An animal that performs valuable service to humans, often with reference to dogs. Prior to the 18th century dogs were kept for hunting and defence and not as pets.
It was first used by King Frederick II of Prussia before his death in 1786. It is he who said, “the only, absolute and best friend a man has, in this selfish world, the only one that will not betray or deny him, is his dog”. On his death, the animal-loving king requested that he be buried next to his beloved greyhounds at Sanssouci, his summer palace in Berlin.