by Kim Sharpe

Created on: November 13, 2008   Last Updated: February 01, 2009

Cats are solitary, elusive, and often mysterious animals. They do not readily seek out their own kind except to mate. In the wild they hunt entirely alone, (the exception is the lion species). Dogs are the exact opposite of the cat. They are pack animals. They hate being alone and prefer to be in the company of their own kind night and day. And if other canines are not available then they will easily substitute humans or even other types of animals as their buddy. This is why a herding dog adopts a herd of sheep. They view these animals as their pack. In essense, their family. And to this adopted family they give their complete loyality and will even lay their lives on the line.

When a dog hunts it is entiraly as a pack. The canine lives in a very advanced society in the wild which is lead by an alpa breeding pair with other submissive canines that aid group in survival. In this pack they hunt like a well oiled machine. They will have leaders run point and others bring up the rear with various members placed in the middle. These dogs drive their prey forward into the waiting attack force of the front wave with those in the middle making sure that escape for the unfortunate prey is impossable. In this system wolves can bring down even the largest caribou by working in perfect planned unison as a true team. This is how survival is seen in the dogs head.

The dogs entire mind is geared towards the very survival of the pack. Without the pack the dog feels that it will die or at the very least be unable to thrive. This forces absolute loyalty because its very survival depends on the pack.

Mankind has taken the dog under its wing. We have given it food, shelter, and companionship. We call it our best friend. The dog can thrive in this situation because the human is replacing the pack. The dog sees its family as pack members. Every member of the family has a place in the pack. In the dogs mind their will be a leader pair, equals, and subordinates. The dog will pick out is place within its substitute pack. In this situation the dog will flourish. The human pack provides everything the dog needs and in exchange the dog will give its ultimate loyalty to the pack. In most cases a loyal dog will actually place its life on the line for its family. A dog will not hesitate to defend its pack even unto death. In the canines mind this ensures the survival of the pack. It insures the survival the species which is what all animals want and need.

This pack instinct is what makes dogs far more loyal then the solitary cat. The dog will truly love you uncondtionally because it feels it needs you for not only its survival but also its mental stability because a dog is geared to only live in a pack enviroment. Dogs literally need company and friendship to remain healthy and happy.

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