The
domesticated dog originated as a
predator and
scavenger. They inherited complex behaviors, such as
bite inhibition, from their wolf ancestors, which would have been
pack hunters with complex
body language. These sophisticated forms of social cognition and communication may account for dogs' trainability, playfulness, and ability to fit into human households and social situations, and probably also their co-existence with early human hunter-gatherers. Dogs perform many roles for people, such as
hunting,
herding,
pulling loads,
protection,
assisting police and the
military,
companionship, and
aiding disabled individuals. These roles in human society have earned them the nickname "
man's best friend" in the
Western world. In some cultures, however, dogs
are also a source of meat.
Pets with a human companion The keeping of dogs as companions, particularly by elites, has a long history. Pet-dog populations grew significantly after
World War II as
suburbanization increased. Within the second half of the 20th century, more and more dog owners considered their animal to be a part of the family. This major social status shift allowed the dog to conform to social expectations of personality and behavior. Some dog-trainers have promoted a
dominance model of dog-human relationships. However, the idea of the
"alpha dog" trying to be dominant is based on a controversial theory about wolf packs. It has been disputed that "trying to achieve status" is characteristic of dog-human interactions. Human family members have increased participation in activities in which the dog is an integral partner, such as
dog dancing and
dog yoga. The source shows that nearly 40% of American households own at least one dog, of which 67% own just one dog, 25% own two dogs, and nearly 9% own more than two dogs. The data also shows an equal number of male and female pet dogs; less than one-fifth of the owned dogs come from
shelters. as
detection dogs (such as those trained to detect
illicit drugs or
chemical weapons); as homeguard dogs; as
police dogs (sometimes nicknamed "K-9"); as
welfare-purpose dogs; as dogs who assist fishermen retrieve their nets; and as dogs that pull loads (such as
sled dogs). Various kinds of service dogs and assistance dogs, including
guide dogs,
hearing dogs,
mobility assistance dogs, and
psychiatric service dogs, assist individuals with disabilities. A study of 29 dogs found that 9 dogs owned by people with epilepsy were reported to exhibit attention-getting behavior to their handler 30 seconds to 45 minutes prior to an impending seizure; there was no significant correlation between the patients' demographics, health, or attitude towards their pets.
Shows and sports Dogs compete in breed-conformation shows and
dog sports (including
racing,
sledding, and
agility competitions). In dog shows, also referred to as "breed shows", a judge familiar with the specific dog breed evaluates individual purebred dogs for conformity with their established breed type as described in a
breed standard.
Weight pulling, a dog sport involving pulling weight, has been criticized for promoting
doping and for its risk of injury.
Dogs as food Humans have consumed dog meat going back at least 14,000 years. It is unknown to what extent prehistoric dogs were consumed and bred for meat. For centuries, the practice was prevalent in
Southeast Asia,
East Asia, Africa, and
Oceania before cultural changes triggered by the spread of religions resulted in dog meat consumption declining and becoming more taboo. Some
Native American dogs, like the
Peruvian Hairless Dog and
Xoloitzcuintle, were raised to be sacrificed and eaten.
Han Chinese traditionally ate dogs. Consumption of dog meat declined but did not end during the
Sui dynasty (581–618) and
Tang dynasty (618–907) due in part to the spread of Buddhism and the upper class rejecting the practice. Dog consumption was rare in India, Iran, and Europe. Eating dog meat is a
social taboo in most parts of the world, though some still consume it in
modern times. It is still consumed in some
East Asian countries, including
China,
Indonesia, and the
Philippines. An estimated 30 million dogs are killed and consumed in Asia every year. In Vietnam, about 5 million dogs are slaughtered annually. In 2024, China, Singapore, and Thailand placed a ban on the consumption of dogs within their borders. In some parts of
Poland and
Central Asia, dog fat is reportedly believed to be beneficial for the lungs. Proponents of eating dog meat have argued that placing a distinction between livestock and dogs is Western hypocrisy and that there is no difference in eating different animals' meat. There is a long history of
dog meat consumption in South Korea, but the practice has fallen out of favor. A 2017 survey found that under 40% of participants supported a ban on the distribution and consumption of dog meat. This increased to over 50% in 2020, suggesting changing attitudes, particularly among younger individuals. On 9 January 2024, the
South Korean parliament passed a law banning the distribution and sale of dog meat. It will take effect in 2027, with plans to assist dog farmers in transitioning to other products. The primary type of dog raised for meat in South Korea has been the
Nureongi. In
North Korea where meat is scarce, eating dog is a common and accepted practice, officially promoted by the government.
