IS the dog really" man's best friend?This catchy phrase has been literally stamped on the numerous breeds that abound throughout the world.Many times when I used to take my Beagle out for a walk on a cold,blustery winter night,I'd wonder,"What kind of a friend would drag me out on a night like this!"But one thing should be considered.
Wherever man has gone,the dog has been at his side.He is a loyal,loving companion.No other domestic animal comes in so many different breeds as the dog.With all the variations open to people,it's very easy to pick a dog best suited to your way of life.
Whippet
The Whippet's origin is northern England,where miners over a century ago,acrossed small Greyhounds with Terriers to produce this sleek,quick dog.It's a member of Hound Family,which also includes such dogs as the Beagle,Basset Hound and Blood Hound.
The Whippet,after being refined by cross breeding with Italian Greyhounds,became primarily a racing dog.They could frequently reach speeds of 35 miles per hour.
The name Whippet probably came from the phrase" whip it" which meant to move briskly"Standing 18-22 inches tall,the Whippet weighs 15-25 pounds,making it quite suitable for city living.
Chow Chow
With a mane resembling that of lion and features like a huskie,the Chow Chow is one of the most beautiful af all dogs.The Chinese introduced him to the world 2,000 years ago as a hunting dog.One emperor had as many as 2,500 of these dogs in his kennels with 10,000 huntsmen looking after them.
The Chow Chow didn't gain much popularity in North America until the 1920's.
Since then,he has spread across the continent,but is still much rarer than other popular breeds.They come in solid colours (black,beige,sable)and many times are mistaken for hukies.As with the Terrier,the Chow Chow is interested only in those he lives wiht others are very often warned to keep away with a low ,glutteral growl!He stands about 20 inches tall and weighs close to 65 pounds.
The Chow Chow is suited to either the country or the city.
Foxhound
There are two types of Foxhound-British and American,the American being slightly smaller.This is dog that became famous on British fox hunts.Every movie,painting or story that has pictured the fox hunts have depicted the Foxhound as the dog that finally"cought the scent"and chased the fox across farmland and meadow.
Cross-breeding with Greyhounds gave the dog its strong legs and stamina(the dogs wound need it:some fox hunts covered more than 75 miles!).All Foxhounds possess that chilling,whining howl that also became a trademark of the hunt.
Fox hunts are still carried out today.Canada,Britain and the United States all have fox hunts clubs,with each hunter having a pack of these purebred hounds.However, as the fox becomes more scare,the hunts will slowly die out,and this two-foot tall 70 pound animal may settle down to becoming just a regular house dog.
