FUN WITH MAPS ISSUE 2024-160

By Steve Kovacs (Introduction by Chuck Gibson)

LOVELAND, OH (August 26, 2024) – In this edition of Fun with Maps we honor man’s best furry friends.

MAN’S BEST FRIEND

Today is the 20th year to celebrate National Dog Day!  Today we honor family dogs, working dogs, and all those still looking for their “furever homes.”

This furry descendant of the wolves was the first animal to be domesticated by humans.  The dog is considered to be a separate species from the wolf because of its upturned tail, not found in the other canine creatures. 

Dogs vary greatly in size and shape, with over 450 recognized breeds.  The American Kennel Club divides these breeds into 7 categories – sporting, hound, working, terrier, herding, toy, non-working (editorial comment – the kind we always seem to get no matter what breed we have), and miscellaneous.  The newest breed recognized by the AKC is an addition to the Herding group, the Lancashire Heeler.

So, celebrate a dog today and consider the strong relationship between man and his best friend.

In 1968 there were much fewer recognized breeds, and some of them are shown in this map pointing to the origins of the displayed breed.  The map is by Langeneckert created for the Ralston Purina company.

Steve Kovacs and his wife Theresa reside in Loveland, Ohio where they raised their two children. He is a passionate collector of antique maps.

Visit his antique map boutique world-on-paper online. Watch for his daily feature Steve Kovacs: Fun with Maps here on Loveland Beacon.