Dogs

Name

Dog

Alternate Names

Hound, Barker, Pawkin, Trackers

Description

Often considered the chief example of mortals ability to domestic animals, the dog is a colloquial term for a diverse group of species that all share two traits, firstly, that they were some form of social or pack hunter, and second, that they were domesticated by the mortal race of their homeworld. The range is vast, from the Human Pit-Hound to the Orcish Tusk-Hoof to even the Grace-Runners of the Saltarii. It seems that most worlds develop some sort of pack hunter and that almost every race domesticates at least some of them during their development.

This makes a lot of technological sense. As pack animals, the dog easily transfers its loyalty from not only the dog members of its family but to the mortal bipeds as well. As hunters, they aid us in the tracking and taking down of wild game, while the pack-bond means they will often serve as a last line of defense for a family's weak and vulnerable members. Dogs may not be as aggressive as cats, but they will often lay down their lives to protect their family. Dogs can also provide a level of service and companionship for those left without natural or social advantages, closing the gap society may have otherwise left uncovered.

Its hard to define the dog as a species, when it is actual a number of unrelated species serving in the same niche. Instead of trying to define each species and their breeds, I've provided a list of the most common breeds and their distinguishing characteristics:

Grace-Runners

The Salatarii have not only domesticated the grace-runner, but also shaped its evolution for thousands of years into something very different from its feral cousin. Their legs are extended, giving the animal a height between three and four feet, but their bodies are also built very narrowly. The stride of a grace-runner is impressive, and their agility as they navigate around obstacles is almost enough to make you believe they have snakes for spines. An extended naval cavity means they can draw in breath and create a type of musical fluting, said to have accompanied Saltarii Choirs of the past.

Pit-Hounds

Pit-hounds are a group of related Humanii dog breeds that vary from a mere thirty to a hefty hundred pounds. They generally have short hair, large ears, and a long snout with a medium sized tail. Pit-hounds are historically hunting dogs, although they also serve as companions and war dogs with very little cross-training and indeed often serve all three roles in a Human family. Of particular note is that some breeds have very developed Jaw muscles that allow the jaw to 'lock', making it almost impossible to remove the biting animal from their prey.

Tusk-Hoof

Tusk-Hoofs are a dog species from the Orcish homeworld. Like wild pigs, these animals have solid hooves for travel and a pair of jutting tusks that can tear up the ground or into their prey, something they often do not hesitate to do. The Tusk-hoof's body is meant for speed however, and they can obtain speeds far faster and for longer than most other kind of dogs. Tusk-hoofs are common companions for Farmholds, where they will often serve as night watchmen, content to sit in pairs at the boundries of the fields and alert their orcish companions to any threats seeking to steal upon them.

Wolf-Hounds

Wolfhounds are a curious human breed, sharing very little with either wolves or other hound breeds. These dogs are massive, easily bigger than even Grace-Runners, with a curly hair that serves in colder climates. They are a comparably gentle breed compared to other human-derived dogs, and are often left to guard the young of the family while the hunters roam. Their massive size is prized by nomadic humans, who often travel by horseback and appreicate the visibility of the taller animal. Of particular note is the bark of the wolf-hound. While the beast is known as gentle, its bark is anything but, sounding more like the cry of a feral werewolf than that of a domestic beast.