They are known as man’s best friend. Anyone who has ever had the privilege of owning a dog knows this to be true. Dogs are not only pets , they are family, guardians, hard workers, caregivers, the assist people with disabilities and emotional traumas and are simply the best companions around.
History of Dogs
The first ever recorded dog dates back more than 30,000 years ago, which is 10,000 years before the domestication of horses and ruminants. Dogs have been originated from wild wolves and have been domesticated over time. Dogs are the first animals to ever be domesticated by men. In ancient Egypt, Mayas, and Greek times dogs were used to guard the dead and accompany them to the afterlife. From wolves to man best friend now we cannot live without our awesome companions.
(source from wikipedia.org and boehringer-ingelheim.com)
Duties of Dogs
Now dogs have a variety of uses. They are our best friends, they help us herd, guide the blind and help police. They help people who are lonely, they help hunt, they help our military by sniffing out bombs, and they serve as rescue dogs in natural disasters. If that’s not impressive enough dogs have even traveled to space!
(sources from wikipedia.org)
2020 Most Popular Dog Breeds (based in 2019 stats- American Kennel Club)
Breed Picture
Rank 1:
Retrievers (Labrador)
Temperament
Friendly, Active, Outgoing
Height
22.5-24.5 inches (male), 21.5-23.5 inches (female)
Weight
65-80 pounds (male), 55-70 pounds (female)
Life Expectancy
10-12 years
Classification (Group)
Sporting Group
Fun Fact
labradors have web toes that can help them swim and have two coat layers which repels water
Breed Picture
Rank 2:
German Shepherds
Temperament
Confident, Courageous, Smart
Height
24-26 inches (male), 22-24 inches (female)
Weight
65-90 pounds (male), 50-70 pounds (female)
Life Expectancy
7-10 years
Classification (Group)
Herding Group
Fun Fact
They are popular police and Military dogs known as K-9’s
Breed Picture
Rank 3:
Retrievers (Golden)
Temperament
Friendly, Intelligent, Devoted
Height
23-24 inches (male), 21.5-22.5 inches (female)
Weight
65-75 pounds (male), 55-65 pounds (female)
Life Expectancy
10-12 years
Classification (Group)
Sporting Group
Fun Fact
Golden Retrievers are often used on search and rescue teams because of their great sense of smell. Golden Retrievers were popular amongst US presidents such as Ford and Reagan
Breed Picture
Rank 4:
French Bulldogs
Temperament
Adaptable, Playful, Smart
Height
11-13 inches
Weight
under 28 pounds
Life Expectancy
10-12 years
Classification (Group)
Non-Sporting Group
Fun Fact
Celebrities that own French bulldogs are Dwayne “The Rock”Johnson, Lady Gaga, John Legend. The only French Bulldog aboard the Titanic went Down with the ship. A survivor of the Titanic said they have seen a French Bulldog swimming in the ocean after the sinking.
Breed Picture
Rank 5:
Bulldogs
Temperament
Friendly, Courageous, Calm
Height
14-15 inches
Weight
50 pounds (male), 40 pounds (female)
Life Expectancy
8-10 years
Classification (Group)
Non-Sporting Group
Fun Fact
they were originally bred for baiting and it is not uncommon to be born via c-section. Celebrities with bulldogs include Adam Sandler, Brad Pitt, Joe Jonas and Michael Phelps. Some bulldogs are known to skateboard and play basketball.
Breed Picture
Rank 6:
Poodles
Temperament
Active, Proud, Very Smart
Height
Over 15 inches (standard)
Weight
60-70 pounds (male), 40-50 pounds (female)
Life Expectancy
10-18 years
Classification (Group)
Non-Sporting Group
Fun Fact
Elvis Presley and his wife loved these poodles and had quite a collection at Graceland
Breed Picture
Rank 7:
Beagles
Temperament
Friendly, Curious, Merry
Height
13 inches & under, 13-15 inches
Weight
under 20 pounds (13 inches & under), 20-30 pounds (13-15 inches)
Life Expectancy
10-15 years
Classification (Group)
Hound Group
Fun Fact
beagles were bred for hunting and can vocalize in three ways. they were also often used as ‘bedbug detectors’ and help security at airports to look for food that are in passengers luggage
Breed Picture
Rank 8:
Rottweilers
Temperament
Loyal, Loving, Confident Guardian
Height
24-27 inches (male), 22-25 inches (female)
Weight
95-135 pounds (male), 80-100 pounds (female)
Life Expectancy
9-10 years
Classification (Group)
Working Group
Fun Fact
in the 1880’s the rottweilers almost became extinct due to industrialization, since rotties were herding dogs if cattle didn’t needed to be herd they they would be killed. Fortunately rottie lovers worked hard to keep them around.
Breed Picture
Rank 9:
Pointers (German shorthaired)
Temperament
Friendly, Smart, Willing to Please
Height
23-25 inches (male), 21-23 inches (female)
Weight
55-70 pounds (male), 45-60 pounds (female)
Life Expectancy
10-12 years
Classification (Group)
Sporting Group
Fun Fact
The name pointer comes from the dogs natural instinct to point, by stopping and aiming its nose toward game while out hunting.
Breed Picture
Rank 10:
Pembroke Welsh Corgis
Temperament
Affectionate, Smart, Alert
Height
10-12 inches
Weight
up to 30 pounds (male), up to 28 pounds (female)
Life Expectancy
12-13 years
Classification (Group)
Herding Group
Fun Fact
The Queen of England has owned at least 30 Pembroke Welsh Corgis!
Why We Love Dogs So Much
Throughout my life I had two very meaningful pets. But more than pets, they are considered my family. Zeus is my first dog brother, he is a seven year old American bulldog whom we had since he was three months old. Zeus believes he is a spoiled human, he likes warm cooked chicken, and likes to sleep on couches and beds. He is a very friendly and patient dog, just as long as long as you don’t mess with his family.
My second special pet is Meeko. Meeko is a three year old shih-tzu and likes to bully and annoy my bulldog. Meeko likes to beg for food, doesn’t like being wet, and likes being the neighborhood watchdog. He believes he is a pitbull and refuses to accept the fact he is a small dog. He is friendly just as long as you don’t touch me
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My dogs are considered family and they are loved as such. They are truly my best friends.
