Dogs have always been a man’s best friend. They are family’s mascots and members. They have had many roles, depending on the breed.
Mythology
When Diomos, a farmer, was sacrificing meat a white dog appeared and stole the offering. The farmer thought it was a sign and he built a temple of Herakles in a place where the dog left stolen meat. This place was called kyos – dog.
Service dogs
Everyone knows service dogs, which help people. There are five groups of assistance dogs:
- Guide dogs (seeing eye dogs) – assist the blind and the visually impaired
- Hearing dogs (signal dogs) – assist the deaf and hard of hearing by pointing where the source of sounds is
- Mobility assistance dog - assist a physically disabled by opening and closing doors, picking up things for its owner, helping with a wheelchair, operating light switches etc.
- Medical response dog – react in case of an attack of the disease by informing its owner about upcoming attack of the disease, bringing phone or medications, call for help
- Psychiatric service dogs – assist a person with a psychiatric disability (depression, autism etc.)
Homer, an ancient writer, the author of “Iliad” and “Odyssey” had a guide dog.
Hunting
For ages dogs have been companions during hunting. Some of them find a chased animal. There are three types of hunting dogs: small, medium and big. The Choice of a dog depends on what we expect from it and what we are looking for. For example, for hunting on foot people usually take Beagles, Bassets or similar breed of dogs, which have got great smell and are small. If hunters want to catch a boar, they take small dogs, like terriers, which are very lively and are supposed to tire out the boar by catching its tail, so it is easier for a hunter to catch the animal.
Police dogs
Dogs who are used by the police, the army, the Border Guard, fire departments or in prison have to have great smell and they have to be well trained. They are used to search for explosive materials, drugs, weapons, groceries and other substances. You can find these dogs at airport. It is possible that you will be asked what is inside your backpack, because if you had food there, even a few days before, they will definitely smell it.
Police dogs also localize people while saving and chasing them. People may be saved from accidents or catastrophes. Dogs search for people who are missing or for corpses. But dogs may also disturb people who are hiding or running away.
Police dogs are usually German Shepherd, Dutch Shepherd, Malinois, Labrador, Doberman, Pocket Beagle, Rottweiler and Giant Schnauzer.
Dogs in culture and history
Dogs are important not only in our lives but also in our culture and history. It is hard to treat these categories separately, because stories of some dogs are sources for movies and books.
Our Polish example is “O psie, który jeździł koleją”. A story about Lampo, which spent days at a train station and in in evening he went back home with a scout. In this story Lampo died saving scout’s daughter.
There was a real Lampo, which often travelled by train. He died in a train accident. Today, in Tuscany, you can find Lampo’s monument.
There is also a very famous Great Dane… Scooby Doo. I believe that everyone knows this gourmand. At first, he seems very fearful, but he is a really brave and loyal dog, which always helps his friends. There are TV series about his adventures, there are movies and games.
Another dog you should know is Laika –a Soviet space dog. Sputnik 2, with Laika, was launched 3.11.1957. Laika wasn’t born to be an astronaut – she was stray dog in Moscow. And this made her a candidate to be one of the first animals in space, because scientists were looking for a dog, which knew how it was to feel extremely hunger and cold and could survive it.
Laika died during the flight.
There are more famous historical and fictional dogs, but I intentionally haven’t listed them. I’m sure that you know some of them – let’s play a game: please, write in comments famous dogs you know and let’s count how many we can find :)
Bibliography:
- https://psy24.pl/rozrywka,ac101/slawne-psy,ac135/pies-w-starozytnosci,1192
-htp://psy-pies.com/artykul/rasy-psow-tropiacych,740.html
- Beagle and Airedale Terrier source (http://s3.amazonaws.com/assets.prod.vetstreet.com/6b/2d0f009e8c11e0a2380050568d634f/file/B eagle-2-645mk062311.jpg; https://www.google.pl/imgres?imgurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pies.pl%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2015%2F03%2FAIREDALE-TERRIER-194.jpg&imgrefurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pies.pl%2Fairedale-terrier%2F&docid=4k9ft1wzt1xXlM&tbnid=Ay-jrpSZUxhmAM%3A&w=500&h=337&client=firefox-b-ab&bih=672&biw=1408&ved=0ahUKEwi35-P08vDPAhUBjiwKHRgTBxMQMwgrKA0wDQ&iact=mrc&uact=8#h=337&imgdii=Ay-jrpSZUxhmAM%3A%3BAy-jrpSZUxhmAM%3A%3BoucZJwZf1RlphM%3A&w=500)
- Pocket Beagle and Dutch Shepherd (http://vetriscience.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/7669094_l.jpg; http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/images25/DutchShepherdDogKyaraHassevdDoresteeMiraAlmost8MonthsOldHeleenKlinkenberg.jpg) -Lampo’s monument (http://i2.wp.com/unusual.info/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/lampo-the-railway-traveling-dog-monument.jpg)
-Laika (http://szponndler.blox.pl/resource/LaikathefirstAnimalinOrbit.jpg)
Mythology
When Diomos, a farmer, was sacrificing meat a white dog appeared and stole the offering. The farmer thought it was a sign and he built a temple of Herakles in a place where the dog left stolen meat. This place was called kyos – dog.
