Dogs in general have similar social systems to those in the human world. They survive with the lead of an adult male who is alpha or dominant over all others in the pack. If the leader oversteps his boundaries then a strong and competent female will step in.
Just like your family works together as a group, so does the dog pack. There are social bonds and loyalty on both sides. Even if the family group or pack of dogs fight, it doesn't matter they are always united and come together when it counts.
Dogs have a great number of strengths. They are incredibly alert, have a strong sense of smell and many are superior hunters. Their ability to survive on something as small as food scraps makes them ideal to have around whether you're referring to ancient or modern times.
From Ancient Times to Today
This animal and human relationship is so strong that it even goes back to the prehistoric times.
Imagine a prehistoric hunter finding a lost wolf cub in the woods and bringing the animal home to care for it. They might have found that the cub fit in quite nicely at home. To top it off the hunter probably found that the wolf was helpful for practical reasons as well.
Of course, the wolf pack that prehistoric man would have found isn't quite as gentle and kind as the dogs we keep in our homes today. Wolves had just the rough type of personality that suited the prehistoric people, just like dogs suit our families today. It is our own domestication of dogs that makes them more and more suitable to living the family lifestyle.
The blending of dog and human culture is very strong. It doesn't matter what kind of dog you have or whether it's simply a companion or a working dog, it is a friend that will stick with you for life.
You might not use the dog as your primary means of survival like some groups did years ago, but it's likely your dog has its own role. Some of the roles dogs take on today are:
?Herding stock on farms
?Detecting drugs
?Helping lead the blind
?Guarding homes and businesses
?Rescue services
Beyond those extraordinary roles your dog can develop an emotional bond with you and the other members of your family. This ability and desire to bond with the family lifestyle and humans individually has given them a special place and role in the hearts of many humans. Most dogs naturally love people and are extremely protective of children. Through the domestication process they have definitely earn the right to be called ?man's best friend?.
Whether you're ready to have a good time or need some extra comforting, your dog will be there offering true ?unconditional love?.
It's important to nurture and care for your dog so that they can thrive. As long as they are receiving the nourishment they need and the attention they deserve you can count on having a friend for life.
