I can be large or smaller, black with a white head, brown or grey. I can hover in the sky and spot prey from a mile away.

The path of a well thrown American football pass. A staircase that goes round and round. The shape of a galaxy important to me and to you. The cut of a holiday ham.

Armored and horned, Yet weak to thumb, Entomophobes be forewarned, A short life may make my owners quite glum.

I've helped sell Coke, don't you know. Against a backdrop of Christmas, mountains of white snow. But of us three, the most dangerous I be. Of us three, they tell you to say goodnight to me. What am I?

From Chihuahua to Great Dane, Ancient ancestor I remain.