Are You Sure You’re a Dog?

By Corey Colombin

The other day, while I was waiting for a flight, I spent the time people-watching. Fascinating! The amazing array of humanity that passed before me was as varied as one could imagine. Extra tall, followed by extra short, stick-thin alongside alarmingly round—skin colors across the spectrum. Dads were corralling their offspring, moms were wearing their young like a koala, some fit specimens jogged to make a flight, while very old couples shuffled tentatively. Outfits ranged from smart business clothes to what looked to be pajamas on both males and females. And the hairstyles represented were all over the map, both on heads and faces. And while I sat there amusing myself with the parade of interesting subjects, I thought, it’s amazing that we are all part of the same species.
I shouldn’t be surprised. Not really. Think of other examples in the animal kingdom: birds that range in size from swift and tiny hummingbirds to lumbering, flightless ostriches; fish that appear from tiny guppies to whale sharks; and insects with their outlandish shapes, sizes, colors and capabilities. And how about primates—humanity’s closest relatives—ranging from pygmy marmosets to the great apes? It’s mind-boggling.

One of the more accessible examples of the wildly represented varieties of a species is the family dog. Guardian and companion of we hapless humans, the canine species is astounding in its variety. Picture a Chihuahua, trembling and vulnerable with its little round cap, oversized ears and bulging eyes. Now picture a Great Dane, its size comparable to a mini horse. The Great Dane’s head is literally the size of several toy dog breeds—bigger even. The Great Dane’s bark is a thundering baritone—just what you’d expect from a dog that size. Naturally, the Chihuahua’s bark is shrill and high-pitched. It’s hard to believe, but both the Chihuahua and the Great Dane, and every breed between, belong to the species Canis Lupis Familiaris, direct descendants of the gray wolf.
The good news about there being so many varieties is that there is a breed of dog for every type of person and their wants, wishes and needs. A princess-obsessed little girl, surrounded by plush stuffies and hair ribbons, would be just the candidate for a Papillon, Shih Tzu, or Pomeranian. Any would be a dream come true, all three being in the toy class of dog breeds. And because of their long hair, they would be perfect for a little girl who wants to practice hairstyles. They are lightweight, which equates to being carried everywhere, and small enough to fit inside a carriage for those times when a stroll is on the agenda. Running around the house or a backyard is enough exercise for these small breeds. They also fit nicely on even small laps, so they are cuddly. They are called toy breeds for a reason.
Perhaps there is an outdoorsy 12-year-old boy who can’t wait to get outside and explore every day. He is often spotted pedaling down the street, a baseball glove hanging off the handlebars. He likes to play hard, and he has lots of energy. There are many breeds that would be perfect for a boy like that. Dogs that like to fetch, like Retrievers—Goldens and Labradors—tend to have lots of energy and are easy-going, popular family dogs. Border Collies are smart to boot and tend to be athletes themselves, so they’re fun to challenge and train to be extreme jumpers and obstacle course runners. Honestly, it’s not hard to find a medium- to large-sized dog to be the constant companion of a kid who wants to play, ride and run all day. Shelter dogs, especially mixed breeds, are often very loyal and ready to embrace all that freedom, especially if it has their own special person.
Many humans have conditions that require a service dog to help them deal with physical or mental/emotional challenges specific to their condition. First, intense screening and training takes place to ensure that a dog is fit for that purpose and then again to pair them with a person in need. Veterans with PTSD are often lucky recipients of these animals, and it is a game-changer. These dogs are usually large dogs of even temperament and their usefulness is beyond measure—lifesaving, even. Service dogs can even be small dogs, which can be helpful to reduce anxiety. It makes sense because a person suffering from debilitating anxiety would also want to be able to pick up and cuddle their dog—keep them close. A Great Dane would be wholly unsuited to that job, unless the person is willing to let that behemoth of a dog sit on their lap. I would hazard a guess that feeling like you’re being crushed would not be an anxiety-reducing experience.
My husband and I are not in need of a service dog, nor a guard dog, but have always had dogs as part of the family. Until recently, Labradors. At one time, we even had three. The longest stretch we ever went without having a dog in the house was about seven months between the death of Mimi (at 15), and the acquisition of Daisy, who is our current canine family member. And she is a character. Our dogs have always been hilariously quirky, and imperfectly lovable. And they have been true members of the family, through and through.
My recent people-watching episode at the airport set my mind to wondering how people can be so different and yet all be part of the same species. That train of thought moved into musing the same about dogs. It’s how my mind wanders, and I rather like it that way. So, the next time you visit a dog park or watch the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, I encourage you to really look at each breed and note how they differ. So many sizes, shapes, colors and dominant characteristics. Many characteristics were bred for certain purposes. Great Pyrenees make great mountain sheep dogs, and Huskies are bred for pulling sleds in very cold climes. Some small Terrier breeds make good rat dogs; others make good lap dogs. Some dogs are bred for their beauty or strength and others for their protectiveness and loyalty. Some breeds are so silly and human-like that you want to ask them, “Are you sure you’re a dog?” If it comes to that, let me know if they answer back.