs may be trained to help individual people with more than one disability. These dogs are known as dual purpose dogs. A person with multiple disabilities, such as hearing and visual impairments, will require an animal to be highly trained to meet their specific needs (Sachs-Ericsson et al., 2002).

Dog Breed Selection

Specific breeds are chosen to best fit the role they play in their owner’s life. Certain breeds are able to perform different tasks due to special traits that they show.

The most common breed used as a guide dog is the Labrador Retriever. They are very intelligent and have a reliable personality, which facilitates their training. They are appreciated for their courage, hardiness and cooperativeness (Wilsson and Sundgren, 1997). They are more affable than GSDs, react less to noise and to busy environments. Can f 1 is an allergen that stimulates human allergic response (asthma, allergic rhinitis and histamine release). It is shed in the hair of dogs but in variable amounts depending on the breed of dog. Levels of Can f 1 in the saliva of Poodles, Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers were measured and it appeared that Labrador Retrievers had lower levels of Can f 1 (Breitenbuecher et al., 2016). Labrador Retrievers are less likely to have a high allergic potential. They are therefore better suited as assistance dogs because there is less of a chance for them to cause an allergic response in their owners.

The physical aspect of the dog is also very important in the selection process. Assistance dogs should meet the optimum size (53-64 cm at the withers for a guide dog) and weight (18-32 kg) (Helmink, Shanks and Leighton, 2003). They have to be the appropriate height for the owner’s reach. They also have to be of a sufficient weight to guide the owners safely, but dogs that are too heavy or large may be difficult to handle. Dogs must be able to fit into spaces that are not always made to accommodate dogs. Smaller sized dogs, such as Chihuahuas, are often used as a psychiatric and emotional support for some patients (Walther et al., 2017). The size of hearing dogs is not as important. Small breeds can easily be used but they need to be very energetic. Dogs assisting people in wheelchairs have stable personalities and are easily trainable. They provide increased mobility: pulling wheelchairs, picking up objects and operating light switches.

Heart rate is another physical trait that can be considered when selecting a breed of assistance dog. It has been proven that Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers have a lower heart rate than Chihuahuas and Staffordshire Bull Terriers, amongst others (Hezzell et al., 2013). Selecting dogs with a lower heart rate limits the risk of cardiovascular disease. However, the lower heart rate of working breeds could also be a result of pressures imposed during the selection of dogs with superior cardiovascular fitness due to their active lifestyle.

Although the tests carried out enable us to have a better idea of which breed would be more suitable as an assistance dog, it can be argued that they are biased. Dogs from shelters experience high amounts of stress in their everyday life. Therefore, they will not respond in a ‘normal’ fashion to the tests performed during the selection (Weiss and Greenberg, 1997). Moreover, the performance of these dogs during the tests is not consistent with the behavior they will display later. The tests are often not sufficiently sensitive for dogs from shelters due to the differences in environment between dogs raised at home and in shelters, influencing the results of the selection tests.

Impact of Assistance Dogs on Their Owner’s Physical and Mental Well-Being

Glycaemia alert dogs are trained to respond (e.g., by vocalizing, licking, jumping, staring) to changes in their owner’s blood glucose. This is likely to be in response to changes in chemical composition of their owner’s breath or sweat, detected by olfaction (Weber et al., 2015). It is also possible that the dogs react to behavioral changes, however dogs have been reported to alert owners when in another room or asleep. A 2013 study showed that after obtaining a trained dog, all patients reported they experienced fewer hypoglycemic episodes, unconscious episodes or paramedic call outs. The performances of the dogs were also evaluated and an alert from the most successful dog was 10,000 times more likely to be out of the owner’s specified range compared to routine samples. There is no doubt that these dogs have had a positive impact on their owner’s health and safety, but they also decrease health care costs due to fewer call outs and catching episodes earlier (Rooney et al, 2013). However, most of the research in this field has been done by questionnaires. Therefore, improvements in physical health are ‘self-perceived’ and studies require owners to recall events from before and whilst owning their dog, which is not completely reliable as it is dependent on memory. Nevertheless, there is a consistent trend amongst most clients regarding improved health related quality of life.

Seizure alert dogs also have beneficial impacts on their owners in terms of their physical health and safety. These dogs are trained to alert their owners (e.g., by whining, pacing, barking, licking, staring) in response to sensing an oncoming seizure and stay with them throughout. Being alerted allows enough time for the person to take blocking medication or find a safe area and assume a safe position for when the seizure begins (Dalziel et al., 2003). To put your health in the paws of a dog is daunting and while a paper reviewing the research into seizure alert dogs showed that some seizures were missed, it was also shown that dogs are highly accurate. There were no false alarms, hence a 100% specificity (Catala et al., 2018). Having these alert dogs has a great impact in terms of safety and reduces the risk of further damage to their owner’s health, whilst also having positive impacts on their daily lives. They make their owners more comfortable going into public as they know the dog will alert them to seizures.