Service dogs
Everyone knows service dogs, which help people. There are five groups of assistance dogs:
- Guide dogs (seeing eye dogs) – assist the blind and the visually impaired
- Hearing dogs (signal dogs) – assist the deaf and hard of hearing by pointing where the source of sounds is
- Mobility assistance dog - assist a physically disabled by opening and closing doors, picking up things for its owner, helping with a wheelchair, operating light switches etc.
- Medical response dog – react in case of an attack of the disease by informing its owner about upcoming attack of the disease, bringing phone or medications, call for help
- Psychiatric service dogs – assist a person with a psychiatric disability (depression, autism etc.)
Homer, an ancient writer, the author of “Iliad” and “Odyssey” had a guide dog.
 |
| William -Adolphe Bouguerau "Homer and his Guide" |
For ages dogs have been companions during hunting. Some of them find a chased animal. There are three types of hunting dogs: small, medium and big. The Choice of a dog depends on what we expect from it and what we are looking for. For example, for hunting on foot people usually take Beagles, Bassets or similar breed of dogs, which have got great smell and are small. If hunters want to catch a boar, they take small dogs, like terriers, which are very lively and are supposed to tire out the boar by catching its tail, so it is easier for a hunter to catch the animal.
 |
| Airedale Terrier |
Dogs who are used by the police, the army, the Border Guard, fire departments or in prison have to have great smell and they have to be well trained. They are used to search for explosive materials, drugs, weapons, groceries and other substances. You can find these dogs at airport. It is possible that you will be asked what is inside your backpack, because if you had food there, even a few days before, they will definitely smell it.
Police dogs also localize people while saving and chasing them. People may be saved from accidents or catastrophes. Dogs search for people who are missing or for corpses. But dogs may also disturb people who are hiding or running away.
Police dogs are usually German Shepherd, Dutch Shepherd, Malinois, Labrador, Doberman, Pocket Beagle, Rottweiler and Giant Schnauzer.
 |
| Dutch Shepherd |
Dogs are important not only in our lives but also in our culture and history. It is hard to treat these categories separately, because stories of some dogs are sources for movies and books.
Our Polish example is “O psie, który jeździł koleją”. A story about Lampo, which spent days at a train station and in in evening he went back home with a scout. In this story Lampo died saving scout’s daughter.
There was a real Lampo, which often travelled by train. He died in a train accident. Today, in Tuscany, you can find Lampo’s monument.
 |
| Lampo's monument |
Another dog you should know is Laika –a Soviet space dog. Sputnik 2, with Laika, was launched 3.11.1957. Laika wasn’t born to be an astronaut – she was stray dog in Moscow. And this made her a candidate to be one of the first animals in space, because scientists were looking for a dog, which knew how it was to feel extremely hunger and cold and could survive it.
Laika died during the flight.
 |
| Laika |
Bibliography:
- https://psy24.pl/rozrywka,ac101/slawne-psy,ac135/pies-w-starozytnosci,1192
-htp://psy-pies.com/artykul/rasy-psow-tropiacych,740.html
- Beagle and Airedale Terrier source (http://s3.amazonaws.com/assets.prod.vetstreet.com/6b/2d0f009e8c11e0a2380050568d634f/file/B eagle-2-645mk062311.jpg; https://www.google.pl/imgres?imgurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pies.pl%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2015%2F03%2FAIREDALE-TERRIER-194.jpg&imgrefurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pies.pl%2Fairedale-terrier%2F&docid=4k9ft1wzt1xXlM&tbnid=Ay-jrpSZUxhmAM%3A&w=500&h=337&client=firefox-b-ab&bih=672&biw=1408&ved=0ahUKEwi35-P08vDPAhUBjiwKHRgTBxMQMwgrKA0wDQ&iact=mrc&uact=8#h=337&imgdii=Ay-jrpSZUxhmAM%3A%3BAy-jrpSZUxhmAM%3A%3BoucZJwZf1RlphM%3A&w=500)
- Pocket Beagle and Dutch Shepherd (http://vetriscience.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/7669094_l.jpg; http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/images25/DutchShepherdDogKyaraHassevdDoresteeMiraAlmost8MonthsOldHeleenKlinkenberg.jpg) -Lampo’s monument (http://i2.wp.com/unusual.info/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/lampo-the-railway-traveling-dog-monument.jpg)
-Laika (http://szponndler.blox.pl/resource/LaikathefirstAnimalinOrbit.jpg)
Comments
-Lassie
-Pluto
-Chihuahua from Beverly Hills
(I hope that our list will be much longer :) )
There is a cartoon with dogs as main characters, and there is also Krypto - Super Dog, and he has got red cape, just like Superman
2. Buddy
3. Marley
4. Lady and Tramp
5. Milo The Dalmatians
I can't remind myself more....
