Cats have been living with people for about 5,000 years; dogs, for about 15,000 years. Dogs have been selectively bred during this time to produce able servants for humans. A few examples are dogs that retrieve game, dogs that herd sheep, and sled dogs. Cats, on the other hand, have been valued for what they do naturally--hunt rodents. Their natural intelligence and instincts have not been diluted by selective breeding. They are essentially the same in mind and body as their wild ancestors and their cousins, the big cats. Keep in mind that in every little house cat there lurks a magnificent tiger!