BASIC DOG INFO
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Dogs are probably the descendants of the gray wolf. The first signs of relationships between man and wolves date back to 10,000 to 15,000 years ago.
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It's not certain whether man approached the
wolf, or vice versa. Both profited from the new situation: people used wolves
when hunting, for keeping flocks together and to warn against approaching
enemies. Man in turn, made sure his wolves were fed.
Wolves are very social animals. Like humans, they live in groups (called packs)
with social ranks, in which some wolves claim leadership. This made this animal
suitable and attractive as a companion, because wolves accepted man as their
leader. Requirements with regard to behavior and appearance of wolves started to
change.
During the Middle Ages, people started seeing dogs as status symbols. The number
of dog breeds started to increase enormously. Dogs were bred for size, length,
color, face, and behavior. This is still happening today. Thus we arrive with
modern day dogs.
LIFE HISTORY OF A DOG
The normal life span of a small or medium-size dog is about 15 years. A large dog lives only about ten years.
Fetal puppies grow in their mother's womb before they are whelped, or born. Whelping is usually a painless task. After each of her litter is whelped, she licks the pup as dry as she can. The puppies draw nourishing milk from their mother until they are weaned, or given food more solid than milk to eat. The time of weaning depends on the size of the litter. Sometimes it occurs as early as three weeks. Puppies should not be weaned, however, any later than their seventh week.
The puppy's eyes are closed at birth. They open when the puppy is between one and two weeks old. Its first teeth, the puppy or milk teeth, come through the gums during the third to sixth week of its life. Puppy teeth are mostly incisors and canines. By the third month, the first of the permanent teeth work through. By the seventh month it has all of it's baby teeth. By the time it is one year old a puppy is considered to be a dog.
A dog ordinarily does not attain full growth until its first birthday or even later. By this time, however, it is capable of a wide range of responses to its environment. When it meets another dog, its ear position indicates how interested it is in the newcomer. If its ears are erect, it is concentrating on the other. If its ears are pointing forward, it is on the alert. If the dog holds its tail high and wags it, the animal is happy and confident. If it drops its tail and remains still, the dog is apprehensive. If it pulls its tail between its legs, the dog is afraid. If on meeting a person or another dog it pulls back its lips and growls, it is making a threat. If it bares its teeth without growling, the dog is ready to attack and bite. A male dog will establish his territory by marking the boundaries with urine. The dog will then defend that territory against intruders.
When a dog reaches old age, its eyes begin to weaken. The hair on its muzzle turns gray. The old dog begins to feel aches and pains and might become easily irritated and snap at members of the family. Its body systems are breaking down, and it can no longer behave as it did when younger
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