Medical alert dogs can also assist in clinical situations. A case report about a young girl with history of mast cell mediator release shows how assistance dogs can be beneficial to doctors in a hospital setting. Triggers for the condition include sudden temperature changes, fatigue and stress. The young girl was administered into hospital for a procedure that required anesthesia which would be stressful. As a result, arrangements were made for her alert dog to be present before and during her procedure so that the dog could alert doctors of episodes. This minimized risks to make sure that the procedure went smoothly and there was no further deterioration in the patient’s health (Tew and Taicher, 2016).

Mobility assistance dogs have positive effects not just on their owner’s psychological well-being but also on their physical health. One study showed that upper limb effort decreased by 62.8% when manual wheelchair users used a mobility assistance dog to aid them up a ramp (Martin-Lemoyne et al., 2016). This reduced muscular effort was shown to be beneficial in the long term as another study showed that after seven months of using a mobility assistance dog there was a significant reduction in shoulder pain. Use of these dogs may also decrease the likelihood of their owners developing early degenerative problems of joints, maintaining the structural integrity of the shoulder (Hubert et al., 2013). So, these dogs not only aid their owners socially by giving them independence, but also physically as they reduce chances of additional decline in their owner’s health.

Drawing a concrete line between physical and mental health is not straightforward. Although there are assistance dogs with the sole purpose of helping their owners with physical disabilities, there is often an overlap where mental health is also improved.

In studies examining the effects of ownership of assistance dogs, the human-animal bond takes prevalence as a key factor: this bond is perceived to have benefits in physical and psychological aspects. Several studies have indicated such, with a reduction in levels of anxiety by provision of physical contact and companionship, reducing loneliness. This is hypothesized to be down to two reasons – the partnership of an assistance dog encouraging social interactions with different individuals and the innate relationship between dog and handler (Sachs-Ericsson, Hansen and Fitzgerald, 2002).

Tapping the potential benefits of assistance dogs has presented a major route of interest in animal-assisted therapy in the direction of assisting those with psychological conflictions, depression being a specific target (Cherniack and Cherniack, 2014).

Crowley-Robinson et al. conducted a study on the effects of a resident dog, visiting dog and control in nursing homes to reduce emotions synonymous with distress and depression. With both the use of a resident dog or visiting dog there were markedly notable reductions in levels of high depression. Moreover, this trend continued after the removal of the dog. The beneficial psychological effects were additionally seen across tension, anger, fatigue and confusion, with all decreasing, and an increase in vigor, resulting from seeing both the resident and visiting dog (Crowley-Robinson, Fenwick and Blackshaw, 1996).

The backing of psychological benefits is furthered by research undertaken by Orlandi et al. This study looked into the use of dogs in weekly therapy sessions in comparison to those receiving therapy without the presence of a dog, acting as a control. Those exposed to therapy sessions involving the dog expressed symptoms of depression and anxiety at half the severity of the control group (Orlandi et al., 2007).

Such studies highlighting the psychological benefits of assistance dogs are not restricted geographically. Studies conducted in the US, Japan and the UK discovered individuals with physical disabilities paired with assistance dogs, amongst several benefits, reported increased well-being, self-esteem and self-control. Collins et al. established individuals with progressive conditions, but those who were paired with assistance dogs had a greater disposition to experience positive emotions and social interactions, with these dogs moderating the effects of depression (Winkle, Crowe and Hendrix, 2011).

Animal’s assistance in the mental welfare of owners is only further diversifying, with a particular foothold being established in use of dogs with children with ASD. The study by Burgoyne et al. emphasized the benefits presented by use of assistance dogs, improving quality of life not only for the child with ASD but also parents. These studies highlighted social, medical, physical and, importantly, cognitive benefits (Burgoyne et al., 2019).

An experimental study conducted by Viau et al. monitored basal salivary cortisol secretion of children with ASD alongside the effects on such by assistance dogs. It was found that after pairing of an assistance dog with the child, there was a reduced ‘cortisol-awakening response’ matched by a reduced number of troublesome behavioral occurrences (Viau et al., 2010).

Studies have highlighted that the psychological benefits implicated with the partnership with an assistance dog are correlated with the ability of owners to form an attachment to the dog. This is further tied to the decision to be paired with the animal. The greater the degree of attachment, the more extensive the psychological benefits (Brown, Shaw and Kirkland, 1972).

It is further considered that partnership with an assistance dog facilitates psychological benefits through increased social interactions – the presence of the assistance dog reduces fear, increasing a feeling of safety. One study highlighted this remarkable effect with 71.1% of participants documenting a higher life satisfaction level after pairing with an assistance dog, increasing from 26.1% before partnership with their dog (Sachs-Ericsson, Hansen and Fitzgerald, 2002).

Social interaction with people is known to enhance psychological well-being, but this is also seen in canine companionship. Rintala et al.’s study found that loneliness amongst those with mobility or hearing issues paired with assistance dogs fell with improved socialization, alongside a greater assimilation with community (Rintala et al., 2008). Such studies highlight the consequential aid provided in partnership with an assistance dog, surpassing their obvious role in assistance and presenting a psychological perk.

This emphasizes the sophisticated working and living connection between an assistance dog and its owner, and the effects the dog has in providing engagement with society (Audrestch et al., 2015).

