Domestic dog Fossil range: Late Pleistocene - Recent
other images of dogs
Conservation status
Domesticated
Scientific classification
Domain: Eukaryota Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Family: Canidae Genus: Canis Species: C. lupus Subspecies: C. l. familiaris
Trinomial name
Canis lupus familiaris

Dogs Portal

The dog (Canis lupus familiaris) is a domestic subspecies of the wolf, a mammal of the Canidae family of the order Carnivora. The term encompasses both feral and pet variants. It is also sometimes used to describe wild canids of other subspecies or species. The Pleistocene epoch (IPA: ) is part of the geologic timescale. ... Image File history File linksMetadata YellowLabradorLooking. ... The conservation status of a species is an indicator of the likelihood of that species continuing to survive either in the present day or the future. ... Scientific classification or biological classification is a method by which biologists group and categorize species of organisms. ... Kingdoms Eukaryotes are organisms with complex cells, in which the genetic material is organized into membrane-bound nuclei. ... Animalia redirects here. ... Typical Classes See below Chordates (phylum Chordata) are a group of animals that includes the vertebrates, together with several closely related invertebrates. ... Subclasses Subclass Allotheria* Order Docodonta (extinct) Order Multituberculata (extinct) Order Palaeoryctoides (extinct) Order Triconodonta (extinct) Order Volaticotheria (extinct) Subclass Prototheria Order Monotremata Subclass Theria Infraclass Trituberculata (extinct) Infraclass Metatheria Infraclass Eutheria Mammals are a class of vertebrate animals characterized by the production of milk in females for the nourishment of... Families 17, See classification The diverse order Carnivora (IPA: or IPA: ; from Latin carō (stem carn-) flesh, + vorāre to devour) includes over 260 placental mammals. ... Genera Alopex Atelocynus Canis Cerdocyon Chrysocyon Cuon Cynotherium † Dusicyon † Dasycyon Fennecus Lycalopex Lycaon Nyctereutes Otocyon Pseudalopex Speothos Urocyon Vulpes Wikispecies has information related to: Canidae Canidae is the family of carnivorous and omnivorous mammals commonly known as canines. ... Species Canis adustus Canis aureus Canis dirus (extinct) Canis latrans Canis lupus Canis mesomelas Canis simensis   † also includes dogs. ... “Gray Wolves” redirects here. ... Trinomial nomenclature is a taxonomic naming system that extends the standard system of binomial nomenclature by adding a third taxon. ... Image File history File links HappyMutt. ... In zoology, as in other branches of biology, subspecies is the rank immediately subordinate to a species. ... “Gray Wolves” redirects here. ... Subclasses Subclass Allotheria* Order Docodonta (extinct) Order Multituberculata (extinct) Order Palaeoryctoides (extinct) Order Triconodonta (extinct) Order Volaticotheria (extinct) Subclass Prototheria Order Monotremata Subclass Theria Infraclass Trituberculata (extinct) Infraclass Metatheria Infraclass Eutheria Mammals are a class of vertebrate animals characterized by the production of milk in females for the nourishment of... Genera Alopex Atelocynus Canis Cerdocyon Chrysocyon Cuon Cynotherium † Dusicyon † Dasycyon Fennecus Lycalopex Lycaon Nyctereutes Otocyon Pseudalopex Speothos Urocyon Vulpes Wikispecies has information related to: Canidae Canidae is the family of carnivorous and omnivorous mammals commonly known as canines. ... Families 17, See classification The diverse order Carnivora (IPA: or IPA: ; from Latin carō (stem carn-) flesh, + vorāre to devour) includes over 260 placental mammals. ... Kritikos Lagonikos, a. ... It has been suggested that Residential pets be merged into this article or section. ... Wild Dog may refer to one of the following: African Wild Dog — an African mammal Wild Dog (comics) — a DC Comics character Wild Dog (Time Crisis) — a villain in the Time Crisis series of videogames Category: ...

Over time, the dog has developed into hundreds of breeds with a great degree of variation. For example, heights at the withers range from just a few inches (such as the Chihuahua) to roughly three feet (such as the Irish Wolfhound); colors vary from white through grays (usually called blue) to black, and browns from light (tan) to dark ("red" or "chocolate") in a tremendous variation of patterns; and coats can be anything from very short to several centimeters long, from coarse hair to something akin to wool, straight or curly, or smooth. This Chihuahua mix and Great Dane show the wide range of dog breed sizes. ... The withers is the highest point on an animals back, on the ridge between its shoulder blades. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... The Irish Wolfhound is a breed of dog (a sighthound) bred to hunt. ... A dogs coat is its fur. ...

Overview

Origins

Main article: Origin of the domestic dog

Some research appears to show that dogs were domesticated from wolves as recently as 15,000 years ago,^[1] or perhaps as early as 100,000 years ago based upon recent genetic, fossil and DNA evidence.^[2] Other research suggests that dogs have only been domesticated for a much shorter amount of time and were domesticated from populations of wild dogs, which had previously diverged from wolves.^[3][4] It has been suggested that Dog#Ancestry and history of domestication, Dog#Neoteny_in_the_rapid_evolution_of_diverse_dog_breeds be merged into this article or section. ... Dogs and sheep were among the first animals to be domesticated. ... “Gray Wolves” redirects here. ... FOSSIL is a standard for allowing serial communication for telecommunications programs under DOS. FOSSIL is an acronym for Fido Opus Seadog Standard Interface Layer. ... The structure of part of a DNA double helix Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is a nucleic acid that contains the genetic instructions for the development and function of living organisms. ...

