According to a recent survey, the relationship between man and dog goes back more than 30,000 years. They are able companions and friends in need, so much so that dogs now perform a variety of important jobs along with their human partners.
Policing, sniffing out bombs, hunting and sheep rearing to pulling sleds through mountains of snow — dogs around the world are trained and recruited to serve mankind. There are specific breeds that do certain jobs.
Retrievers and Labradors are used mostly as sniffing and police dogs because of their strong sense of smell and their ability to retrieve things. They are also more social.
Larger breeds like Great Dane, Rajapalayams are hunting dogs and were bred to help find game. Collies are sheep dogs by nature and make sure the sheep stay together in the mountains.
Siberian Huskies are sled dogs and live in the incredibly cold temperatures of the Arctic and Tundra. They live in packs, much like wolves.
The St. Bernard is a breed of large working dog from the Swiss Alps and north Italy. They were originally bred for rescue. In the story Peter Pan, the Darling children were looked after by Nana, a St. Bernard.
Friend and guide: Ellen Karas, blinded in the 1998 bombing attacks on two U.S embassies in Africa now has help. Photo: AP
In Kenya: General Service unit march with their dogs. Photo: AP
In the U.S Army: Employing a special hoist and doggies, while landing and retrieving dog and handler by helicopter. Photo: Special Arrangement.
In Tunisia: Figthing terrorism. Photo: Reuters
Best Guide: Visually challenged French journalist Sophie Massieu with her guide dog Pongo, during a visit to Thiruvananthapuram. Photo: S. Gopakumar
The Rajapalayam Dog: Almost on the brink of extinction as a breed,its characteristic features are a broad muscular chest, tucked up waist, pristine solid white coat, a pink nose and golden colored eyes. Photo: K. Ananthan.
Published - June 18, 2015 08:19 pm IST