Man’s best friend, the descendant of the wolf, was the first species to be domesticated and therefore dogs as our pets are the most popular all over the world. Besides being a companion for humans, they are also used for protection, hunting, herding, assisting police and the military, therapy, and helping disabled people.
There are about 450 globally recognized dog breeds. Here is a Wikipedia list of dog breeds. I find the extinct breed list very interesting.
Mixed-breed dogs: are dogs that do not belong to one officially recognized breed and include those that are the result of intentional breeding. Studies done show that mixed breeds on average are healthier and live longer than purebreds. Crossbreed dogs are better mothers, producing more milk and giving better care to their pups.
Purebred dogs: a particular strain of dogs that was purposefully bred by humans to perform specific tasks, such as herding, hunting, and guarding.
Lifespan: It varies widely among breeds but the median longevity ranges from 10 to 13 years. Mixed-breed dogs live on average 1.2 years longer than purebred dogs.
Sterilization: Because of the overpopulation of dogs, many animal control agencies advise that dogs that are not intended for further breeding should be sterilized. This is to prevent undesired puppies may later be euthanized. Three to four million dogs and cats are euthanized every year. There are more dogs than there are homes therefore, more are confined to cages in shelters. For this reason, many people advocate getting your new dog from the SPCA.
Dog food: A whole section of Wikipedia is dedicated to dog food. Here you can read about commercial varieties, types of diets, nutrients, supplements, etc.
What dog food brands do you sell? Here is a great opportunity to showcase your brands.
Featured image – Rosie the King Charles cavalier spaniel,12 weeks old. Courtesy: Lynne Broberg
Here is a great pre-owned book with some very amazing photos you might want to buy:
Content creator: Petrus A. van Tonder
Reference: Wikipedia
If you found this blog post, Dogs as pets, helpful, you might also like:
https://www.worldwidepets.online/blog/cats-as-pets/