Dogs were the first animal to be domesticated and the first ‘man-made’ species. Today, there are hundreds of recognised dog breeds, each with its own unique set of physical and behavioural characteristics… but they all retain certain instincts and behaviours that can be traced back to their origins as wolves.

But where did it all start? I’m pretty sure I can’t grab a wolf, give it a snack and expect it to curl up in my living room. So how and why did this happen, and when? Why are dogs such an important and even fundamental part of human lives? And why not bears or foxes? How did we end up with so many different breeds? And how different are they really?

In this Slice, we’ll answer all those questions by looking at wolf and dog evolution and some of the early dog breeds and their purposes. We’ll also find out the surprising truth about pedigrees, offer some tips on training and behaviour, have a quick look at some heroic dogs in fiction and real life, and consider what the future might hold for dogs.

This is the biography of man's best friend, covering the good, the bad and the pugly... an ideal gift for dog lovers!