Canes Venatici (the hunting dogs) is a small northern constellation that was introduced by [Johannes Hevelius]? in the seventeenth century. It is supposed to represent the dogs Chara and Asterion held on a leash by Boötes.
Among the objects in Canes Venatici is the Whirlpool Galaxy, M51, a spiral galaxy that is seen face on. This was the first galaxy recognised as having a spiral structure, this structure being first observed by Lord Rosse in 1845.