Conclusion

There is wide diversity among the assistance dog population. The selection process and the training of these dogs is very important with selection criteria depending on the use of the dog. This enables these dogs to fulfil different roles in aiding their owners, granting both physical and psychological benefits that attribute to an improvement in quality of life. Although these benefits are highlighted in several studies, the welfare of these dogs in service should be examined to ensure their well-being is not compromised in this mission. Furthermore, studies into the mental and physical health improvements facilitated by assistance dogs could be undertaken in a more objective manner, in contrast to subjective methods currently used.

We are a nation of dog lovers. When you think of perfect pooches, what breeds come to mind? Pretty Poodles, cuddly Collies, lavish Labradors and cheeky Chihuahuas? But what if you are after a Japanese Tosa, a Dogo Argentino, a Fila Brasiliero or a Pit Bull Terrier? Unfortunately, these are the four breeds which have been categorized as ‘fighting dogs’ and have therefore been banned from being bred or bought in Britain. Despite this, the number of dog attacks has actually escalated since this ban was enforced, suggesting that the problem lies within our society, not with this handful of ‘deadly’ dogs. It is about time that the government buried this archaic law which serves no other purpose than to condemn a handful of innocent scapegoats.

The Dangerous Dog Act (DDA) was introduced in 1991 in order to protect the public from any potential threat from our favorite pet. In the same year, the media pounced on several incidents of dog attacks, instilling fear in the public who soon demanded action. The Home Secretary promised to “rid the country of the menace of these fighting dogs” which soon resulted in the ban on the four breeds who were allegedly too vicious to appear in public. Although the Dangerous Dog Act implemented sensible change such as to make it illegal for dogs to be out of control in public places, to incriminate only four breeds is just ludicrous. The DDA was amended in 2014 to include private property so if a dog was to attack an intruder in your own garden, it was seen by the court to be an offence. Despite this legislation, dog attacks are – sadly – still a regular occurrence within British society.

The Breed-Specific Legislation was also brought into place in 1991 as a part of the Dangerous Dog Act. The BSL introduced the ban of the aforementioned four dogs. Despite the fact that the four banned breeds were traditionally bred for fighting purposes, there is no definitive research to show that these breeds are more dangerous than others. Even dogs resembling one of the four banned breeds could be seized on sight and ripped from your possession by the police, to be locked in a kennel and assessed by professionals. If you were suspected of owning an illegal breed, your pooch would get taken away to most likely be euthanized. On the rare occasion that a dog ever managed to make it home, they were kept under lock and key, living out the rest of their lives as social outcasts. As if this wasn’t punishment enough, owners could face prosecution and spend up to six months in prison or receive an eye-watering monetary fine. The Breed-Specific Legislation doesn’t target the root cause of our problem which lies with the owners, not our pooches. The act simply fails, time and time again, to protect the public. All that happened was the destruction of hundreds upon hundreds of innocent canines.

Surely by now it is obvious that the Act is ineffective and needs to be reassessed. You only have to look at the staggering amount of dog attacks over the last two decades to realize that even with the allegedly ‘dangerous’ dogs off our streets, the problem is actually escalating. According to official hospital statistics, admissions for injuries caused by dogs has actually risen by a colossal 76% in England over the past decade. Many tragedies have hysterically hit the headlines over the years such as Claire Neal from Blyth, Northumberland, who allowed her Staffordshire Bullterrier to escape from her home. The dog went on the rampage and ran into a playground, where it mauled twelve children. One girl’s leg was so badly damaged in the attack that it was described as being ‘like Swiss cheese’. She pleaded guilty to owning a dog that was dangerously out of control and was jailed for four years. What transpired was that the dog had previously attacked two children but nothing had been done. Another catastrophic example of a dog attack was the fatality of Eliza-Mae Mullane, a six-day old baby girl, who was savagely killed by the family pet after being pulled from her pram. The dog was an Alaskan Malamute, similar to a Husky, not one known for its aggressive nature. Violent incidents such as these have brought fresh calls for a drastic change to the useless legislation.

Deaths such as Eliza-Mae’s have reignited the issue on public safety where dogs are concerned and whether or not enough is being done to deal with negligent owners. High-profile dog-related deaths have caused an alleged ‘toughening up’ of the law in 2014 which was amended to include private property as well as public places. In addition, any dogs perceived to look aggressive, without actively threatening or causing harm, could be seized. Despite these strict amendments, the number of dog attacks shows no signs of decreasing. Indeed, the Dogs Trust, Britain’s largest welfare charity, said even more needs to be done to prevent tragedies occurring in the first place. It should be clear by now that our problems lie with owners, some of whom take so little responsibility for their dog that acts such as the DDA and the BSL have been necessary. They have been implemented by the government in the desperate hope that the number of dog-related attacks and fatalities will be reduced. In hindsight, however, the act has not been successful in targeting the root cause of dog attacks.

Over time, it is apparent that more and more members of the public are growing increasingly concerned at the escalation of dog attacks in our communities. What has not helped are the misleading and often-confusing acts, which must be simplified so that there are no grey areas. For those in authority to be allowed to seize your dog from your own private property, without any valid reason, is atrocious.