New evidence suggests that dogs were first domesticated in East Asia, possibly China,^[5] and the first peoples to enter North America took dogs with them from Asia. Genetic research has identified 14 ancient dog breeds, with the oldest being the Chow Chow, Shar Pei, Akita Inu, Shiba Inu and Basenji. Because many of the 14 breeds are associated with China and Japan, the theory that the dog originated in Asia seems to be likely.^[5] Fourteen ancient breeds of dog have recently been identified through advances in DNA analysis. ... Chow-chow is a combination of different vegetables: cabbage, carrots, beans, asparagus, cauliflower, and peas which are pickled in a jar and served cold. ... Å­Go to Shar Pei for a surprise! A Shar-Pei Is an awesome dog. ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... The Shiba Inu ) is the smallest of the six original and distinct breeds of dog from Japan. ... The Basenji is a breed of hunting dog that originates in central Africa. ...

As humans migrated around the planet a variety of dog forms migrated with them. The agricultural revolution and subsequent urban revolution led to an increase in the dog population and a demand for specialization. These circumstances would provide the opportunity for selective breeding to create specialized working dogs and pets. In the Earths history there have been a number of agricultural revolutions. ... In anthropology and archaeology, the urban revolution is the process by which small, kin-based, nonliterate agricultural villages are transformed into large, socially complex, civilized urban centres. ... Specialization is the separation of tasks within a system. ... It has been suggested that Backyard breeder be merged into this article or section. ... This working dog is a border collie mix. ... It has been suggested that Residential pets be merged into this article or section. ...

Human relationships

Dogs, like humans, are highly social animals and this similarity in their overall behavioral pattern accounts for their trainability, playfulness, and ability to fit into human households and social situations. This similarity has earned dogs a unique position in the realm of interspecies relationships. A social animal is a loosely defined term for an organism that is highly interactive with other members of its species to the point of having a recognizable and distinct society. ...

The loyalty and devotion that dogs demonstrate as part of their natural instincts as pack animals closely mimics the human idea of love and friendship, leading many dog owners to view their pets as full-fledged family members. Conversely, dogs seem to view their human companions as members of their pack, and make few, if any, distinctions between their owners and fellow dogs. Dogs fill a variety of roles in human society and are often trained as working dogs. For dogs that do not have traditional jobs, a wide range of dog sports provide the opportunity to exhibit their natural skills. In many countries, the most common and perhaps most important role of dogs is as companions. For the Brian Yuzna film, see Society (film). ... This working dog is a border collie mix. ... Dog sports are activities that involve dogs. ... Companion dog usually describes a dog that does not work, providing only companionship as a pet, rather than usefulness by doing specific tasks. ...

Dogs have lived with and worked with humans in so many roles that their loyalty has earned them the unique sobriquet "man's best friend".^[6] However, some cultures consider dogs to be unclean. In some parts of the world, dogs are raised as livestock to produce dog meat for human consumption. In many places, consumption of dog meat is discouraged by social convention or cultural taboo. A sobriquet is a nickname or a fancy name, usually a familiar name given by others as distinct from a pseudonym assumed as a disguise, but a nickname which is familiar enough such that it can be used in place of a real name without the need of explanation. ... It has been suggested that Clean animals be merged into this article or section. ... Sheep are commonly bred as livestock. ... A platter of cooked dog meat In some countries, apart from being kept as pets, certain breeds of dogs are raised on farms and slaughtered for their meat. ... Swine are considered treyf, non-kosher (unfit or unclean) in Judaism or haraam (forbidden) in Islam Taboo food and drinks are food and drink which people abstain from consuming for religious or cultural reasons. ...

Terminology

The English word dog, in common usage, refers to the domestic pet dog, Canis lupus familiaris. The species was originally classified as Canis familiaris by Linnaeus in 1758. In 1993, dogs were reclassified as a subspecies of the gray wolf, Canis lupus, by the Smithsonian Institution and the American Society of Mammalogists. "Dog" is sometimes used to refer collectively to any mammal belonging to the family Canidae (as in "the dog family"), such as wolves, foxes, and coyotes. Some members of the family have "dog" in their common names, such as the African Wild Dog. The constellations Canes Venatici, Canis Major and Canis Minor are named from the Latin word for "dog," for their perceived resemblance to dogs. The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ... It has been suggested that Residential pets be merged into this article or section. ... The Smithsonian Institution Building or Castle on the National Mall serves as the Institutions headquarters. ... The American Society of Mammalogists (ASM) was founded in 1919. ... Genera Alopex Atelocynus Canis Cerdocyon Chrysocyon Cuon Cynotherium † Dusicyon † Dasycyon Fennecus Lycalopex Lycaon Nyctereutes Otocyon Pseudalopex Speothos Urocyon Vulpes Wikispecies has information related to: Canidae Canidae is the family of carnivorous and omnivorous mammals commonly known as canines. ... Binomial name Lycaon pictus (Temminck, 1820) African Wild Dog range The African Wild Dog, Lycaon pictus also known as the African Hunting Dog, Cape Hunting Dog, or Painted Hunting Dog, is a mammal of the Canidae family, and thus related to the domestic dog. ... Canes Venatici (Latin for Hunting dogs) is a small northern constellation that was introduced by Johannes Hevelius in the 17th century. ... Canis Major (IPA: , Latin: ) is one of the 88 modern constellations, and was also in Ptolemys list of 48 constellations. ... Canis Minor (IPA: , Latin: ) is one of the 88 modern constellations, and was also in Ptolemys list of 48 constellations. ... Latin was the language originally spoken in the region around Rome called Latium. ...

