Canis Major Mythology
Canis Major has since ancient times been the dog of Orion. Canis is forever in pursuit of the Hare (Lepus). The belt stars in Orion point to Sirius (the Dog Star), which we draw as the nose of the dog. The Eygtians saw the star rising as the season of flooding on the Nile began.
Orion's hunting dogs, Canis Major and Canis Minor have no relation to Boötes' Hounds, Canes Venatici. The sky is just filled with dogs... Notice that there are no constellations for the domesticated cat. Therefore, dogs are better than cats! (ha, ha)
Canis Major, the Greater Dog is visible in the Northern Hemisphere from December - March, and visible in the Southern Hemisphere between November and April.