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Dog

Canis lupus familiaris

Last updated: January 24, 2021
Verified by: AZ Animals Staff

First domesticated in South-East Asia!

Continue Reading after the facts...


Dog Scientific Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Carnivora
Family
Canidae
Genus
Canis
Scientific Name
Canis lupus familiaris

Dog Conservation Status

  • Not Listed

Dog Locations

  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Central-America
  • Eurasia
  • Europe
  • North-America
  • Oceania
  • South-America
Dog Locations

Dog Facts

Diet
Carnivore
Lifestyle
  • Solitary
Type
Mammal
Slogan
First domesticated in South-East Asia!

Dog Physical Characteristics

Skin Type
Hair
Top Speed
31 mph
Lifespan
15 years
Weight
30kg (65lbs)

Dog Images

Click through all of our Dog images in the gallery.

View all of the Dog images!

Dogs are thought to have been first domesticated in East Asia thousands of years ago. People primarily used dogs for guarding the hunters and areas of land.

Today’s domestic dog is actually a subspecies of the grey wolf, a type of dog that is feared by most humans. Many people today, in all countries around the world, keep dogs as household pets and many even regard their dog as a family member.

There are currently around 800 different species of domestic dog worldwide. Included are mountain dogs such as Saint Bernards or Huskies, and territorial guard dogs like the Neapolitan and Tibetan Mastiffs.

Dog Foot Facts

  • Dogs have soft pads on the bottom of their feet which help them to run quickly and quietly
  • Dogs have sharp, strong claws on their feet which allow them to grip when running and also helps them to dig.
  • Some dog species have dew claws on the sides of their feet which help the dog to balance when running, like the baby toes on humans.
  • The dew claws on a dog never really touch the ground but are often used to help the dog to lightly grip their prey.
  • The paws of a dog are around half the size of the paws of the wolf, as the dog is generally not as powerful as the wolf.

Dog Teeth Facts

  • Dogs have highly specialised teeth which allow them to both bite and tear meat apart.
  • The teeth of the dog are small than those of their wolf relatives as the dog has no need to be able to catch and kill such large prey.
  • The tongue of the dog is vital in heat regulation as moisture on the tongue cools instantly and the cooler air is then passed into the respiratory system.
  • Puppies have around 28 teeth but the average adult dog has 42 teeth which include 12 incisors, 4 canines, 16 premolars and 10 molars.
  • When a puppy is about four months old, they shed their baby teeth and grow their permanent adult teeth which are much stronger.

Dog Breeds

Italian Greyhound

The Italian Greyhound is a miniature dog with a big motor and personality!

Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen

A small dog with a big, lively personality.

Basset Fauve de Bretagne

A friendly and intelligent hunting dog that loves nothing more than to spend time with its owner.

Biewer Terrier

A toy terrier dog and is elegant and tri-colored.

Teddy Roosevelt Terrier

Often just called 'Teddies' by owners

Swedish Vallhund
Northern Inuit Dog
American Alsatian
Utonagan
Saarloos Wolfdog
Great Pyrenees
Tamaskan
British Timber
Canadian Eskimo Dog
Samoyed
Shiba Inu

Shiba Inus are one of six native dog breeds from Japan.

American Pit Bull Terrier

These dogs are very energetic and would be up for a game at any given point of time

American Staffordshire Terrier

Bred to be extremely friendly!

American Water Spaniel

Friendly and intelligent!

Anatolian Shepherd Dog

Guards it's master's flocks!

Appenzeller Dog

Herding dog by nature!

Australian Cattle Dog

High energy levels and active minds!

Australian Kelpie Dog

Friendly, intelligent and energetic!

Australian Shepherd

Sweet, faithful and affectionate!

Australian Terrier

Spirited, alert and courageous!

Bulldog

Friendly, loving and docile!

Basenji Dog

Alert, affectionate and energetic!

Basset Hound

Forget the training when not rewarded!

Bavarian Mountain Hound

Calm, quiet and poised!

Beagle

Have become popular family pets!

Bearded Collie

Weekly brushing is mandatory!

Bedlington Terrier

Highly active and intelligent dogs!

Bernese Mountain Dog

Very loyal, faithful and affectionate!

Bichon Frise

Gentle mannered, playful and affectionate!

Black Russian Terrier

Confident, calm and highly intelligent!

Bloodhound

Affectionate, gentle and even-tempered!

Blue Lacy Dog

Originated in Texas in the mid 1800s!

Bolognese Dog

From the northern Italian city of Bologna!