The English word dog might derive from the Old English docga, a "powerful breed of canine". The French dogue and Spanish dogo as in dogo Argentino are borrowings from English. The English word hound is a cognate of German Hund, Dutch hond, common Scandinavian hund, Icelandic hundur which, though referring to a specific breed in English, means "dog" in general in the other Germanic languages. Hound itself derives from the Proto-Indo-European *kwon-, which is the direct root of the Greek κυων (kuōn) and the indirect root of the Latin canis through the variant form *kani-.^[7] Common nickname Dogo Country of origin Argentina Classification and breed standards The Dogo Argentino (or Argentinian Mastiff) is a large, white, muscular, and courageous dog that was developed in Argentina for big game hunting. ... The Proto-Indo-European language (PIE) is the hypothetical common ancestor of the Indo-European languages. ... Species Canis adustus Canis aureus Canis dirus (extinct) Canis latrans Canis lupus Canis mesomelas Canis simensis   † also includes dogs. ...

In breeding circles, a male canine is referred to as a dog, while a female canine is called a bitch. Offspring are generally called pups or puppies until they are about a year old. A group of offspring is a litter. The process of birth is whelping. Many terms are used for dogs that are not purebred. Mixed-breed puppy A puppy is a juvenile dog, generally less than one year of age. ... This small dog of unknown parentage may be part Chihuahua or Miniature Pinscher. ...

Intelligence

Main article: Dog intelligence

Many dogs can easily be trained to retrieve.

Among dog lovers, dogs are generally valued for their intelligence, and both anecdotal evidence and scientific research suggest that dogs have a reasonably high intelligence. This intelligence is expressed differently with different breeds and individuals, however. For example, Border Collies are noted for their ability to learn commands, while other breeds may not be so motivated towards obedience, but instead show their cleverness in devising ways to steal food or escape from a yard. Being highly adaptable animals themselves, dogs have learned to do a great number of very eclectic jobs as humans have required over the generations. Dogs are employed in various roles across the globe, proving invaluable assets in areas such as search-and-rescue; law enforcement (including attack dogs, sniffer dogs and tracking dogs); guards for livestock, people or property; herding; Arctic exploration sled-pullers; guiding the blind and acting as a pair of ears for the deaf; assisting with hunting, and a great many other roles which they may be trained to assume. Most dogs rarely have to deal with complex tasks and are unlikely to learn relatively complicated activities (such as opening doors) unaided. Some dogs (such as guide dogs for the visually impaired) are specially trained to recognize and avoid dangerous situations. It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into The Intelligence of Dogs. ... Download high resolution version (1600x1067, 212 KB) Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Download high resolution version (1600x1067, 212 KB) Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Anecdotal evidence is an informal account of evidence in the form of an anecdote, or hearsay. ... Scientific method is a body of techniques for investigating phenomena and acquiring new knowledge, as well as for correcting and integrating previous knowledge. ... The Border Collie is a hardworking breed of herding dog that originated in the border country of England and Scotland. ... A blind man is led by his guide dog in Brasília, Brazil. ...

Evaluation of a dog's intelligence

The meaning of "intelligence" in general, not only in reference to dogs, is hard to define. Some tests measure problem-solving abilities and others test the ability to learn in comparison to others of the same age. Defining it for dogs is just as difficult. It is likely that dogs do not have the ability to premeditate an action to solve a problem. Some dogs may, however, have more drive to keep trying various things until they accidentally reach a solution and still others might have more ability to make the association between the "accident" and the result.^{[citation needed]}

For example, the ability to learn quickly could be a sign of intelligence. Conversely it could be interpreted as a sign of blind subservience and a desire to please. In contrast, some dogs who do not learn very quickly may have other talents. An example is breeds that are not particularly interested in pleasing their owners, such as Siberian Huskies. Huskies are often fascinated with the myriad of possibilities for escaping from yards, catching small animals, and often figuring out on their own numerous inventive ways of doing both. Intelligence is the mental capacity to reason, plan, solve problems, think abstractly, comprehend ideas and language, and learn. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

Assistance dogs are also required to be obedient at all times. This means they must learn a tremendous number of commands, understand how to act in a large variety of situations, and recognize threats to their human companion, some of which they might never before have encountered. An assistance dog is a dog trained to help a person with a disability. ...

Many owners of livestock guardian breeds believe that breeds like the Great Pyrenees or the Kuvasz are not easily trained because their stubborn nature prevents them from seeing the point of such commands as “sit” or “down”. Hounds may also suffer from this type of ranking. In fact several rank in the bottom tier of "The Intelligence of Dogs" list (such as Beagles, Bloodhounds, and Basset Hounds).^{[citation needed]} These dogs are bred to have more of a "pack" mentality with other dogs and less reliance on a master's direct commands. While they may not have the same kind of intelligence as a Border Collie, they were not bred to learn and obey commands quickly, but to think for themselves while trailing game. Kazakh shepherd, his and his dogs primary job is to guard the sheep from predators Livestock Guarding Dogs (LGDs) is the name used by biologists for dogs bred to guard livestock such as sheep. ... Pyrenean Mountain Dog Categories: Stub | Dog breeds ... The Kuvasz (pronounced KOO-vahss; plural Kuvaszok, pronounced KOO-vah-sock) is a dog breed of ancient Hungarian origin. ... Categories: Dog stubs | Dog types ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... For other uses, see Bloodhound (disambiguation). ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

Physical characteristics

Main article: Dog anatomy

Some dogs, like this Weimaraner, have their predatory instincts suppressed in order to better assist human hunters.