Anthropomorphism is the attribution of human motivation, characteristics, or behavior to inanimate objects, animals, or natural phenomena. In other words, anthropomorphism is when we humans give human characteristics or behaviors to animals. According to the RSPCA, there are an “estimated 8.5 million dogs in the UK”. We are a nation of dog lovers and according to a survey “90% of pet-owning Britons think of their pet as a member of the family”. However, you can’t guarantee that all dog owners are responsible and know how they should be correctly treating their dogs. Inflicting human characteristics and behaviors on a dog can impact on its mental and physical health and can have serious consequences for the dog, the owner and the people around the dog. There are various arguments to be considered such as: giving your dog no proper training and boundaries within a household setting, giving dog behavior human connotations, dressing up your dog, allowing your dog to eat human food and celebrating a dog’s birthday.

Are you one of these dog owners which allow your dog to sit on your couch, sleep in your bed and sit at the dinner table? But it should sit on the floor, eat meals on the floor and sleep on the floor (plus their hair gets everywhere). According to a dog specialist website, “Dogs ultimately need rules, boundaries, and limitations. They are social creatures that crave structure and routine. When dogs live with humans, the humans set the structure and schedule”. You as a dog owner must put in place the proper training, discipline and boundaries to prevent any behavioral problems from occurring in the future rather than allowing it to run amok around your house as if it’s one of your children.

A common mistake made by dog owners is misconstruing a dog’s behavior and applying human connotations to it. If a dog is licking you, or barking excessively it’s not giving you kisses or making chit chat. These behaviors could be early signs of stress in a dog which could escalate into further aggression. According to the ‘Canine Aggression FAQs RSPCA’, “When a dog uses aggression it is almost invariably because it thinks that it is under some form of threat” and that some common signals that a dog may get aggressive are “growling, snarling and sometimes barking or snapping”. Not all barking is always aggressive; however, when a dog does bark it’s important for the owner to identify why the dog is barking and to remove or prevent whatever is making it upset. If not properly identified the dog may be inclined to bite which can have severe consequences for the owner, with “hospital admissions for injuries caused by dogs up 76% in 10 years”.

There’s nothing more sickening than the sight of a poor, pampered pooch wearing a tutu. To a dog owner its doggy dress up, but in reality, it’s simply doggy torture. Unlike humans, dogs are covered from head to toe in fur which means they have no need for clothes. Dogs don’t want to wear cloths; they’re uncomfortable and can restrict their movement. Dogs just want to be free. According to an RSPCA animal welfare officer, “dog clothing could cause animals to overheat”. Though not all dog clothing is necessarily bad, smaller dogs breeds or breeds with short hair may benefit from a jumper or a set of doggy snow boots in cold weather. Otherwise, I see no benefit to dressing up your dog; this is simply for the owners benefit to make them feel good and show off the latest fashion accessories.

Feeding dog’s human food can have a lasting impact on their health. Dogs should be fed dog specific food which is designed for them and gives them the correct nutrients to stay healthy, with some common human foods being extremely dangerous to them. According to the RSPCA, “Most human meals will not provide dogs with the nutrition they need. Some human foods, such as chocolate and onions, can even be poisonous to dogs”. Even allowing dogs to eat leftovers on top of their usual food can cause obesity which can lead to further health problems. “Pet obesity can also cause serious health problems, and make existing problems worse, which can reduce the length and quality of your pet’s life. Conditions such as: diabetes, heart disease, respiratory distress, high blood pressure, cancers”. For the health and wellbeing of the dog it is important that you feed it a correct portion of proper dog food only.

Every year we celebrate our birthdays, however, why go to all the trouble of celebrating our dog’s birthday. Dogs do not have the same concept of time so how would they even know it was their birthday? According to a survey, “75% of pet owners celebrate their dog’s birthday with 58% even singing the famous ‘Happy Birthday’ song”. It doesn’t even stop at birthdays, “a survey claimed that 56% of Brits planned to spend more money on Christmas presents for their pets than on gifts for their human family”. Celebrating a dog’s birthday is again only for the owners benefit to make them feel good, because let’s be honest, your dog couldn’t care less.

In conclusion, a dog that is treated like a human can cause many problems for the mental and physical health of the dog. It can cause a dog to have behavioral issues if the proper discipline, training and boundaries are not put in place. If you like to dress up your dog then you should stop it immediately as it can cause a dog to feel uncomfortable and could potentially cause the dog to become unwell. Dogs must only be fed proper dog food, rather than human food as it could be extremely harmful or even cause obesity. If you celebrate your dog’s birthday then why bother? It’s a dog, it doesn’t even know if it’s their birthday, nor does it care. If you are a dog owner and you do treat your dog like a human, then I strongly urge you to reconsider and start to treat your dog correctly. Showing your dog love and affection is important but there must be a balance in order to maintain a healthy relationship between you and your pet. According to the chairman of the Pet Charity, “It has already been decided by market forces and human nature … the reality is people have pets in the millions. The question is: how can we help them care for them correctly and appropriately?”.

