Dogs in Greek/Roman culture?

[Urselius]

They had various types of hunting dogs, hounds from Britain were particularly prized, and formed a well-known British export. Molossian hounds from Epirus were also prized. The 'cave canem' (beware of the dog) mosaic in the entrance to the 'House of the Tragic Poet' in Pompeii suggests that the role of domestic watchdog existed. Literary descriptions also suggest that small 'lap-dogs' were kept as household pets. Shepherds routinely kept dogs as guards against wolves.