See also: Dog health

Modern dog breeds show more variation in size, appearance, and behavior than any other domestic animal. Within the range of extremes, dogs generally share attributes with their wild ancestors, the wolves. Dogs are predators and scavengers, possessing sharp teeth and strong jaws for attacking, holding, and tearing their food. Although selective breeding has changed the appearance of many breeds, all dogs retain basic traits from their distant ancestors. Like many other predatory mammals, the dog has powerful muscles, fused wristbones, a cardiovascular system that supports both sprinting and endurance, and teeth for catching and tearing. Compared to the bone structure of the human foot, dogs technically walk on their toes. The anatomy of dogs varies tremendously from breed to breed, more than in any other animal species, wild or domesticated. ... Weimaraner Windwalkers Thunder Road Taken Feb 22,2004 at the SMART/USDAA dog agility competition in Salinas, CA. Photo by Ellen Levy Finch (Elf). ... Weimaraner Windwalkers Thunder Road Taken Feb 22,2004 at the SMART/USDAA dog agility competition in Salinas, CA. Photo by Ellen Levy Finch (Elf). ... The Weimaraner is a silver-grey breed of dog developed originally both for tracking game, such as birds, and as a pointing breed. ... Cavalier King Charles Spaniel with bandaged foot. ... This Chihuahua mix and Great Dane show the wide range of dog breed sizes. ... “Gray Wolves” redirects here. ... This snapping turtle is trying to make a meal of a Canada goose, but the goose is too wary. ... For a person who scavenges, see Waste picker. ... The circulatory system or cardiovascular system is the organ system which circulates blood around the body of most animals. ...

Sight

Amazonian dogs, such as this one from Alto Amazonas, Peru are critical for indigenous peoples' hunting strategies, particularly in the rain forest.

Like most mammals, dogs are dichromats and have color vision equivalent to red-green color blindness in humans.^[8][9] Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (3072x2304, 3999 KB) Amazonian Dog, Alto Amazonas, Loreto Peru. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (3072x2304, 3999 KB) Amazonian Dog, Alto Amazonas, Loreto Peru. ... Alto Amazonas is a political division of the Loreto Region of Peru. ... The term indigenous peoples has no universal, standard or fixed definition, but can be used about any ethnic group who inhabit the geographic region with which they have the earliest historical connection. ... “Hunter” redirects here. ... A rainforest is a forested biome with high annual rainfall. ... A dichromat is an organism for which the perceptual effect of any arbitrarily chosen light from its visible spectrum can be matched by a mixture of no more than two different pure spectral lights. ... Color blindness in humans is the inability to perceive differences between some or all colors that other people can distinguish. ...

Different breeds of dogs have different eye shapes and dimensions, and they also have different retina configurations.^[10] Dogs with long noses have a "visual streak" which runs across the width of the retina and gives them a very wide field of excellent vision, while those with short noses have an "area centralis" -- a central patch with up to three times the density of nerve endings as the visual streak -- giving them detailed sight much more like a human's. Human eye cross-sectional view. ...

Some breeds, particularly the best sighthounds, have a field of vision up to 270° (compared to 180° for humans), although broad-headed breeds with short noses have a much narrower field of vision, as low as 180°.^[8][9] The Whippet shows the characteristic long legs, deep chest, and narrow waist of a sighthound. ...

Hearing

This Collie/Saluki crossbreed angles her ears to find the source of a sound.

Dogs detect sounds as low as the 16 to 20Hz frequency range (compared to 20 to 70 Hz for humans) and above 45 kHz^[11] (compared to 13 to 20 kHz for humans),^[9] and in addition have a degree of ear mobility that helps them to rapidly pinpoint the exact location of a sound. Eighteen or more muscles can tilt, rotate and raise or lower a dog's ear. Additionally, a dog can identify a sound's location much faster than a human can, as well as hear sounds up to four times the distance that humans are able to. Those with more natural ear shapes, like those of wild canids like the fox, generally hear better than those with the floppier ears of many domesticated species. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1932x1446, 530 KB) Summary Penny, c. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1932x1446, 530 KB) Summary Penny, c. ... A Rough Collie Collie refers to various breeds of herding dog originating primarily in Scotland. ... The Saluki is a breed of dog that is a member of the sighthound family, that is, hounds that hunt by sight rather than scent. ... The hertz (symbol: Hz) is the SI unit of frequency. ...

Smell

Dogs have nearly 220 million smell-sensitive cells over an area about the size of a pocket handkerchief (compared to 5 million over an area the size of a postage stamp for humans). Some breeds have been selectively bred for excellence in detecting scents, even compared to their canine brethren. What information a dog actually detects when he is scenting is not perfectly understood; although once a matter of debate, it now seems to be well established that dogs can distinguish two different types of scents when trailing, an air scent from some person or thing that has recently passed by, as well as a ground scent that remains detectable for a much longer period. The characteristics and behavior of these two types of scent trail would seem, after some thought, to be quite different, the air scent being intermittent but perhaps less obscured by competing scents, whereas the ground scent would be relatively permanent with respect to careful and repetitive search by the dog, but would seem to be much more contaminated with other scents. In any event, it is established by those who train tracking dogs that it is impossible to teach the dog how to track any better than it does naturally; the object instead is to motivate it properly, and teach it to maintain focus on a single track and ignore any others that might otherwise seem of greater interest to an untrained dog. An intensive search for a scent, for instance searching a ship for contraband, can actually be very fatiguing for a dog, and the dog must be motivated to continue this hard work for a long period of time. Raymond W. Kelly is seen here wearing a handkerchief in his left-breast pocket. ... A selection of Hong Kong postage stamps A postage stamp is evidence of pre-paying a fee for postal services. ...