It’s been scientifically proven that feeling securely attached to a living being can reduce a lot of stress and therefore positively affect your breathing rate, blood pressure and oxygen consumption. (Fricchione, 2016). When the owner looks into the eyes of his dog, a hormone called oxytocin, which is released by the pituitary gland that causes increased contraction of the uterus during labor and stimulates the ejection of milk into the ducts of the breasts, and therefore is responsible for the emotional bond between a parent and child, is boosted in both the dog and human (Fricchione, 2016). It’s been proven that the effect of the hormone oxytocin is truly dependent on the function of the structure that it binds to which is the receptor in the cell; which means that the difference in dogs’ ability to communicate is closely related to the variations in genetic material located close to the gene that codes for the oxytocin receptor (Mia E. Persson, 2017). In Australia, 5741 participants attended a screening clinic and it was found that pet owners had substantially lower blood pressures and body max index. Also, there was a study where 240 married couples with and without pets were assessed and it came about that both systolic and diastolic blood pressures were much lower for patients with a pet (Glenn N. Levine, et al., 2013).

Pet ownership has also been associated with a deceased risk of cardiovascular disease, however there is not yet a clear cause and effect relationship (School, n.d.). People who own canines have more of a motivation to go out for regular exercise as their pets must be taken out at least once a day therefore they get more exercise by simply walking for 30 minutes a day; this consequently improves their cardiovascular system and lowers their resting heart rate (Staff, n.d.). The increased physical activity increases the chance of surviving heart attacks, as the chances of surviving goes from 1 in 87 to 1 in 15 (Staff, n.d.). In 1980 a study was carried out to discover the effect dogs have on coronary heart problems. They looked at a group of patients who had been admitted to hospital for acute severe heart problems and after a one year follow up, they found out that pet owners are five times more likely to survive the effects of the heart problems than those who don’t own a pet: 6% of the pet owners died whereas 29% of non-pet owners died (Stanley Coren PhD, 2018). Ownership of a dog is also associated with low cholesterol and triglyceride levels (School, n.d.) however there is minimal data on the association of pet ownership and lipid levels. In the Australian study I mentioned earlier, the male, not female, dog owners had appreciably, yet not clinically, modesty lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels compared to the participants who didn’t own dogs. Triglycerides are a type of lipid found in the blood stream and if you regularly eat more calories than you can burn then you are likely to have high triglyceride levels which is called hypertriglyceridemia. (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, 2018). If you have high triglyceride levels then that may contribute to the hardening of the arteries or arteriosclerosis, thickening of the artery walls, which can increase the risk of a stroke, heart attack or heart disease (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, 2018).

However, there are definitely negative effects of having a dog around your household such as the parasites that can sometimes infect dogs and can be transferred onto humans (Fricchione, 2016). For example, Fleas, Coccidia and Giardia. These diseases that humans catch from their pets are called zoonotic illnesses. Even though these diseases are relatively avoidable by doing things like frequently washing your hands after touching dogs and going for regular vet checks, the diseases can be quite serious, especially if someone has a weak immune system, those with HIV/AIDS, the elderly and children. It’s also quite dangerous at times, especially for the elderly, to own dogs because there are five pet related fall risks: chasing a pet, animals underfoot, dogs who jump, falling while walking a pet and pet paraphernalia (Rehder, 2016).

Pet paraphernalia is when a pet’s toys and food dishes are left on the floor and they become a trip hazard especially because of the possibility of spillages. Yet these dangers can also be avoided and reduced by paying attention to the surroundings (Rehder, 2016). About 31.3% of falls linked with dogs were because of falls, additionally 21.2% of those falls were caused by being pushed or pulled by a dog (Stevens JA, 2010).

In a questionnaire I created and gave out to my whole school and staff, I obtained the results that 52.3% of 172 participants have been harmed by a dog or know someone who has been harmed and 45.3% said they have not; I was extremely surprised with these results as was not aware of how many canine related injuries happen especially because this survey was only answered by 172 people. Though there are dangers with owning a dog, the impact dogs such as guide dogs have on those who have a disability in society is astonishing. Not only do service dogs help their owners with avoiding dangerous obstacles, help them carry out everyday tasks and detect life threatening seizures or disease, they provide an excellent source of companionship for those who feel particularly lonely in moments due to their disability (Rebecca, 2016). There are reports that the elderly and those with disabilities have very low self-esteem and much higher levels of depression (Whitmarsh, n.d.) very much likely due to the unavoidable stigma linked to disability. However, there are over 57 studies that support the theory that dogs have a substantial impact on the disabled, in forms such as making friends through activities connected with their dogs and the fact that it has been reported that 92% of owners say people commonly stop and talk to them while walking their dogs (Whitmarsh, n.d.).

