The ancient Romans kept three types of dogs: hunting dogs, especially sighthounds Molossus dogs like the Neapolitan Mastiff, often depicted in reliefs and mosaics with the words 'Cave Canem' and small companion dogs like the Maltese, used as women's lap dogs. This theme has been often depicted in ancient Greek vases. Homer's Odyssey tells the story of Odysseus, who raised a dog called Argos, and who was the only one that recognized him when he returned home after his travels, disguised to concealed his appearance. Dogs were appreciated by the Greeks for their faith and love. Dogs were given as gifts among lovers and kept as pets, guardians, and for hunting.

The Ancient Greeks and Romans, contrary to the Semitic cultures, favored dogs as pets, valuing them for their faithfulness and courage they were often seen on Greek and Roman reliefs and ceramics as symbols of fidelity. Rock art of Tassili n'Ajjer also include depictions that are highly suggestive of dogs. One of the prehistoric paintings estimated to be 9,000 years old found at the Bhimbetka rock shelters in India depict a dog held on a leash by a man. There are illustrations of dogs on the walls of tombs dating back to the Bronze Age, as well as statues, children's toys, and ceramics depicting dogs. Only the nobility were allowed to keep hunting dogs, and this would signal status.Дog portraits became increasingly popular in the 18th century, and the establishment of The Kennel Club in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland in 1873, and the American Kennel Club in 1884 introduced breed standards or 'word pictures', which further encouraged the popularity of dog portraiture.Д¬ourt ladies playing with a small dog, Beauties Wearing Flowers by Tang Dynasty painter Zhou Fang Hunting dogs were generally connected to the aristocracy. They were cherished as part of the family, and were regarded highly by the upper classes, who used them for hunting and could afford to feed them.

The dogs were brought to houses and were allowed to live in the house. Throughout art history, mainly in Western art, there is an overwhelming presence of dogs as status symbols and pets in painting. ДЄs dogs became more domesticated, they were shown as companion animals, often painted sitting on a lady's lap. Dogs were depicted to symbolize guidance, protection, loyalty, fidelity, faithfulness, alertness, and love. Hunting scenes were popular in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. After the hunt, 1870, by David Neal (1838вЂ“1915)Д¬ultural depictions of dogs in art has become more elaborate as individual breeds evolved and the relationships between human and canine developed.

Sleeping dogs image