The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1959-01-09
MANS BEST FRIEND
CHERISHED SINCE
PREHISTORIC DAYS


Washington. - Since that un-
recorded day when a dog first
licked mans hand instead of biting
it, the relationship between the
canine and his best friend has
grown ever closer.
Ancient Roman dogs earned the
name "Fido" Faithfully. Medieval
dogs, wearing tiny suits of armor,
trotted loyalty behind the I
knights. Today the man-dog part
nership has led to an enormous
variety of industries, from grey
hound race tracks to poodle
primping parlors.
The wonderful world of dogdom
comes wildly alive in the "Book
of Dogs" which has just been
published by the National Geo
graphic Society. A treasury of
fact and anecdote, the 432-page
encyclopedia is abundantly illus
trated with full-color paintings
and photographs.
Biographies of Major Breeds
In preparing this latest addi-
ton to it's Natural Science Library,
National Geographic had the CO.
operation of the American Kennel
Club. The book not only includes
biographies of all breeds recog-
nized by the club, but biographies
of dozens of other breeds that are
still outside the canine social reg
lister. 4
Counsel on how to choose the
right pup, and how to feed, house
break, and train him is provided
by Arthur Frederick Jones of the
American Kennel Club. Mr.. Jones's
comprehensive instruction on dog
care is written simply enough for
practical use by youngsters who
are responsible for their pets.
DIR. Melville Bell Grosvenor,
President and Editor of the Ma
tional Geographic Society, tells
about the books origin in the
foreword. He writes, ct all began
as a labor of love with Franklin
l.. Fisher, for many years Illustra-
tions Editor of the National Geo
graphic Magazine when my father,
Gilbert Grosvenor, was President
and Editor. Under their guidance
the Biographies outstanding Sc
ries of dog paintings began. Today
this vast reservoir of quality color
plates and popular articles from
The Magazine, together with the
Society's research facilities, makes
possible the publication of this
book at it's modest price-a frac-
ton of what it would otherwise
cost"
"Book of Dogs" describes the
origins of various breeds, their
unusual deeds, special habits and
and abilities, size and markings.
The ancestry of CAMS familiaris
may be traced back some 80 mil
lion years to small, tree-climbing
creature called Miacis. This I'M
doglike patriarch was also the
progenitor of the bear and rae
coon. From Miacis came the Eura-
sian wolf which, biologists gen.
orally agree, was the precursor of
domesticated dogs.
Objects of Reverence
Egyptian tablets and inscrip-
tions carved 5000 to 5000 years
ago show that dogs served as
pets, hunters, and objects of rev.
erence. When a dog died in ancient
Egypt, the entire family went into
mourning.
Every breed has a fascinating
history. Aztecs sacrificed Chihua-
huas in the hope that noblemen's
sins would be transferred to the
dogs. The Beagle, Americas most
popular dog, hunted hares in pre-
Elizabethan England. The Irish
Wolfhound, king of CANNES by
virtue of his size, fought in Rome's
imperial circus in A. d. 391. The
St. Bernard has saved some $500
lives in Alpine rescues.
AS a family of mammals, dogs
are still developing. just since the
1905, conformation, trim of coat,
and ears of many familiar breeds
have changed.
The dogs life has not always
been easy, Currently, he is enjoy
ing the golden age of dogdom. In
the limited States alone. ID million