The dog is generally considered the first domesticated animal. The domesticated dog has lived with human beings as a working partner and household pet in all eras and cultures since the time people liked in caves. It is generally believed that the direct ancestor of the domestic dog is the wolf, originally found throughout Europe, Asia, and North America. Archeologists have found remains of dogs that are 10,000 years old. In these ancient societies, as well as in our modern one, there are three main relationships that dogs have with people. First, we have the working dogs. These dogs, such as Siberian huskies and collies, serve people almost like employees. The dogs help pull heavy loads, round up cattle, and keep a sharp eye out for strangers. To a sheep farmer, for example, a good sheepdog is his most valuable partner. Sheepdogs, such as Border collies, standard collies, and Shetland sheepdogs, are very intelligent and can learn to respond to hand signals as well as spoken words. Sheepdogs in Scotland, for instance, move sheep along with barely a glance from the shepherd. As a result, working dogs know their worth to their master, and they are proud of it.
` Other dogs are known primarily for their excellence in sports. The sleek and supremely fast greyhound is used in dog races. These races take place on specially prepared tracks where the competitors chase a mechanical rabbit. People gamble on these athlete performances. Bird dogs are a type of hunting dog. Setters and pointers, for example, recognize a bird’s scent long before it makes a sound and show their owner where the bird is by standing rock still. Retrievers, such as golden Retrievers or Labrador retrievers, will throw themselves into an icy cold lake to pick up the bird their owner have shot. These special hunting dogs often compete in hunting trials. Clearly, sporting dogs are the athletes of the dog world. Third, man people enjoy a dog as a companion. All kinds of dogs can