Dogs can now be trained to detect seizures in their owners even before humans can, they can detect them from as early as 45 minutes prior to the seizure (Staff, n.d.) and this allows people to take seizure blocking medication before it happens (Mott, 2004). There are two types of dogs that are able to assist people who have epileptic seizures; dogs that can warn those of approaching seizures and there are dogs that can sit with the person afterwards and provide support (Epilepsy Foundation, n.d.). Dogs can do this by detecting very small and subtle changes in human behavior, or they can detect a scent before someone has an episode (Mott, 2004), dogs will do things such as face licking and whining to alert their owner who is about to have a seizure (Ramos, 2004), however no research has yet been able to govern how exactly dogs can antedate an oncoming seizure. Another question I asked on my questionnaire was ‘Do you agree with dogs being used in police departments such as sniffer dogs?’, and 88.9% of people answered with ‘Yes’, whereas 6.4% of the participants answered ‘No’. Police dogs have multiple advantages such as detecting drugs and explosives, tracking, officer safety and criminal apprehension. Canines have an extremely sensitive and keen sense of smell which means they are very good at detecting lots of odors that humans cannot smell, some dogs can even, with training, detect items that have been sealed or put in something with the intention of masking the scent (Rayfield, 2017). They can also assist the police by using their sense of smell to track people on foot such as criminals because once they are given a scent, they can target one person and can follow the path of that person by smelling the skin particles that are given off (Rayfield, 2017). Another advantage is that all of the police dogs are very protective of their partner and will therefore attack if they are in any danger. This works for criminal apprehension because if the criminal were to attack said partner the dog would retaliate; furthermore, dogs are much faster than a lot of criminals and can be trained to chase and attack a human who begins to flee from a scene. These drastically effect the police force and benefits them however a lot of the training required to get these canines to the level they need to be is expensive with addition to the day to day care the dogs must receive such as food, water and attention. Sniffer dogs are frequently used at festivals to detect all the contraband and harmful drugs coming into the festival however they cost a lot of money; to have just three drug dogs at a music festival costs around £4,717 per hour therefore if drug dog operations ran at 20 festivals in a year, it would cost £566,242 and in 2016 it was revealed that on average the police spent £7,400,161 on maintaining the drug dog unit alone (McGowan, 2017). Due to these statistics people are wondering if it is worth all the money as only about 1.7% of people at festivals are searched (McGowan, 2017) nonetheless police reports did show that 2,378 charges had be laid due to the drug dog operations in a 12-month period.

There have been some studies into the thesis that dogs can help children that suffer from ADHD, however there is no clear evidence that the interaction between a dog and a child with the disorder has a positive effect on the child (Rosen, n.d.) Yet, just having a pet around the household can be very good for children because it builds time management skills, provides a great outlet for the excess energy that children have and it can reduce anxiety and stress levels by a lot. Children with ADHD work better in an environment where a routine is in place because it helps them stay organized and plan ahead which is a common symptom of ADD/ADHD (Kledzik, n.d.), therefore by owning a dog, it helps them to keep consistency throughout their day for example by planning dogs walks and when dogs need to be fed. Children with ADHD also have a lot of excess energy that needs to be exercised in some way or they get restless and frustrated because they need to get their energy out, having a dog provides an easy and fun outlet for it (Kledzik, n.d.).

While also providing an effective channel for hyperactive children to get out their additional energy, dogs also help teach all children multiple levels of responsibility that allows them to mature in some aspects of their life faster than others. Owning a dog benefits and helps kids of all ages as when they are much younger and smaller they can do simple things such as telling their parents when the water bowl needs filling or helping to brush the dog (Kaye, n.d.). This will teach them discipline at a young age as they are assisting their parents with tasks that are essential to owning a dog. Once the children get older, they can support their parents by completing much bigger tasks such as feeding and walking the dog. This primarily teaches them to be aware of not only themselves but another life and to think for their dog. It also teaches them the empathy, compassion and skills required when taking on another living, breathing creatures’ life and how much love and support it will need (Kaye, n.d.). Not only can if benefit your child in those ways, but it has been scientifically proven that having a dog as part of the family can boost a toddler’s immune system (Gallagher, n.d.) and their self-esteem because a dog provides children with companionship and unconditional love.

Making the responsibilities and tasks that children should start to carry out with their dog as they get older can be made into one of their day-to-day chores, conversely the children do not often see the activities as a chore as they have fun doing them which consequently increases the likelihood of them wanting to perform the task off their own prerogative and will therefore be much more willing to do the chore. Once the task is seen as a privilege the child is much more enthusiastic to take on the responsibility given (Kaye, n.d.). Once a child is aware that they are excelling at a task such as feeding or cleaning the dog their self-esteem rises drastically which means they are eager to take pride in what they are doing and are likely to repeat the task again with the same effort when its needed (Anderson, 2016). Owning one of ‘man’s best friend’ can subsequently teach children about the tragedies of loss (Anderson, 2016) because the death of a beloved pet can hurt just as much as the loss of a loss relative or friend. It is inevitable for humans to disagree and argue with each other which can create an emotionally heat breaking distance between two humans however that does not happen between a human and their dog; they do not have to deal with this conflict (M.D, 2016), so strong emotional bonds are made between humans and their pets.

To sum up the information above, dogs really do have a significant effect on us. They affect both our physical and psycho-emotional state. Contribute to the harmonious development of both children and adults. In addition, they are excellent companions, friends, helpers. Despite some of the dangers associated with owning a dog, I believe that they play an important role in our lives and that owning a dog is a great benefit.

Dogs play an extremely important role in a person’s life. Humans have been using dogs to survive in dark eras. Dogs, since then, have been protectors, companions, workers, and of course, best friends. Dogs make a change in people, by working in the military, making us feel stress-free, and by being a service to the community.

