Dogs by Ita Rodríguez

Have hair Placental birth Milk Classification Dogs are mammals Canis lupus familiaris Subspecies of the gray wolf

Origin trainability, playfulness, and Domestic dogs inherited complex behaviors from their wolf ancestors: trainability, playfulness, and ability to fit into human households and social situations. Domestication may have occurred initially in separate areas, particularly Siberia and Europe. It is thought domestication of our current lineage of dog occurred sometime as early as 15,000 years ago and arguably as late as 8500 years ago.

Origin In 2008, scientists found, in an excavation at Goyet Cave in Belgium, a toothy canine that existed 31,700 years ago and ate a diet of horse, musk ox and reindeer.

Origin Remains of smaller dogs in the Middle East, including the earliest burial of a human being with a domestic dog, have been dated to around 10,000 to 12,000 years ago. There is a lot of evidence of dogs throughout Europe and Asia around this period. The oldest remains of a domesticated dog in the Americas were found in Texas and have been dated to about 9,400 years ago.

Biology Senses Vision: dogs are dichromats so they can see blue and yellow, but have difficulty to differentiating red and green

Biology Senses Smell: dogs have an olfactory sense ranging from one hundred thousand to one million times more sensitive than a human's. Some dog breeds, such as bloodhounds, the olfactory sense may be up to 100 million times greater than a human's. The wet nose, or rhinarium, is essential for determining the direction of the air current containing the smell.

Biology Senses Hearing: dogs can detect sounds far beyond the upper limit of the human auditory spectrum. Dogs have ear mobility, which allows them to rapidly pinpoint the exact location of a sound. A dog can identify a sound's location much faster than a human can, as well as hear sounds at four times the distance.

Biology Physical Characteristics Internal organs

Biology Physical Characteristics Two variety of coats: "double" being common with dogs (as well as wolves): colder climates, made up of a coarse guard hair and a soft down hair "single" with the topcoat only Domestic dogs often display countershading (natural camouflage pattern). countershaded animals have dark coloring on its upper surfaces and light coloring below

Biology Physical Characteristics many different shapes for dog Tails: many different shapes for dog tails: straight, straight up, sickle, curled, or cork-screw primary functions is to communicate emotional state hunting dogshave the tail is docked to avoid injuries some breeds, such as the Braque du Bourbonnais, puppies can be born with a short tail or no tail at all

Biology Health Dogs are susceptible to various diseases, ailments, and poisons, some of which can affect humans. To defend against many common diseases, dogs are often vaccinated. Many plants that are poisonous to dogs, such as poinsettias, begonia and aloe vera.

Biology Health Some dogs are prone to certain genetic diseases. elbow or hip dysplasia, blindness, deafness, cleft palate, and trick knees Dogs are also susceptible to parasites such as fleas, ticks, and mites, as well as hookworm, tapeworm, roundworm, and heartworm. Dogs are highly susceptible to theobromine poisoning, typically from ingestion of chocolate. Dogs are also vulnerable to some of the same health conditions as humans, including diabetes, dental and heart disease, epilepsy, cancer, hypothyroidism, and arthritis.

Biology Diet carnivores or omnivores dogs can adapt to a wide-ranging diet, and are not dependent on meat-specific protein nor a very high level of protein in order to fulfill their basic dietary requirements dogs will digest a variety of foods, including vegetables and grains compared to their wolf ancestors, dogs have adaptations in genes involved in starch digestion that contribute to an increased ability to thrive on a starch-rich diet

Biology Mortality The lifespan of dogs varies widely among breeds, but most range from 10 to 13 years. The breed with the shortest lifespan is the Dogue de Bordeaux which lives about 5.2 years. The longest-lived breeds, including Toy Poodles, Japanese Spitz, Border Terriers, and Tibetan Spaniels, have median longevities of 14 to 15 years. On 5 December 2011, Pusuke, the world's oldest living dog recognized by Guinness Book of World Records, died aged 26 years and 9 months. Crossbreed

Biology Breed and types All dogs are genetically very similar. Natural selection and selective breeding have reinforced certain characteristics in certain populations of dogs, giving rise to dog types and dog breeds. Dog types are broad categories based on function, genetics, or characteristics. Dog breeds are groups of animals that possess a set of inherited characteristics that distinguishes them from other animals within the same species. Purebred dogs of one breed are genetically distinguishable from purebred dogs of other breeds, but the means by which kennel clubs classify dogs is unsystematic.

The Hound Group Afghan Hound Basset hound Beagle Black and Tan Coon Hound Blood Hound Dashshund American Foxhound Grey Hound Norwegian Elkhound Greyhounds

The Hound Group The breed is intelligent, alert, friendly, and eager to please. They are used to follow game or criminals because of their great sense of smell. They make a great family dog.

The Sporting Dog Pointer German Shorthaired German Wirehaired German Wirehaired Pointer Pointer German Shorthaired German Wirehaired Labrador Retriever American Cocker Spaniel English Setter Brittany Irish Setter Springer Spaniel Welsh Springer Spaniel

The Sporting Dog The breed is intelligent, and have great hunting skills along with a great sense of smell. They are probably the first domesticated dog. They have great temperaments.