Coat Color

Domestic dogs often display the remnants of countershading, a common natural camouflage pattern. The general theory of countershading is that an animal that is lit from above will appear lighter on its upper half and darker on its lower half where it will usually be in its own shade. This is a pattern that predators can learn to watch for. A countershaded animal will have dark coloring on its upper surfaces and light coloring below. This reduces the general visibility of the animal. One reminder of this pattern is that many breeds will have the occasional "blaze", stripe, or "star" of white fur on their undersides.

Sprint Metabolism

Dogs can generate large amounts of energy for a short period of time. This setup is useful for hunting and combat. An example of this is that almost any dog, even one that is slow & lazy, can outsprint any human. However, almost any human can catch up with any dog in a marathon run, or other activity where endurance is needed.

A dogs heart and lungs are oversized relative to its body and its everyday walking around needs. A dog will also have relatively more red blood cells than a person. Most of the time the dog will keep the extra red blood cells stored in its spleen. When the animal enters into a situation where its full metabolism is required, such as play, catching game, or fighting other dogs, the extra cells are released into the bloodstream. The "oversized" heart and lungs will now be running at full capacity and the animal will have an enhanced ability to engage in aerobic activities. This activity will produce internal heating. Dogs, being covered in fur, are limited in their ability to shed heat. After a short time the animal must either cease its athletic activity or risk harming itself from overheating. One can easily observe this pattern of intense activity followed by rest periods in puppies. During the rest phase the spleen collects red blood cells and the animal may pant to cool down.

Working, utility and assistance dogs

Main article: Working dog

There are several types of working dogs: This working dog is a border collie mix. ...

• Assistance dogs which help the seeing and hearing-impaired. Others are trained to help those with epilepsy and psychiatric disorders, by detecting the onset of the condition so they can seek help. The typical assistance dog is a sociable breed such as a Labrador Retriever.
• The detection dog, which is a dog trained to and works at using its senses (almost always the sense of smell) to detect substances such as explosives or illegal drugs.
• Guard dogs trained to protect property. These are commonly Doberman Pinschers, German Shepherds and Rottweilers or mixes of these breeds.
• Herding dogs trained to protect livestock in the range against predators. Sheepdogs are a common breed.
• Hunting dogs that search for and retrieve game. Pointers and retrievers are typical hunting breeds.
• Police dogs, typically German Shepherds, are trained to assist law enforcement officers.
• Rescue dogs that search for missing humans. The archetypal breeds are the St. Bernard and the Bloodhound, although any dog with a good sense of smell can be trained to perform this task.
• Therapy dogs, with friendly and gentle temperaments, trained to provide comfort and affection to hospitalized and institutionalized patients.
• The war dog, used by the military to detect mines and enemy soldiers.

Newfoundland dogs are sometimes used as therapy dogs.

An assistance dog is a dog trained to help a person with a disability. ... The Labrador Retriever (Labrador or Lab for short), is one of several kinds of retriever, and is the most popular breed of dog (by registered ownership) in both the United States and the United Kingdom. ... A detection dog getting ready to search cars for drugs. ... Retail selling Street selling is the bottom of the chain and can be accomplished through purchasing from prostitutes, through cloaked retail stores or refuse houses for users in the act located in red-light districts which often also deal in paraphernalia, dealers marketing merriment at night clubs and other events... A guard dog or watch dog is a dog employed to guard against, or watch for, unwanted or unexpected animals or people. ... The Doberman Pinscher (alternatively spelled Dobermann in many countries) or Doberman is a breed of domestic dog. ... Country of origin Germany Classification Breed standards (external links) FCI, AKC, ANKC, CKC KC(UK), NZKC, UKC The German Shepherd Dog (known also as the Alsatian or Schäfer(hund)) is an intelligent breed of dog. ... This article is about the dog breed. ... A herding dog is a dog that either has been trained in herding or that is a member of a breed developed originally for herding. ... A Sheep dog is a type of domestic dog whose original purpose was to herd or guard sheep. ... A hunting dog refers to any dog who assists humans in hunting, or whose breed was originally developed to do so. ... Belgian Malinois as K-9 unit A police dog is a dog that is trained specifically to assist police and similar law-enforcement personnel with their work. ... Rescue dog has various meanings: A large dog that has been trained to physically rescue humans from disasters. ... Wikimedia Commons has media related to: St. ... For other uses, see Bloodhound (disambiguation). ... Therapy Dog refers to a dog trained to provide affection and comfort to people in hospitals, retirement homes, nursing homes, mental institutions, schools, and stressful situations such as disaster areas. ... A war dog is a dog trained for war. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 467 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (495 × 635 pixel, file size: 28 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) A puppy playing dress up! I, the creator of this work, hereby release it into the public domain. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 467 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (495 × 635 pixel, file size: 28 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) A puppy playing dress up! I, the creator of this work, hereby release it into the public domain. ...

Show and sport (competition) dogs

An English Springer Spaniel during a show in a country where docking is illegal

Main article: Show dog

See also: Dog sport

Owners of dogs often enter them in competitions, whether show (breed conformation shows) or sports, including dog racing & dog sledding. The winners garner much prestige and prize money. These dogs are often bred specifically for competition, which may not be entirely beneficial for the breeds due to the magnification of hereditary defects. Download high resolution version (800x607, 56 KB)Photograph by Jurriaan Schulman copyright Jurriaan Schulman. ... Download high resolution version (800x607, 56 KB)Photograph by Jurriaan Schulman copyright Jurriaan Schulman. ... The English Springer Spaniel is a gun dog traditionally used for flushing and retrieving game. ... Docking is used as a term for the intentional removal of part of an animals tail or ears. ... An American Cocker Spaniel show dog with its ears wrapped in preparation for showing A show dog is a purebred dog that is displayed at conformation dog shows to determine how well it conforms to established breed standards. ... Dog sports are activities that involve dogs. ...