Superheroes come in all forms, and one such superhero is a military dog. They take up one of the riskiest jobs. These dogs, along with their handlers from every military service, get deployed worldwide to support war or attack. They also help guard military bases, and activities. They detect bombs and other explosives, before they cause any harm. Military dogs are very important to handlers. The handlers feel safer when they have a tough companion by their side. The handlers get more physically fit by training the dogs, and taking care of their physical health. Dogs are very loyal to their handlers and to veterans. They mourn when they lose their companion, and cares about everybody they know. Military dogs go through a hard, and tiring training, and fight for justice, just like a real veteran.

Dogs aren’t just superheroes, they are our best friends. Most pet owners are aware of the immediate joy they have, when having an enjoyable companion by their side. However, most of us are not aware of the physical and mental health benefits. Scientists slowly try to find out about the bond between dogs and humans. Dogs are able to understand many of the words we use, but they’re even better at interpreting our body language, gestures, and tone of our voice, and like any good human friend, they would try to look straight into our eyes, to find out our emotional state, and feelings. Dogs can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. They also encourage exercise, and improve our cardiovascular health (they keep our heart healthy). Caring for an animal, children can grow up more active, and safe, and of course, would have real joy, and unlimited love in their lives.

Dogs are vital to daily life. They follow commands, act as faithful companions, and take care of people, to the best they can. During the years, the use of service dogs increased swiftly. The benefits service dogs provide, continue to expand. During the 1900’s a service dog was called a seeing-eye dog, which meant German shepherd. Now, service dogs are now trained in different breeds, to help certain disabilities. Service dogs are valued partners, and are loyal companions to more than 80 million people. Service dogs create many good benefits for humans, and also train to be a companion for a variety of people.

Dogs make a change in people, by working in the military, making us feel stress-free, and by being a service to the community. However, it is true that a dog is a man’s best friend. Dogs help us in any way, and in any situation, and they make sure we are safe. Dogs help the whole world by making sure everybody is safe, and making sure we feel okay.

Imagine you are all worn out from a long day at work. The first thing you see as you walk into your house is an animal with an uncontrollably wagging tail coming at you and melting away all your stress. Whether or not you have a pet in your house, you can tell with absolute confidence that it is a dog that I am talking about. In fact, this distinctly friendly characteristic is so closely associated with dogs that it is almost impossible to think of a more friendly species.

Before I explain why dogs are such lovable and trustworthy friends of humans, it is important to trace back to the very first interaction between these two species. According to the American Kennel Club, there are about 193 dog breeds in the world (‘Breeds by Year Recognized’) and each breed has very distinct features, characteristics, and behaviors: Pugs are adored for their wrinkly faces and short snouts, Golden Retrievers make you want to dig your hand in their cream-colored wavy hair and Corgis give you an irresistible temptation to squeeze their chubby cute-looking butts. Still, if their lineages are traced back far enough, all dogs are descendants of ancient wild wolves. While the time and place where the ‘destined’ friendship between dogs and humans was struck up are not yet pinpointed, by studying wolves’ fossils and DNA, scientists estimate that their lineages split from their wolf ancestors at least 12,000 years ago in Asia and Europe. After that, Eastern wolves followed humans to the West and became the dominant ancestors of our canine companions (McAlpine, ‘Did We Domesticate Dogs, or Did Dogs Domesticate Us?’). It is also intriguing to note that it is still a topic of debate whether humans domesticated dogs or dogs domesticated themselves. Scientists supporting the latter repudiated the theory that humans somehow captured wolf pups and raised them as pets. Instead, they hypothesized that wolves established mutually beneficial relationships with hunter-gatherers. They helped prehistoric humans kill large prey or scavenged dead animals in the proximity of human settlements or kill sites. ‘Survival of the friendliest’, as this theory is called, suggests that some of them were less anxious and aggressive towards humans, thus coming to close contact with them, settling in human-dominated environments and developing stronger bonds generation after generation (Handwerk, ‘How Accurate Is Alpha’s Theory of Dog Domestication’).

During the self-domestication process, wolves not only became increasingly friendlier towards humans but they also went through other major behavioral changes. One of them is the diminishing ability to work collaboratively with fellow wolves. In an experiment, different pairs of dogs and wolves were presented with trays of food, each of which was attached to a pair of ropes. The only way they could get the food was having each one of a pair pulling on a different rope simultaneously. Results showed that the pairs of wolves succeeded 100 out of 416 attempts while the pairs of dogs managed to get the food twice (Pennisi, ‘Why Wolves Are Better Team Players than Dogs’). Another remarkable change is that dogs have evolved to avoid conflict. In other words, they tend not to deal with problems hastily and impulsively. In a similar experiment, researchers presented dogs and wolves with unsolvable problems to observe their reactions. While the wolves dealt with the problems by immediately trying different strategies, mostly using physical force, dogs behaved completely differently: they turned to their human companions for guidance or help (Daley, ‘Why Wolves Work Together While Wild Dogs Do Not’). This observation also tells us that dogs have developed an ability to understand and respond to human social cues. Indeed, imagine your dog runs into your bedroom, asking for a cuddle while you are working against the clock to meet your English homework deadline. Without saying a word, you coldly point your finger towards the open door. The most likely chains of reactions of your dog are being taken aback, bewildered and acceptingly walking out of the door. Why is it able to pick up your ‘now-is-not-the-time’ signal and walk away right in the direction where your finger points? The explanation is that dogs, over the course of self-domestication, developed substantial proficiency in reading and interpreting human communicative behavior. Researchers tested this assumption by setting up opaque containers with food or attractive objects hidden inside one of them and looking at or pointing towards that container to see if the test subjects successfully located the hidden objects. Surprisingly, even chimpanzees, a species that is famously proficient at solving social problems, were much less skilled than dogs in tackling the same test (Brian, 137–159).