The Terrier Group Airedale Terrier Border Terrier Bull Terrier Airedale Terrior Airedale Terrier Border Terrier Bull Terrier Dandie Dinmont Terrier Fox Terrier Miniature Schnauzer Skye Terrier Welsh Terrier Parson Russell Terrier

The Terrier Group They are very charming and attractive dogs. They are friendly and very fond of children. These dogs make excellent companions. Miniature Bull Terrier

The Working Dog Alaska Malamute Boxer Doberman Pinscher Great Dane Great Pyrenees Standard Schnauzer Rottweiler Saint Bernard Samoyed Breed Siberian Husky Komandor Great Dane Doberman Pinscher

The Working Dog They are big, clean, and odorless. They are considered good-natured, loyal, and tolerant. They are mostly used as a watchdog, body guard, guide dog , or just as a companion. They are usually good with children. Komandor Delvin

The Herding Dog Collie German Shepherd Old English Sheepdog Shetland Sheepdog Welsh Corgi Welsh Corgi Sheetland Sheepdog

The Herding Dog They are kind, sensitive, intelligent, loyal, and easy to train. They make great family dogs or companions. They are outstanding herd dogs and used very often on farms. German Shepherd

The Toy Dog Chihuahua Yorkshire Terrier Perkingese Shintzu Manchester Terrier Pug Italian Greyhound Shintzu Chihuahua

The Toy Dog They are noted for being courageous, energetic, and very active. They require a lot of attention. They are suited very well for an apartment. They are considered good dogs if you have allergies. Yorkshire Terrier

Non-Sporting Dog Dalmation Bulldog Poodle Boston Terrier Lhasa Apso

Non-Sporting Dog They are noted for their gentle disposition. They get along well with children. They need lots of attention. They thrive on human companionship. Poodle

Differences from Wolves Physical characteristics Compared to equally sized wolves, dogs tend to have 20% smaller skulls, 30% smaller brains, as well as proportionately smaller teeth than other canid species. Dogs require fewer calories to function than wolves. The skin of domestic dogs tends to be thicker than that of wolves.

Differences from Wolves Behavioral differences Dogs tend to be poorer than wolves at observational learning, being more responsive to instrumental conditioning. Unlike wolves, the dominant alpha pairs of a feral dog pack do not force the other members to wait for their turn on a meal. Feral dogs are primarily scavengers, with studies showing that unlike their wild cousins, they have little impact on wildlife populations where they live.

Differences from Wolves Behavioral differences Domestic dogs can be monogamous. Some sources say that dogs differ from wolves and most other large canid species by the fact that they do not regurgitate food for their young, nor the young of other dogs in the same territory.

Differences from Wolves Trainability Dogs are easier to control than tame wolves, and are, in general, much more responsive to coercive techniques. Unlike tame wolves, dogs tend to respond more to voice than hand signals.

Biology Reproduction Sexual maturity begins around age six to twelve months for both males and females. Dogs bear their litters about 58 to 68 days after fertilization. An average litter consists of about six puppies.

Biology Reproduction Some dog breeds have acquired traits through selective breeding that interfere with reproduction. Male French Bulldogs, for instance, are incapable of mounting the female. For many dogs of this breed, the female must be artificially inseminated in order to reproduce. Each puppy will be contained in its own placental membrane which must be removed before the puppy can breath.

Biology Reproduction The first milk produced by the mother is called colostrom. It is very important that each puppy receives it. Helps fight infectious diseases.

Caring for Puppies Puppies should be handled as little as possible for the first 14 to 21 days. They need a lot of sleep. For the first few days, they need the warmth of their mother (temperature of about 85°F). Newborn puppies can neither see nor hear very well for 10 to 15 days following birth.

Caring for Puppies Their ears and eyelids are sealed. Puppies begin walking at about 2 weeks of age when their ears and eyes open. Puppies begin to wag their tails and bark at about three weeks of age. Puppies need foods higher in protein than adult dogs.

Feeding Dogs Dry foods are more economical. There is less water in dried foods, so dogs get more nutrition. The amount you feed a dog depends on its weight. Puppies have foods made for their particular needs.

Caring for Healthy Dogs Keep the dog's environment and toys clean. Their house should be warm in the winter and cool in the summer. They need plenty of exercise and water, as well as healthy foods. Dogs should have all their vaccines. Dogs should have routine visits to their vet. Dogs can transmit some diseases to humans, so keep an eye on him.

Grooming Dogs Grooming involves cleaning the hair, cleaning the teeth, removing trash and parasites, cutting nails and hair, and treating minor wounds. Dogs should have their coats brushed regularly. Bathing is not a routine part of maintaining the coat of a dog. Bathing should be done when the dog is especially dirty. Too much bathing can cause skin irritation.

Looking after a Dog's Well-being Sometimes people do not realize that what they are doing may not be in the best interest of their dogs. If you are unsure about how to take care of your dog, ask a professional like a vet or someone at a pet store. A safe and healthy dog is a happy dog.

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