What animal wags its tail when it sees you, follows you from room to room, and loves you just the way you are? A dog, of course! Dogs are often called "man's best friend", and they have earned that name. They have lived beside humans for thousands of years, helping us, guarding us and making us laugh. Let us find out why dogs are so special.

From wolves to best friends

Long, long ago, dogs were wild wolves. Over many thousands of years, some wolves began to live near human camps, eating leftover food. The friendliest wolves stayed close to people, and people began to keep them as helpers and companions. Slowly, over many generations, those wolves changed into the dogs we know today.

Even though they look very different now, every dog — from a tiny Chihuahua to a giant Great Dane — is descended from wolves. And every dog still has a little bit of wolf inside: the love of the pack, the sharp senses, and the urge to howl at the moon!

A nose that knows everything

A dog's sense of smell is amazing. Dogs have millions of tiny smell sensors inside their noses — far, far more than humans have. That is why a dog can smell things we cannot even imagine. A dog can follow a trail that is days old, smell a hidden treat inside a closed box, and even tell how you are feeling by the smell of your skin!

Some dogs use their super noses for important jobs. Sniffer dogs help find lost people, search for things at airports, and even help doctors by smelling sickness. A dog's nose is so powerful that it can smell a single drop of something in a whole swimming pool of water.

Ears that hear the world

Dogs can also hear much better than we can. They can hear sounds that are too high for human ears, which is why your dog might suddenly lift its head and listen when you hear nothing at all. A dog's ears can move and turn towards a sound, like little satellite dishes. Dogs with pointy ears can move each ear separately, listening in two directions at once!

Talking dog: tails, ears and barks

Dogs cannot talk with words, but they talk all the time with their bodies. When a dog wags its tail, it is usually happy and excited. When its ears are up and forward, it is curious. When it lowers its head and tucks its tail, it might be scared or shy.

Dogs bark for many reasons: to say hello, to warn us about something, to ask for a game, or just because they are excited. A happy bark sounds very different from a worried bark, and if you listen carefully, you can learn what your dog is saying.

So many shapes and sizes

There are hundreds of different kinds of dogs, called breeds. Some are tiny enough to fit in a handbag, and some are big enough to look you in the eye when they stand on their back legs! Some have long, silky fur, some have short, smooth coats, and some have curly hair like a little sheep.

But no matter what they look like, all dogs are the same animal — and all of them love the same things: food, walks, games and being with their humans.

Dogs with jobs

Dogs are not just pets — they are workers too! Guide dogs help people who cannot see, leading them safely across streets and around obstacles. Herding dogs help farmers look after sheep and cattle. Rescue dogs search for people lost in mountains or after earthquakes. Police dogs help find things and keep people safe. And therapy dogs visit hospitals and schools to make people feel calm and happy.

Even a pet dog has a job: being a friend. Studies have shown that playing with a dog can make people feel happier and less worried. A dog does not care if you are rich or poor, good at school or not — it just loves you.

Puppies: tiny bundles of joy

Puppies are born blind and deaf, and they cannot walk yet. They stay close to their mother, drinking her milk and sleeping in a warm pile with their brothers and sisters. After about two weeks, their eyes open, and they begin to explore the world — wobbling, tumbling and chewing everything they find!

A puppy learns fast. It learns its name, where to sleep, and how to play gently. The best way to teach a puppy is with kindness, treats and lots of patience. Never shout at a puppy — a kind word and a tasty snack work much better.

How to look after your dog

If you have a dog, you are its whole world. Dogs need fresh water and good food every day, a walk and playtime to stay healthy, a warm dry place to sleep, and visits to the vet to keep them well. They also need brushing to keep their coats clean, and lots of love and cuddles.

A dog will be your friend for many years. In return for your care, it will give you something priceless: a friend who is always happy to see you, who never judges you, and who loves you more than anything in the world.

Fun facts about dogs

  • All dogs are descended from wolves.
  • A dog's sense of smell is far, far stronger than a human's.
  • Dogs can hear sounds that humans cannot hear at all.
  • A wagging tail usually means a happy dog!
  • Puppies are born with their eyes closed and open them after about two weeks.