• Dog agility is a sport in which dogs complete a timed obstacle course.
• Dogsled racing is a winter sport where a team of dogs, usually Huskies or Malamutes, pull a sled and driver (called a musher). The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race is perhaps the most famous of these races. Dog sledding is an ancient form of transportation and still a very effective way of moving freight across this type of terrain.
• Dog racing, almost always Greyhounds, involves dogs racing at betting tracks in a sport not unlike horseracing, reaching speeds of 40 miles per hour. Elsewhere, Dachshunds are often raced, as a humorous sidelight in charity events.
• Dog fighting and dog baiting are blood sports involving dogs. They are illegal in most jurisdictions, but are still occasionally performed underground.
• The show dog, purebreds entered in conformation dog shows and evaluated by how closely they match the ideal characteristics of the breed. The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is one of the most famous of this type of competition.

Dog agility is a sport in which a handler directs a dog through an obstacle course in a race for both time and accuracy. ... Dogsled racing is a winter dog sport involving the timed competition of teams of sleddogs that pull a sled, on the runners of which the dog driver or musher stands. ... Husky is a general term for several breeds of dogs used as sled dogs. ... Breed standards (external links) FCI, AKC, ANKC, CKC KC(UK), NZKC, UKC The Alaskan Malamute is a large northern dog breed originally developed for use as a sleddog. ... A team of six white, husky-type dogs Mushing also means playing on a MUSH. Mushing also can be used to describe the kneading behavior of domestic cats when they are content or are preparing to settle for a nap. ... For the current race, see 2007 Iditarod The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, usually called the Iditarod, is an annual dog sled race in Alaska, where mushers and teams of dogs cover about 1,150 miles (1,852 km) in eight to fifteen days. ... Dog sled A dog sled (or dogsled) is a sled pulled by one or more dogs used to travel over ice and through snow. ... Several dogs prior to a race Dog racing is both a gambling event as well as a fund-raising event, depending on the breed and location. ... This article is about the breed of dog; for other meanings of Greyhound, see Greyhound (disambiguation). ... Country of origin Germany Classification Breed standards (external links) The Dachshund is a short-legged, elongated dog breed of the hound family. ... Dog fighting is a fight between game dogs. ... Contemporary picture of Bull-baiting Bait or Baiting is the act to worry or torment a chained or confined animal by setting dogs upon it for sport. ... This article is about the sport; for the Jean-Claude Van Damme movie, see Bloodsport (movie). ... An American Cocker Spaniel show dog with its ears wrapped in preparation for showing A show dog is a purebred dog that is displayed at conformation dog shows to determine how well it conforms to established breed standards. ... The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is a two-day benched conformation show that takes place at Madison Square Garden in New York City every year. ...

Diet

At present, there is some debate as to whether domestic dogs should be classified as omnivores or carnivores, by diet. The classification in the Order Carnivora does not necessarily mean that a dog's diet must be restricted to meat; unlike an obligate carnivore, such as the cat family with its shorter small intestine, a dog is dependent on neither meat-specific protein nor a very high level of protein in order to fulfill its basic dietary requirements. Dogs are able to healthily digest a variety of foods including vegetables and grains, and in fact dogs can consume a large proportion of these in their diet. Wild canines not only eat available plants to obtain essential amino acids, but also obtain nutrients from vegetable matter from the stomach and intestinal contents of their herbivorous prey, which they usually consume. Domestic dogs can survive healthily on a reasonable and carefully designed vegetarian diet, particularly if eggs and milk products are included. Some sources suggest that a dog fed on a strict vegetarian diet may develop dilated cardiomyopathy since it lacks L-carnitine,^[12] however, maintaining a balanced diet is also a factor since L-carnitine is found naturally in many nuts, seeds, beans, vegetables, fruits and whole grains. In the wild, dogs can survive on a vegetarian diet when animal prey is not available. However it has been noted, both by observation of extremely stressful conditions such as the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race and by scientific studies of similar conditions, that high-protein (approximately 40%) diets including meat help prevent damage to muscle tissue. (This research is also true for some other mammals.) This level of protein corresponds to the percentage of protein found in the wild dog's diet when prey is abundant; higher levels of protein seem to confer no added benefit. Omnivores are organisms that consume both plants and animals. ... This article deals with meat-eating animals. ... Families 17, See classification The diverse order Carnivora (IPA: or IPA: ; from Latin carō (stem carn-) flesh, + vorāre to devour) includes over 260 placental mammals. ... Mortal Kombat character, see Meat (Mortal Kombat). ... Binomial name Felis catus Linnaeus, 1758 Synonyms Felis lybica invalid junior synonym The cat (or domestic cat, house cat) is a small carnivorous mammal. ... In biology the small intestine is the part of the gastrointestinal tract (gut) between the stomach and the large intestine. ... A plate of vegetables Vegetable is a culinary term which generally refers to an edible part of a plant. ... This article is about cereals in general. ... An essential amino acid or indispensable amino acid, is an amino acid that cannot be synthesized de novo by the organism (usually referring to humans), and therefore must be supplied in the diet. ... In zoology, an herbivore is an animal that is adapted to eat primarily plants (rather than meat). ... For animals adapted to eat primarily plants, sometimes referred to as vegetarian animals, see Herbivore. ... An egg is a body consisting of an ovum surrounded by layers of membranes and an outer casing of some type, which purpose is to nourishes and protect a developing embryo. ... A glass of cows milk. ... The logo of the worlds first Vegan Society, registered in 1944 [2] Veganism is a philosophy and lifestyle which seeks to exclude — as far as is possible and practical — all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose; and by extension, promotes... Dilated cardiomyopathy or DCM (also known as congestive cardiomyopathy), is a disease of the myocardium (the muscle of the heart) in which a portion of the myocardium is dilated, often without any obvious cause. ... Categories: Amino acids | Biochemistry stubs ... Categories: Amino acids | Biochemistry stubs ... Hazelnuts from the Common Hazel Chestnut A nut can be either a seed or a fruit. ... A ripe red jalapeño cut open to show the seeds For other uses, see Seed (disambiguation). ... Green beans Bean is a common name for large plant seeds of several genera of Fabaceae (formerly Leguminosae) used for food or feed. ... A plate of vegetables Vegetable is a culinary term which generally refers to an edible part of a plant. ... For other uses, see Fruit (disambiguation). ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... A top-down view of skeletal muscle Muscle (from Latin musculus little mouse [1]) is contractile tissue of the body and is derived from the mesodermal layer of embryonic germ cells. ...

