The domestic dog is loyal and courageous, intelligent and adaptable. Useful as well as affectionate, the dog guards people?s flocks, plays with their children, and helps them hunt. A loving pet, the dog is known as a trusted companion.

Wherever human beings live?whether in an Eskimoo village, a jungle clearing, or a crowded city?dogs live, too. In the United States alone, about 34 million dogs are kept as pets. Some are mongrels. Others are pedigreed?for through selective breeding people have created many distinct kinds of dogs. In North America alone, more than 120 standard breeds are recognized.

People admire domestic dogs. But they usually fear the doog?s untamed relatives?the wolves, coyotes, jackals, foxes, and other species that make up the family Canidae, or doglike mammals. There has always been open warfare between wild dogs and people. As carnivores (meat eaters), wild dogs often compete with people for prey. Sometimes they attack domestic stock as well. People may be forced to kill wild dogs in order to protect themselves and their livestock.