The domestic dog is a mammal in the canine family of the Order Carnivora. Dogs were first domesticated from wolves at about 2000 years B.C. In this time, the dog has developed into hundreds of breeds with a great degree of variation in height and weight, coat color and texture, anatomical details and behavior. Dogs fill a variety of roles in human society and are often trained as working dogs. For dogs that do not have traditional jobs, a wide range of dog sports provide the opportunity to exhibit their natural skills. In many countries the most common, and perhaps most important, role of dogs is as companions. Dogs have lived with and worked with humans in so many roles that their loyalty has earned them the sobriquet "man's best friend."
Laika (from Russian: Лайка, "Barker", as well as a name of a dog breed) was a Russian space dog that became the first living creature from Earth to enter orbit. She was found as a stray wandering the streets of Moscow. Originally named Kudryavka, she was renamed Laika after her breed type. After undergoing training with two other dogs, she was selected to be the occupant of the Soviet spacecraft Sputnik 2 and was launched into space on November 3, 1957.
Laika died a few hours after launch from stress and overheating, likely due to a malfunction in the thermal control system. The true cause of her death was not made public until decades after the flight. Some former Soviet scientists have since expressed regret that Laika was allowed to die.
Although Laika did not survive the trip, the experiment proved that a living passenger could survive being launched into orbit and endure weightlessness. It paved the way for human spaceflight and provided scientists with some of the first data on how living organisms react to spaceflight environments.
A Border Collie herding sheep. Border Collies can take direction by voice and whistle at long distances when herding. Their great energy and herding instinct are still used to herd all kinds of animals, from the traditional sheep and cattle, free range poultry, and pigs, to deer and ostriches. They are also used to remove unwanted wild birds from airport runways, golf courses, and other public and private areas.
The Old English Sheepdog was formerly used for herding livestock, and now primarily kept as a pet. They are best known for their shaggy grey and white fur which also covers their face, including their eyes. It generally gets along well with children, other dogs, other pets, and visitors. Like all herding breeds, it requires plenty of exercise, both mental and physical. The long coat requires thorough brushing at least weekly, preferably from the base of the hairs to keep the thick undercoat tangle free. Famous Old English Sheepdogs include Martha, pet of Paul McCartney and featured in the song " Martha My Dear", Farley from the comic strip For Better or For Worse and The Shaggy Dog.
- ...that Carolina Dogs (pictured) employ a whip-like motion whilst pack hunting snakes?
- ...that Buster, the dog of British Labour politician Roy Hattersley, earned his owner a criminal record after killing a goose in St. James's Park, London?
- ...that the appearance of a dog in a Hutch ad campaign doubled sales of pugs in India in 2003?
- ...that Bamse was a St. Bernard dog that became the heroic mascot of the Free Norwegian Forces during the Second World War?
- ...that past Olympic mascots include several bears named Misha, Coal, Howdy and Hidy, and dogs Cobi and Waldi ?
- ...that the dog called the Miniature Fox Terrier (or Mini Foxie) originated in Australia?
- ...that the Brown Dog affair, a Edwardian-era vivisection cause célèbre, led to massive riots?
- ...that in addition to human spaceflight, there have been many animals in space, including monkeys, apes, mice, dogs, guinea pigs, frogs, rats, cats, tortoises, fish, newts, insects, snails, spiders and nematodes?
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