Dogs frequently eat grass, which is a harmless activity. Explanations abound, but rationales such as that it neutralizes acid, or that eating grass might make the dog vomit, so dogs eat grass to remove unwanted substances from their stomachs, are at best educated guesses. Dogs do vomit more readily than humans, as part of their typical feeding behavior of gulping down food then regurgitating indigestible bones, fur, etc. This behavior is typical of pack feeding in the wild, where the most important thing is to get as much of the kill as possible before others consume it all. Individual domestic dogs, however, may be very "picky" eaters, in the absence of this evolutionary pressure. Natural vegetation dominated by grasses Grass is a common word that generally describes a monocotyledonous green plant in the family Poaceae. ... ACID (Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation, Durability) is a set of properties that guarantee that database transactions are processed reliably. ... Vomiting (or emesis) is the forceful expulsion of the contents of ones stomach through the mouth. ... In anatomy, the stomach is a bean-shaped hollow muscular organ of the gastrointestinal tract involved in the second phase of digestion, following mastication. ...

Dangerous substances

Some foods commonly enjoyed by humans are dangerous to dogs, including chocolate (Theobromine poisoning), onions, grapes and raisins,^[13] some types of gum, certain sweeteners^[14] and Macadamia nuts. It is currently believed that the only dangerous substance in chocolate is cocoa, meaning that forms of chocolate without this ingredient, such as white chocolate may become re-evaluated for their safety in future. Chocolate most commonly comes in dark, milk, and white varieties, with cocoa solids contributing to the brown coloration. ... Theobromine poisoning or chocolate poisoning is an adverse reaction to the alkaloid theobromine, found in chocolate, tea, cola beverages, and some other foods. ... Binomial name Allium cepa L. Percentages are relative to US recommendations for adults. ... It has been suggested that Veraison be merged into this article or section. ... Raisins Percentages are relative to US recommendations for adults. ... Chewing gum Chewing gum is a type of confectionery which is designed to be chewed rather than swallowed. ... Species Macadamia integrifolia Macadamia tetraphylla The macadamia nut is the fruit of a tree native to the east coast of Australia. ... Cocoa beans in a cacao pod Cocoa is the dried and partially fermented fatty seed of the cacao tree from which chocolate is made. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ...

The acute danger from grapes and raisins has been uncovered only since about 2000, and made public slowly since then. At present the cause is not known. Whatever the reason, since only small quantities are necessary to induce acute renal failure, dogs should not be fed grapes or raisins, and sultanas and currants should likely be withheld as well. Grape and raisin toxicity in the dog is a potential health threat to dogs that have eaten grapes or raisins. ... Renal failure is the condition in which the kidneys fail to function properly. ... The sultana is a type of white, seedless grape of Turkish or Persian origin, as well as a type of raisin made from it; such sultana raisins are often called simply sultanas or They are commonly used in South Asian cooking, where they are called These are typically larger than... A currant can refer to Redcurrants and blackcurrants, berries of the genus Ribes. ...

Cooked bones should never be given to dogs, as the heat changes the chemical and physical properties so that they cannot be chewed properly, splintering into jagged shards, and resist digestion. Grays Anatomy illustration of a human femur. ...

Human medications should not be given to a dog as a substitute for their regular medication as some can be especially toxic, especially paracetamol/acetaminophen (Tylenol). Alcoholic beverages pose much of the same hazards to dogs as they do to humans. Toxic redirects here, but this is also the name of a song by Britney Spears; see Toxic (song) Look up toxic and toxicity in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Paracetamol (INN) (IPA: ) or acetaminophen (USAN), is a common analgesic and antipyretic drug that is used for the relief of fever, headaches, and other minor aches and pains. ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ...

Dogs may also find some poisons attractive, including antifreeze, snail bait, insect bait, and rodent poisons. Antifreeze may be one of the most insidious of poisons to dogs because of its sweet taste and because a dog may walk upon or lie down upon a spill of it or its residue and then lick it off. Dogs must be kept strictly away from antifreeze and not allowed access to any place that has had a spill of it that has not been completely removed. Antifreeze is used in gasoline and diesel engines. ... The name snail applies to most members of the molluscan class Gastropoda that have coiled shells. ... Orders See taxonomy Insects (Class Insecta) are a major group of arthropods and the most diverse group of animals on the Earth, with over a million described species—more than all other animal groups combined. ... Suborders Sciuromorpha Castorimorpha Myomorpha Anomaluromorpha Hystricomorpha Rodentia is an order of mammals also known as rodents. ... Antifreeze is used in gasoline and diesel engines. ...

