Barking dogs, says the old platitude, seldom bite. Hard to say if that's true or false, and most of us don't want to test the theory. But test yourself and see how much you know about the ways dogs have influenced our culture. The domestic bond between us and them may reach 100,000 years into history and is, indeed, very special.
1. In the night sky, three stars of Orion's belt lead your eye to the dog star. Which is the dog star?
a) Canus Major b) Sirius c) Basenji d) Cerberus
2. Who is the terrifying three-headed dog who guards the gates of Hell?
a) Canus Major b) Wolfen c) Cerberus d) Zooma
3. What's the only breed of dog that has no ability to bark?
a) Basenji b) Alsatian c) American Hairless Terrier d) trick question
4. What constellation is thought to be a huge dog following his master, Orion, across the sky?
a) Canis Major b) Canis Minor c) Canine constellation d) Wolfus Maximus
5. In Australia what canine nickname is given to extremely cold weather?
a) dog days b) colder than a dog's nose c) doggone freezing d) three dog night
6. About how many puppies are born in the U.S. annually?
a) 5 thousand b) 50 thousand c) 500 thousand d) 5 million
7. What doggie name is given to the hottest days of August?
a) hotdog weather b) dog gone steam bath c) dog days d) doggie steam bath
8. What is a "hair of the dog that bit you"?
a) cure for a hangover b) evidence for a law suit c) cure for dog bite d) none of these
9. According to legend what baseball team fans were the first introduced to hot dogs?
a) Chicago Cubs b) St. Louis Browns c) Cleveland Indians d) Washington Senators
10 In what ancient kingdom did dogs live in temples guarding ancient wisdom?
a) Ottoman Empire b) Rome c) Incan Empire d) Egypt
11 What phrase admonishes us not to talk about troubles of the past?
a) let sleeping dogs lie b) put on the right dog c) don't kick a dog when he's down d) put old dogs to rest
ANSWERS:
1. Sirius, located on Canis Major's shoulder. The brightest in the heavens. In Greek, Sirius means sparkling and scorching. It's closest to the sun during the height of summer. 2. Cerberus. In mythology Hercules had to kidnap this monster as his twelfth labor. 3.Trick question - most would say Basenji. A champion quality Basenji shouldn't bark, though the breed isn't mute. We don't know of a mute breed. 4. Canis Major, or, the Great Dog. 5. Three dog night because it takes three dogs to keep a shepherd warm on the coldest nights. 6. Five million. An amazing number and a good reason to spay and neuter. Different sources differ on the exact number. 7. Dog days - it was once thought the Dog Star, Sirius, caused hot days during August - the dog days of summer. 8. Cure a hangover - by drinking more. About as logical as the phrase's origin - eating the hair of a mad dog would cure rabies. 9. The Browns. In 1893, team owner Chris Von de Ahe reportedly introduced hot dogs to fans. Maybe that's where the Brown's "dog pound" came from? 10. Egypt. There are still wild, vicious dogs at the temples guarding ancient secrets. 11. Let sleeping dogs lie - don't mess with something that's likely to cause more trouble.
Scoring: 1 to 3 correct, you might be a cat person. 4-6 correct, like most of us, you've absorbed dog-lore through osmosis. 7-9 Wow! You really know your dog stuff. And 10 or 11 correct is totally impressive. You're either a veterinarian or you need some new hobbies!
Sources:
Astro at UICC, The Complete Basenji, Elspet Ford: ISBN: 094895597X,Mythology, Edith Hamilton: ISBN: 98-67177, In-Pet, Bulfinch's Mythology, Thomas Bulfinch: ISBN: 051722688X, Slang City and Working Dog Web.
Maryan Pelland is an established writer and life-long dog owner whose family currently includes Ernie the Yorkie Poo and Rudy the Yorkie/Silky. Both dogs are neutered.
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