A Brief History of Dogs

Dogs were originally bred fos specific functions, such as guarding, herding, hauling, hunting, and so on. Before 1945, most dogs worked for a living, and many still do.

The popularity as a household pet is a relatively recent phenomenon, fueled in a part by the heroic exploits of the dogs used in World War II, as well as the fictional Rin Tin Tin and Lassie.

The upshot of this popularity has been a demand for the “family” dog - easy to train, good with children, a little bit protective, and relatively quiet.

From: Dog Training For Dummies (For Dummies (Pets))