Dogs are domesticated descendants of wolves that have lived and evolved alongside humans for tens of thousands of years. This long and unique relationship has earned them the moniker "man's best friend," a testament to their loyalty, companionship, and ability to form strong emotional bonds with people. From the earliest days as hunter-gatherer companions to modern-day family pets, dogs have been selectively bred to accentuate a wide variety of traits, resulting in the immense diversity seen across hundreds of modern dog breeds. This incredible range includes everything from the tiny Chihuahua to the massive Great Dane, each bred for different purposes, whether it be hunting, herding, or simply providing affection.

A dog's highly-tuned senses, especially its superior sense of smell, have played a major role in its partnership with humans. With up to 300 million olfactory receptors in their noses, dogs can detect scents in concentrations that are magnitudes lower than what humans can perceive. This extraordinary ability has made them invaluable assets in countless fields, assisting in search and rescue missions, detecting contraband, and even sniffing out diseases in medical samples. Beyond their working roles, the presence of dogs in households has also been linked to numerous mental and physical health benefits for their owners, such as reduced stress, increased physical activity, and decreased loneliness.