Dog

The dog is one of the most loved animals in the whole world. Dogs come in hundreds of shapes and sizes, from tiny ones that could sit in your lap to big, tall ones as heavy as a grown-up. Whatever they look like, all dogs belong to the same family.

Long, long ago, dogs came from wild wolves. Over thousands of years, people and dogs became friends, and dogs were the very first animal we ever kept close. That is why dogs are so good at understanding people, reading our faces, and learning what we say.

A dog's best sense is its nose. Dogs can smell things far too faint for us to notice, so they explore the world by sniffing. That amazing nose helps some dogs find lost people, sniff out treats, or follow a trail across a field.

Dogs eat lots of different foods. They enjoy meat, but they can also eat grains and vegetables, which is why we call them omnivores. A bowl of good dog food and plenty of fresh water keeps a dog happy and healthy.

Baby dogs are called puppies, and a group of puppies born at the same time is a litter. A mother dog feeds her puppies milk and keeps them warm, licking them clean and guarding them until they are big enough to play and explore on their own.

Because dogs live with people all over the world, there are more dogs than ever. They help us in many ways, as farm helpers, guide dogs, and gentle friends, and in return we give them food, walks, and a cosy place to sleep.