DOGS, PUPS and PEOPLE

Version en español

Nivel: Intermedio

Dogs are probably the most popular pets. People like dogs because, well, dogs like people – or seem to. If you live on a farm you can have a very big dog, or even two or three.

Smaller dogs are preferred by people who live in cities. This is because they don’t need as much exercise as big dogs. Many people don’t understand that big dogs need a lot of exercise. A walk around the park is not enough.

Chihuahua pups                            Saint Bernard                           Newfies 

One great thing about dogs is that they come in all sizes, from a miniature Chihuahua to the giants like a Saint Bernard or a Newfie. And no matter what size they are, they are friendly, loyal and easy to train.

In fact they can be trained to work, and dogs do important work with the police, in helping blind people, and in controlling animals in the fields.

Some people are afraid of dogs and believe that a dog might bite them. It is possible that a dog that is over-excited, frightened or just plain crazy might bite a person, but the majority of dogs never bite.

People should be careful about approaching a strange dog and trying to touch it.

The first two rules about having your own dog are – 1. Treat it well and 2. Make sure it is happy. The first two rules about other people’s dogs are – 1. Be careful and 2. Treat them with respect.

QUESTIONS:

1.   In the opinion of the writer, why do people like dogs?

2.   Does the writer think you could have only one dog on a farm?

3.   How much exercise does a big dog need?

4.   Why is it easier to keep a small dog if you live in the city?

5.   The article mentions two kinds of very big dogs; one is

the Newfie – what is the other one?

6.   Does the article say it is easy or difficult to train dogs?

7.   Give one example, from this article, of the work a dog can do.

8.   Does the writer think it is possible that a dog could bite

a person?

9.   How should people behave when approaching a dog they

don’t know?

10. What does the writer say is the first rule about your own dog?

ANSWERS:

1.   Because dogs like people (or seem to).

2.   No, you could have ‘even two or three’.

3.   Big dogs need a lot of exercise.

4.   They don’t need as much exercise.

5.   Saint Bernard.

6.   It says it is easy.

7.   Helping blind people.

8.   He says a dog might bite a person.

9.   1. Be careful, 2. Treat them with respect.

10. Treat it well.

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