Health risks In 2018, the
World Health Organization (WHO) reported that 59,000 people died globally from
rabies, with 59.6% of the deaths in Asia and 36.4% in Africa. Rabies is a disease for which dogs are the most significant
vector. Dog bites affect tens of millions of people globally each year. Sharp claws can lacerate flesh and cause serious infections.
In the United States, cats and dogs are a factor in more than 86,000 falls each year. It has been estimated that around 2% of dog-related injuries treated in U.K. hospitals are domestic accidents. The same study concluded that dog-associated
road accidents involving injuries more commonly involve
two-wheeled vehicles. Some countries and cities have also banned or restricted certain dog breeds, usually for safety concerns.
Toxocara canis (dog
roundworm) eggs in dog feces can cause
toxocariasis. It is estimated that nearly 14% of people in the United States are infected with
Toxocara; about 10,000 cases are reported each year. Untreated toxocariasis can cause retinal damage and decreased vision. Dog feces can also contain
hookworms that cause
cutaneous larva migrans in humans.
Health benefits The scientific evidence is mixed as to whether a dog's companionship can enhance human physical and psychological well-being. Studies suggest that there are benefits to physical health and psychological well-being, but they have been criticized for being "poorly controlled". One study states that "the health of elderly people is related to their health habits and
social supports but not to their ownership of, or attachment to, a companion animal". People with pet dogs took considerably more physical exercise than those with cats or those without pets; these effects are relatively long-term. Pet guardianship has also been associated with increased survival in cases of
coronary artery disease. Human guardians are significantly less likely to die within one year of an acute
myocardial infarction than those who do not own dogs. Studies have found a small to moderate correlation between dog-ownership and increased adult physical-activity levels. A 2005 paper by the
British Medical Journal states: and are exposed to
immune-stimulating microorganisms, which can protect against allergies and autoimmune diseases (according to the
hygiene hypothesis). Other benefits include dogs as social support. One study indicated that wheelchair-users experience more positive social interactions with strangers when accompanied by a dog than when they are not. In a 2015 study, it was found that having a pet made people more inclined to foster positive relationships with their neighbors. In one study, new guardians reported a significant reduction in minor health problems during the first month following pet acquisition, which was sustained through the 10-month study. Animal-assisted intervention research has shown that animal-assisted therapy with a dog can increase smiling and laughing among people with
Alzheimer's disease. One study demonstrated that children with ADHD and
conduct disorders who participated in an education program with dogs and other animals showed increased attendance, knowledge, and skill-objectives and decreased
antisocial and
violent behavior compared with those not in an animal-assisted program.
Cultural importance with the gluttons in
Dante's
Third Circle of Hell, depicted by
William Blake Artworks have depicted dogs as symbols of
guidance,
protection,
loyalty,
fidelity,
faithfulness,
alertness, and
love. In ancient
Mesopotamia, from the
Old Babylonian period until the
Neo-Babylonian period, dogs were the symbol of
Ninisina, the goddess of healing and medicine, and her worshippers frequently dedicated small models of seated dogs to her. Stories of dogs guarding the gates of the underworld recur throughout Indo-European mythologies and may originate from
Proto-Indo-European traditions. In
Norse mythology, a dog called
Garmr guards
Hel, a
realm of the dead. A black dog is considered to be the
vahana (vehicle) of
Bhairava (an incarnation of Shiva). In
Christianity, dogs represent faithfulness. As such, the
Dominican Order (
Ecclesiastical Latin:
Domini canis) means "dog of the Lord" or "hound of the Lord".
Jewish law does not prohibit keeping dogs and other pets but requires Jews to feed dogs (and other animals that they own) before themselves and to make arrangements for feeding them before obtaining them. The view on dogs in
Islam is
mixed, with some schools of thought viewing them as unclean, The Sunni
Maliki school jurists disagree with the idea that dogs are unclean. == Terminology ==