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Dogs - Early Zoological Hystory
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The
very first
animal of the domestication of which we have any account, was the
sheep. "Abel was a keeper of sheep."
It is difficult
to believe
that any long time would pass before the dog who now, in every country
of the world, is the companion of the shepherd, and the director or
guardian
of the sheep would be enlisted in the service of man. |
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| In process of
time, man began to
surround himself with many servants from the animal world, but among
them
all he had only one friend - the dog. Dog was the only animal whose
service
was voluntary, and who was susceptible of disinterested affection and
gratitude.
In every country, and in every time, there was a special connection
existed
between man and the dog, a very different from that which is observed
between
him and any other animal. |
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| The
ox and the
sheep submit to
our control, but their affections are principally, if not solely,
confined
to themselves. They submit to us, but they can rarely be said to love,
or even to recognise us, except as connected with the supply of their
wants.
The horse will share some of our pleasures. He enjoys the chase as much
as does his rider; and, when contending for victory on the course, he
feels
the full influence of emulation. Remembering the pleasure he has
experienced
with his master, or the daily supply of food from the hand of the
groom,
he often exhibits evident tokens of recognition; but that is founded on
a selfish principle, he neighs that he may be fed, and his affections
are
easily transferred. |
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| We
could take the
bridle from the
mouth of the horse, and turn him free into the pasture, and he
testifies
his joy in his partially recovered liberty. We exact from the dog the
service
that is required of him, and he still follows us. He solicits to be
continued
as our companion and our friend. |
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