It is equally important to also look at the friendliness of dogs from a genetics perspective. ‘Hypersocial’ is the word researchers use to describe the behavioral trait of dogs compared to that of wolves. Even if dogs and wolves are hand-raised in the same environment, dogs prove to be more comfortable interacting with humans, including strangers, and may spend more time doing it. Surprisingly, the underlying reason for this can be found in people with the Williams-Beuren syndrome, a disorder that affects a person’s mental functioning and physical appearance, but can also make them extremely friendly and desirous of social interaction. The cause of this syndrome lies in the deletion of genes GTF2I and GTF2IRD1, variants of which were found in hypersocial dogs in a study carried out by Bridgett von Holdt of Princeton University and her colleagues (Arnold, ‘Why Are Dogs So Friendly? Science Finally Has an Answer’).

However, are these genetic variants responsible for a crucial characteristic of dogs – a strong need for physical interaction with humans – in particular, cuddling? To answer this, again, we have to go back tens of thousands of years ago, when blankets were not readily available for humans to cover themselves when the weather got chilly. Besides assisting humans in hunting and warding off predators, the ancestors of our four-legged friends snuggled with humans to keep one another warm. If you ever heard of the term ‘three dog night’, you might imagine a night so cold that a person had to cuddle three dogs in order to keep themself from death. Besides, cuddling is also a way dogs express their affection, which is pivotal in bonding with their human friends. Attila Andics, the author of a canine neuroimaging study – i.e., research about dog brains – said that “Bonding with owners is much more important for dogs than other pets” (‘Voice-Sensitive Regions in the Dog and Human Brain Are Revealed by Comparative fMRI’). This study also revealed that the way dogs interact with their owners is similar to the way babies interact with their parents. While other pets, such as cats or horses, tend to run away at the sign of danger, dogs make a beeline for their owners when they are scared or nervous. This is exactly what a distressed baby will do instinctively with their parents. It is also interesting to note that apart from primates, dogs are the only species that look people in the eye. Whether dogs do this when they expect their owners to throw them a piece of food or give them guidance in a particular situation, a certain amount of oxytocin, a hormone that creates a feeling of happiness, is released into the bloodstream (Mark, ‘Why Does My Dog Stare and Look into My Eyes?’). This means that dogs already feel happy by staring at their owners.

In conclusion, if you are about to brag about your 10-year friendship with your BFF, your dog may embarrass you with the story of his friendship with humans that lasted for tens of thousands of years and generation after generation. They have met, lived, fought, changed, and survived the roughest days side by side. The purpose of all the pieces of information I just provided you with is not only to give you a deeper insight into dogs, but it also serves as a reminder for you to never take for granted the slightest gestures of your dogs because in a dog’s world, happiness is as simple as an exchange of look with his best friend.

References

1. American Kennel Club. ‘Breeds by Year Recognized’, 2019. https://www.akc.org/press-center/facts-and-stats/breeds-year-recognized/
2. Lauren McAlpine. ‘Did We Domesticate Dogs, or Did Dogs Domesticate Us?’. https://ed.ted.com/featured/BgazrKXt
3. Brian Handwerk. ‘How Accurate Is Alpha’s Theory of Dog Domestication?’, Aug. 15, 2018 https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/how-wolves-really-became-dogs-180970014/
4. Elizabeth Pennisi. ‘Why Wolves Are Better Team Players than Dogs’, Oct. 16, 2017 https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2017/10/why-wolves-are-better-team-players-dogs
5. Jason Daley. ‘Why Wolves Work Together While Wild Dogs Do Not’, Oct 19, 2017 https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/wolves-out-score-wild-dogs-when-it-comes-cooperation-180965293/
6. Hare Brian. ‘Communication of Food Location Between Human and Dog (Canis familiaris) (1998).
7. Carrie Arnold. ‘Why Are Dogs So Friendly? Science Finally Has an Answer’, Jul 19, 2017 https://www.nationalgeographic.com/news/2017/07/dogs-breeds-pets-wolves-evolution/
8. Attila Andics. ‘Voice-Sensitive Regions in the Dog and Human Brain Are Revealed by Comparative fMRI’ (2014).
9. Dr Mark. ‘Why Does My Dog Stare and Look Into My Eyes?’, May 29, 2019 https://pethelpful.com/dogs/My-Dog-and-My-Eyes