Plants such as caladium, dieffenbachia and philodendron will cause throat irritations that will burn the throat going down as well as coming up. Hops are particularly dangerous and even small quantities can lead to malignant hyperthermia.^[15] Species See text. ... Species See text Dieffenbachia is a genus of tropical plants in the Family Araceae noted for their patterned leaves. ... {{Taxobox | color = lightgreen | name = Philodendrons | image = Philodendron01. ... Look up Throat in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Hop umbel in a Hallertau hopgarden Hops are a flower used primarily as a flavouring and stability agent in beer, as well as in herbal medicine. ... Malignant hyperthermia (MH or MHS for malignant hyperthermia syndrome, or malignant hyperpyrexia due to anesthesia) is a life-threatening condition resulting from a genetic sensitivity of skeletal muscles to volatile anaesthetics and depolarizing neuromuscular blocking drugs that occurs during or after anaesthesia. ...

Amaryllis, daffodil, english ivy, iris, and tulip (especially the bulbs) cause gastric irritation and sometimes central nervous system excitement followed by coma, and, in severe cases, even death. Binomial name Amaryllis belladonna L. Amaryllis is a monotypic genus of plant containing one species, the Belladonna Lily (Amaryllis belladonna), a native of South Africa. ... Species ????? Daffodils are a group of large flowered members of the genus Narcissus. ... English Ivy, (hedera helix), is an extremely invasive species of ivy native to England, but now has taken root in many places such as the U.S., often wiping out native grasses and undergrowth. ... Species See text Iris (Chinese:鳶尾花) is a genus of between 200-300 species of flowering plants with showy flowers which takes its name from the Greek word for a rainbow, referring to the wide variety of flower colours found among the many species. ... Species See text Tulip (Tulipa) is a genus of about 100 species of flowering plants in the family Liliaceae. ... In anatomy, the stomach (in ancient Greek στομάχι) is an organ in the alimentary canal used to digest food. ... A diagram showing the CNS: 1. ... In medicine, a coma (from the Greek koma, meaning deep sleep) is a profound state of unconsciousness. ...

Ingesting foxglove, lily of the valley, larkspur and oleander can be life threatening because the cardiovascular system is affected. Equally life threatening is the yew which affects the nervous system. If any of these plants are ingested, get the dog to a veterinarian immediately. Species Digitalis ferruginea Digitalis grandiflora Digitalis lanata Digitalis lutea Digitalis obscura Digitalis purpurea Digitalis is a genus of about 20 species of herbaceous biennials, perennials and shrubs in the foxglove family Scrophulariaceae. ... Binomial name Convallaria majalis Lily of the valley is a flowering plant of the Convallaria genus. ... Species Delphinium glaucum Delphinium consolida Delphinium bakeri Others Larkspur (Delphinium glaucum) is a tall (4 to 6 foot high), robust plant. ... Binomial name Nerium oleander L. Oleander (Nerium oleander), is an evergreen shrub or small tree in the dogbane family Apocynaceae. ... The circulatory system or cardiovascular system is the organ system which circulates blood around the body of most animals. ... Species Taxus baccata - European Yew Taxus brevifolia - Pacific Yew Taxus canadensis - Canadian Yew Taxus chinensis - Chinese Yew Taxus cuspidata - Japanese Yew Taxus floridana - Florida Yew Taxus globosa - Mexican Yew Taxus sumatrana - Sumatran Yew Taxus wallichiana - Himalayan Yew Yews are small coniferous trees or shrubs in the genus Taxus in the...

Many household cleaners such as ammonia, bleach, disinfectants, drain cleaner, soaps, detergents, and other cleaners, mothballs and matches are dangerous to dogs, as are cosmetics such as deodorants, hair coloring, nail polish and remover, home permanent lotion, and suntan lotion. Ammonia is a compound with the formula NH3. ... Commercial chlorine bleach To Bleach something, is to remove or lighten its color, sometimes as a preliminary step in the process of dyeing; a bleach is a chemical that produces these effects, often via oxidation. ... Disinfection The destruction of pathogenic and other kinds of microorganisms by physical or chemical means Disinfectants are chemical substances used to kill viruses and microbes (germs), such as bacteria and fungi. ... Drain cleaner is a chemical used to dissolve clogs to unblock pipes, such as the drainpipes of sinks, bathtubs, toilets, and showers. ... Handmade soap Soap is a surfactant used in conjunction with water for washing and cleaning. ... Laundry detergents are just only one of many possibilities of use of the detergents Detergent is a compound, or a mixture of compounds, intended to assist cleaning. ... Mothballs are small balls of chemical pesticide and deodorant used when storing clothing and other articles susceptible to damage from mold or moth larvae. ... Household safety matches burning match A match is a simple and convenient means of producing fire under controlled circumstances and on demand. ... Roll-on deodorant Stick deodorant Deodorants are substances applied to the body, most frequently the armpits, to reduce the body odor caused by the bacterial breakdown of perspiration. ... This article or section is not written in the formal tone expected of an encyclopedia article. ... Pink nail polish. ... Turn of the century advertisement for Nesslers permanent wave machine. ... Sunscreen or sunblock (also known as suntan lotion) is a lotion that blocks ultraviolet radiation from the sun, and which reduces sunburn and other damage to the skin, leading to a lower risk of skin cancer. ...

Zinc toxicity, mostly in the form of the ingestion of US pennies minted after 1982, is commonly fatal in dogs where it causes a severe hemolytic anemia.^[16] General Name, Symbol, Number zinc, Zn, 30 Chemical series transition metals Group, Period, Block 12, 4, d Appearance bluish pale gray Standard atomic weight 65. ... The United States one-cent coin, commonly called a penny, is a unit of currency equaling one-hundredth of a United States dollar. ... Hemolytic anemia is anemia due to hemolysis, the