Sporting dogs, including hounds, gun dogs and terriers, were originally bred to help hunters, but most are pets now. The smallest dog breeds are called toy dogs. Spaniels like this springer spaniel originated in Spain. They make very good sporting dogs and pets. The dachshund's name is the German for badger hound.
People keep all kinds of animals as pets besides dogs, cats and birds - from fleas to elephants.
For almost every animal, it seems, there is someone willing to adopt it as a pet. Keeping an unusual pet, though, is not easy, for there are rarely any books to show how to look after it properly. Unusual pets are also generally wild creatures, and most would be far better off in their own natural environment. Stick insects make fascinating pets. When danger threatens they remain quite still and can be difficult to spot amongst foliage.