Although there are a few negative depictions of dogs in Christianity, it is the most tolerant of the major religions. A great number of Christians believe that the shepherds who once visited Jesus brought dogs with them. Because of their dogs are often depicted in nativity scenes.
Many saints are also depicted as having canine companions. Saint Patrick was said to have been guided on many occasions by a large gray dog, whose chest bore the mark of a white cross. Saint Margaret of Cortona is often depicted with a dog tugging at her skirt, this is largely due to stories of her being dragged to church by a dog. Grigio, a gray colored mutt, was the protector of Saint Giovanni Melchoir, also known as Don Bosco. Bosco was a priest who worked mostly with children in the slums of Turin, Italy. Throughout the many stories of the saints and their dogs, there is always a reoccurring theme, which is that the dogs are messengers of God, always leading saints to safety and testing their loyalty.
