ELI5: Why Do Old Paintings Have Dogs in Them?

Old paintings have dogs in them because dogs were an important part of people's everyday lives, just like our beloved pets are today.

Hundreds of years ago, there were no cameras or smartphones to take quick snapshots. When someone wanted a picture of their family, they had to hire an artist to paint a portrait. Naturally, people wanted to include their furry friends in these pictures.

In everyday life back then, dogs had several special roles:

• Helpers with chores: Long ago, dogs were like little workers. Some dogs helped farmers guard sheep, while others helped hunters catch food for dinner. Showing a dog in a painting showed that a family was good at working and providing food.
• Warm and cuddly heaters: In the cold winter months, houses did not have modern heating. People kept tiny lap dogs to sit on their knees to keep them warm like living hot-water bottles.
• True and loyal friends: Just like today, dogs loved their owners no matter what. Artists painted dogs sitting at a person's feet to show that the human was loving, trustworthy, and had a loyal companion.
• Fancy accessories: Having a very well-groomed, rare dog was like wearing a fancy watch or carrying a shiny new toy. It showed off that the owner had enough money to feed an extra mouth that did not have to work.