World Dog Day
Around 40,000 years ago, the wolf crept closer to the human camp and at some point in history, a symbiosis between humans and the animal developed that has become indispensable. For thousands of years, dogs have been regarded as man’s best friend and companion, comforter and sporting mate.
The history of dogs and their early relationship with humans
Through natural selection, which lasted many thousands of years, some wolves evolved into the first dogs. Those animals that got along best with humans survived and continued to reproduce.
The targeted breeding of dogs began around 15,000 years ago, when humans realised that characteristics such as hunting ability or vigilance could be passed on. This is how the first different dog breeds developed.
The history of the dog in connection with industrialisation
From the 19th century onwards, dogs were increasingly kept as family members instead of being used exclusively for work as herding dogs, guard dogs or hunting dogs.
In the 20th and 21st centuries, dogs were increasingly used as pets, therapy dogs and rescue dogs. Through constant scientific findings and observations with regard to behaviour, nutrition or even dog keeping and breeding, the situation of the pet dog should improve more and more.
The dog as saviour of the soul and health
Dogs not only make people happy, they can even increase their life expectancy. A study by Uppsala University followed and analysed around 3.4 million people over a period of 12 years. The results are sensational, as analyses show that human mobility and physical health are maintained by walking dogs. Cuddling with a dog promotes the production of happiness hormones and, if the dog is allowed to come to work with you, there is less stress.
Gut Aiderbichl projects for dogs
Gut Aiderbichl’s animal sanctuaries are home to numerous puppies, as well as older dogs and dogs with disabilities. Many of them are waiting for loving people to be their best friend.
All too often, dog owners overburden themselves and realise too late that their dog was an ill-considered purchase, forgetting that their own life circumstances can change and that they can no longer manage to keep a dog.
Just as Christmas returns, people also go on holiday every year and abandon their pets. If they had ever looked into their dog’s faithful eyes, they would not be able to commit such offences.
Operation of Gut Aiderbichl outside the Austrian border
Gut Aiderbichl has also been committed to dogs outside the Austrian border for many years. We campaign for street dogs in Romania and for the rescue of galgos in Spain and give a loud voice to their suffering.
Street dogs in Romania
Cruel killings of homeless dogs were one of the triggers for Michael Aufhauser to found the animal welfare organisation Gut Aiderbichl. There are still over half a million homeless dogs living in Romania. Thousands of them end up in dubious animal shelters or killing centres. For this reason, the Gut Aiderbichl street dog project was launched in 2018. We want to help where the need is greatest. Our aim is to get the public in Romania to rethink their attitude and help as many dogs as possible.
Find out more about our project here: Our commitment to street dogs
Galgos in Spain
The Galgo Español is exploited and tortured by humans more than almost any other dog breed in the world. The sole purpose of the fast greyhounds is to win in chases. If they lose, they are punished – in an unimaginably cruel way. Every year in Spain alone, tens of thousands of hunting dogs such as Galgos, but also Podencos, are killed in agonising fashion. This all happens in the centre of Europe, but hardly anyone knows about it. We want to change this and draw attention to the fate of hunting dogs from Spain. This is the only way to end animal suffering.
Find out more about our project here: Our commitment to galgos
First we will do the small, simple things. Then, little by little, we will dedicate ourselves to the big things, and when these are done, we will dare to tackle the impossible.
– Francis of Assisi
From: Gisela Pschenitschnig, Gut Aiderbichl
