1033 Tom and Jerry (1/2)
Currently, there was no globally adopted standard when it came to differentiating between different breeds of dogs. If we followed the American Kennel Club's standards, pet dogs would generally be categorized into seven different groups: sporting dogs, hound dogs, working dogs, terriers, toy dogs, herding dogs, and non-sportings. These categories were formed in order to make competitions easier to handle, but dogs were generally split into two types: working dogs and non-working dogs.
Working dogs were dogs that were able to assist humans in their daily life or work. The others fell into the non-working category. Most of them were small breeds, like Pekingese, Chihuahuas, and Pomeranians. Other than accompanying humans and providing joy, they didn't have much use.
Simply put, what working dogs could do, non-working dogs couldn't. But what non-working dogs could do, working dogs could, too.
When humans first domesticated dogs, their sole purpose was to breed them for working purposes, to be the greatest ally to humans in the fight between homo sapiens and nature. With the development and growth of industrialization and tool-making, the need for working dogs had decreased, thus giving rise to non-working dogs.
Within the umbrella of working dogs, they could be further classified. For example, hounds that helped people hunt, herders that helped humans keep an eye on their livestock, service dogs that helped humans with everyday tasks, snow-sled dogs that were in charge of transport in the bone-chilling cold, guard dogs that risked their lives every day for their owners, and specialized military and K9s. Some breeds might have fallen under several categories. German Shepherds, for one, were a classic multi-purpose breed. They could be herd dogs, guard dogs, or police dogs.
After hearing Blackie's explanation, Zhang Zian immediately knew that he needed a guard dog. Only a guard dog would be able to chase away wild animals in a harsh environment, attack intruders, and be able to provide the greatest protection to their owner.
Blackie then asked, ”A guard dog? That sounds great, what kind of guard dogs do you provide?”
His gaze swept past Zhang Zian then, looking into the pet shop.
”About that...” Zhang Zian was stumped too.
Just like the netizens had guessed, his shop mostly sold breeds that were most suitable for common families to have. Most of them were small toy breeds. He had some working dogs like Golden Retrievers and Samoyeds, but no one in the cities would buy them in order to make them work. They would mainly keep them as pets.
He didn't sell the more ”aggressive” type of mid to big-sized dogs that he needed, but only those would be able to be a good guard dog in the wild. The needs of dogs within a city and the wilderness were vastly different.
”Why don't you guys come on in? Let's not talk while standing outside.” He invited Blackie and Snowy into his shop, giving the impressive Mercedes Benz G-class another jealous look.
”That's great, I'd wanted to see what Famous was all about too,” Blackie excitedly explained.
Snowy knew how Zhang Zian was. Seeing that he hadn't outright rejected them, but instead invited them into the shop, she knew that he had it settled, and relaxed.
But the netizens were assuming the worst of Zhang Zian.
”I knew it, the stingy owner definitely wouldn't reject a sale that walked right up to his door…”
”I think he's trying to cook up something. Probably trying to talk him into purchasing a Chihuahua for a guard dog…”
”Don't speak too soon. Chihuahuas are at least better guard dogs than the stupid sled dogs! They can't even protect their own arse!”
”What a tasteful comment…”
Snowy has been to the shop several times, and immediately spotted a new member added to the team with one look, squealing excitedly, ”Wow! Mr. Owner! Where did you get Tom?”