The extent of Chaser's vocabulary is astonishing, but it's no surprise that a dog could be trained to sit, stay, or fetch particular objects from under the couch.

So with the holiday gift-giving season under way, I write this column for parents who may be asked by children for a dog or a horse.

Of thosesurveyed, dog-lovers were more likely to be male, living in ruralareas and under the age of 55.