The Greeks clearly understood the different attributes of the different breeds, and due to selective breeding they were able to make the most out of such differences by utilising breeds for specific purposes. In this way, the Greeks had a somewhat utilitarian approach to dogs, and although some dogs, particularly the toy breeds, were clearly cherished and kept as pets, the archaeological evidence suggests that dogs were sometimes used for food. However, given the importance that herding, hunting, and protection would have held for ancient Greeks, dogs must have been held in high regard given their abilities to assist their masters, and dog burials such as that of the single dog in Athens, with its thoughtful grave with beef bone, might attest to the significance that dogs held for the Greeks. Dogs also featured in Greek art, further signalling the mark and contribution that they made on the Greeks, and they are represented in Greek myth. Significantly, mythological dogs, such as Keberos and Lailaps, were associated with gods and possessed magical powers, which attests to the impact dogs must have had on Greek culture. This impact was so strong that dogs had importance in ancient Greek religion, specifically, dogs were thought of as being able to help people in the afterlife. They could provide protection and assistance in one's journey to the underworld, and they could help with illness and purification. Thus, that dog permeated so many significant aspects of ancient Greek culture and daily life, shows us that they were indeed highly important animals to the Greek
The Greeks clearly understood the different attributes of the different breeds, and due to selective breeding they were able to make the most out of such differences by utilising breeds for specific purposes. In this way, the Greeks had a somewhat utilitarian approach to dogs, and although some dogs, particularly the toy breeds, were clearly cherished and kept as pets, the archaeological evidence suggests that dogs were sometimes used for food. However, given the importance that herding, hunting, and protection would have held for ancient Greeks, dogs must have been held in high regard given their abilities to assist their masters, and dog burials such as that of the single dog in Athens, with its thoughtful grave with beef bone, might attest to the significance that dogs held for the Greeks. Dogs also featured in Greek art, further signalling the mark and contribution that they made on the Greeks, and they are represented in Greek myth. Significantly, mythological dogs, such as Keberos and Lailaps, were associated with gods and possessed magical powers, which attests to the impact dogs must have had on Greek culture. This impact was so strong that dogs had importance in ancient Greek religion, specifically, dogs were thought of as being able to help people in the afterlife. They could provide protection and assistance in one's journey to the underworld, and they could help with illness and purification. Thus, that dog permeated so many significant aspects of ancient Greek culture and daily life, shows us that they were indeed highly important animals to the Greek