Back to the topic, I like dogs, I always did. Unfortunately, I can not afford one, cause I leave in a flat and I'm often away from home for many hours.
But I don't remember Buddy... Where he was mentioned, some movie?
Yes, Reksio - I'm surprised that no one has mentioned him before :)
"K-9" made me laugh first time when I saw it :) It was another proof that German Shepherd is great species :)
1) K-9000 (police dog in one of old time movies)
2) Beethoven (I think I don't have to explain it to anyone)
3) Łajka (Space dog expedition that ended badly)
4) Hachi: A Dog's Tale (Really great movie based on real events)
5) Eight Below (Based on real events and for me nr 1 of dog breed "Alaskan malamute" - very sad story but If you will go to Norway you can travel a lot with their help).
http://www.itaka.pl/cz/norwegia/psie-zaprzegi-w-norwegii,TRDEXP1.html
And maybe out of category just a little bit but still :)
1) White Fang
- Buck from "Married.. with Children", i think almost everyone heard about this sitcom, thanks to Polsat
- Samantha from "I am legend", its role in this movie was very important with very sad ending
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w0LCQzMDwHA/VGDg6RLJXwI/AAAAAAABCgI/DPgxQ9c8iCc/s1600/i-dont-know-man-i-just-what-if-i-never-find-out-whos-a-good-boy.jpg
Thanks for sharing something new. It made me surprise that there are dogs who help deaf people. It would never come to my head. And that the Homer head a helping pet. It’s probably great to experience such an emotional bond with another creature, which never let you down, never.
I’m not a fan of hunting, but my grandfather had an English cocker spaniel. Archi was a great hunter. When we were going to hunt for ducks, our task was just to shoot ducks. And Archi was bringing them to us. He was always so happy by helping us. Feeling of being helpful - Archi was addicted to it.
You mentioned the psychiatric service dogs. Dogs are great for mentally healthy people as well. Studies show that kids who had pets grow up with a higher level of empathy. Animals teach us how to interact with other people. And stay your best friend in emotionally hard times.
I'm full of admiration for people, who are trainging those dogs. It's really amazing. I was proud of myself when I taught my dog 4 commands, they are teaching dogs to save lifes - this is really amazing.
You watched japanese or american version of Hashi's tale?
In the topic of taking dogs to work, there are some. My sister's boyfriend is working in office and his bosses (marraige) are into helping dogs and they allow employees bring their dogs, they even encourage them to do it. Who knows, maybe someday it will be common thing?
Those dogs have got so many grace.
Actually, it's not true at all.
It's cruel but Laika was not expected to come back to the Earth. What's more, there was enough food for 10 days. After that they planned to give a poisoned food, but Laika was dead in about 7 hours after the satellite took off, because of high temperature and stress.
They are also a great help for rescue and safety issues as they are able to find people captured under avalanche, destroyed and / or collapsed buildings and finding illegal weapons or drugs at the boarders.
Dogs or Cats? 🔥
I really love the topic!!! I’m a dog person, and can’t really imagine world without them. They are amazingly loyal and loving creatures.
I know:
Lessie, Reksio, Alex, Pluto, Chojrak, Szarik, Hachiko (the most owner-attached dog in the history! I recommend to watch the movie about this story, very moving...!)
Personally, I prefer dogs. First of all I have always had a dog, second of all I have an allergy on cats, so I wouldn't have a cat.
It really is a touching story. There are at least two movies about this dog - american and japanese.
I'm a dog person and I really like dogs.
An interesting read, it's worth adding that you're not supposed to pet guide dogs, especially without permission as it interrupts their job.
One famous dog was Hachiko. Hachinko was an akita living in Japan who escorted his master to work and waited for his return on Shibuya train station every day. When his master Hidesaburō Ueno who taught at the university died at work, Hachinko kept coming back to the station every day for the next 10 years. He was present at the opening of his own statue in 1934 and kept returning there until he died. A year ago at the University of Tokyo a new statue was placed, one that reunited Hachiko with his master.
http://en.japantravel.com/tokyo/hachiko-statue-university-of-tokyo/20013
They are always loyal and it is great feeling when they welcome you when you return to home. :)
I have a lot of dogs and for me they are great companions that make you want to live for! :D
I can't remember famous dogs not listed in previous comments, but I would like to mention about Kabang - the dog which saved two
grils losing all its nose and upper jaw. It's another true story about dog's love. Here is link about its: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kabang