Why do dogs bury bones?

Dog

When a dog buries a bone, it is probably following an age-old habit of burying food for safekeeping. The ancestors of dogs were wild animals that lived outside. These animals had to hunt for their food.

They often buried the food they couldn’t finish eating in a meal, hiding it from scavengers.  This also enabled the wild dogs to have a leftovers for a future meal.  Modern house dogs are still born with this instinct to bury food, even though it is no longer necessary.  

When burying a bone, a dog digs the hole with its front feet, but covers the bone with its nose.–Dick Rogers

Why Are Dalmatians Called Fire Dogs?

Dalmatian

The Dalmatian has been traditionally the pet of firemen, and was once kept as a companion to race alone with the horse-drawn fire engines. 

The Dalmatian is a large, white-spotted dog that looks a pointer.  Dalmatian are popularly known as fire dogs and are often found today as pets of firemen at fire station. 

Another  name for the Dalmatian is the coach dog.  These dogs were once used to run along with horse-drawn coaches to protect them from highwaymen.  At the end of the journey they stood guard over the coach. 

When early-time firemen began  using horses to pull their fire engines, they adopted the Dalmatian as a companion to run along with fire horses. 

Later, when fire engines became motorized, the Dalmatian was still kept as a mascot.  Dalmatian are not born with a spots.  Dalmatian puppies are pure white when they are born.  The black or brown spots appear after about three weeks.  Dalmatian were named for Dalmatia, in Yugoslavia, where they were ones raised as watchdogs.–Dick Rogers

How did the St. Bernard get its name?

St. Bernard Dog

The dog gets its name from the monastery of St. Bernard, in the Swiss Alps.  The Saint Bernard is a large, intelligent dog that has become famous for rescuing lost travelers.

These great rescue dogs got their name because they have been raised and trained for many centuries by Swiss monks at a rest house, called the Hospice of Saint Bernard, high in the snowy Alps of Switzerland.

At one time, there were many foot travelers who crossed the Alps through a high, dangerous pass.  They often lost their way or became buried in a sudden snowstorm.  The St. Bernard dog was trained to rescue them.  With its keen sense of smell, the St. Bernard could find people who were buried deep in the snow.

After it found the traveler, the dog would dig him out of the snow and bark loudly for help. When the monks heard the dog barking, they would bring the traveler to the hospice.

You have probably seen many picture of St. Bernard dogs with brandy keep around their necks.  But the dogs never really carried brandy kegs on their rescue missions.  Today, their rescue missions are almost never made.–Dick Rogers