Editing Dog (section)

==Use of Dogs==
Due to its social adaptability, the domestic dog is the most diverse animal connected with humans. Many people today spend their free time with their dog and also do dog sports. It is not uncommon for the animals to function as their owner's sole social relationship. The humanization of the dogs, which often occurs here, often leads to serious mistakes in keeping, as their natural needs are disregarded.

In hunter-gatherer cultures, dogs were eaten in times of need; special breeds of dogs are bred for consumption in China. In Korea, the dog meat stew poshintang is a specialty. The slaughter of dogs has been banned in Germany since 1986. The same rule applies to the rest of the EU. The only exception to this in Europe is Switzerland. However, the trade in dog meat is also prohibited there.

Some breeds of dogs are suitable as guide dogs or, because of their excellent sense of smell, are used to detect intoxicants or explosives. Many animals can also be trained as rescue dogs.

The use of dogs as the poor man's draft animal was widespread well into the 20th century. Large dogs are anatomically better suited to pulling carts and sleds than horses, for example. A draft dog can pull up to three to five times its body weight.