Border Collie

Highly intelligent and alert breed!

Border Terrier

Small, rough-coated breed of terrier!

Boston Terrier: Complete Pet Guide

Friendly, lovable and very strong!

Boxer Dog

Bright, energetic and playful!

Boykin Spaniel

Enthusiastic working dog!

Brazilian Terrier

Small body and tri-coloured coat!

Bull Terrier

Needs to be kept active!

Bullmastiff

Courageous, loyal and calm!

Chihuahua

Curious and devoted personality!

Cairn Terrier

Intelligent, lively and strong!

Carolina Dog

Wild dog breed discovered in the 1970s!

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Highly playful and affectionate!

Cesky Fousek

An affectionate hunting dog!

Chinese Crested Dog

A hairless breed of dog!

Chinook

A calm and friendly breed!

Chow Chow

Loyal and affectionate to it's family!

Dalmatian

Have an energetic and playful nature!

Deutsche Bracke

Has long drop ears and a long narrow tail!

Doberman Pinscher

A gentle, loyal and loving breed!

Dunker

A friendly and relaxed dog!

English Shepherd

Highly intelligent and independent!

English Cocker Spaniel

Intelligent yet stubborn by nature!

Estrela Mountain Dog

Very protective and stubborn!

Fox Terrier

First bred in the mid-19th century!

Irish Setter Complete Pet Guide

Can live for up to 16 years!

Jack Russell

Intelligent, athletic and fearless!

Labrador Retriever

Well-balanced, friendly and versatile!

Mastiff

Courageous, calm and affectionate!

Poodle

Intelligent, alert and active!

Pug

Fun and sociable, yet stubborn!

Yorkshire Terrier

Highly energetic and eager for adventure!

Mongrel

Has characteristics of two or more breeds!

Dog

First domesticated in South-East Asia!

Akita

Very clean, intelligent and loyal!

Airedale Terrier

Very intelligent, independent and strong-minded!

Akbash

Often used as a guard dog!

Alaskan Malamute

Often used as sled dogs!

Alpine Dachsbracke

Good companion and hard-working breed!

American Coonhound

Easygoing and people-friendly!

American Bulldog

Can jump up to 6ft high!

American Cocker Spaniel

Merry, outgoing, and eager to please!

American Eskimo Dog

The American Eskimo has splendid all white fur and an upturned tail

American Foxhound

Sweet, kind, loyal, and very loving!

Affenpinscher

First bred in 17th century Germany!

Ainu Dog

An innate sense of direction!

Afghan Hound

First used as a shepherd and hunter!

Pekingese

Thought to be over 2,000 years old!

Labradoodle

Friendly and energetic mix-breed!

Entlebucher Mountain Dog

Native to parts of the Swiss Alps!

Newfoundland

Introduced by Vikings more than 1,000 years ago!

Saint Bernard

Gentle, loyal and friendly!

Canaan Dog

Has a strong survival instinct!

Chesapeake Bay Retriever

Bright and happy disposition!

Clumber Spaniel

Has a thick, soft coat!

Collie

Gentle and devoted!

Curly Coated Retriever

A lively and fun-loving breed!

Dachshund

Fun and playful breed of small dog!

Dogo Argentino

Loyal and affectionate to their family!

Dogue De Bordeaux

Extremely loyal and devoted to it's master!

Drever

Uncommon outside of Europe!

English Springer Spaniel

Friendly and eager to please!

Epagneul Pont Audemer

Hard-working, gentle and affectionate!

Eskimo Dog

Takes pure delight in cold weather!

French Bulldog

French bulldogs are known to be very sensitive, harboring emotions that they love to express

Field Spaniel

A sociable and adaptable breed!

Finnish Spitz

Likes to bark a lot!

Flat Coat Retriever

A game retrieving gun-dog!

Golden Retriever Complete Pet Guide

Trusting, kind and gentle!

German Pinscher

Highly intelligent and fast learners!

German Shepherd Guide

Highly active and fearless dogs!

Great Dane

Large and imposing in appearance!

Giant Schnauzer

Large, powerful and dominant!

Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

Protective and gentle by nature!

Greenland Dog

Strong and speedy breed of dog!

Greyhound

Extremely fast and athletic!

Havanese

These are the only dogs that are native to Cuba

Harrier

Cheerful, tolerant and sweet-tempered!

Ibizan Hound

Intelligent, active and engaging by nature!

Irish WolfHound

Sweet-tempered, patient and thoughtful!

Japanese Chin

Alert, intelligent and independent!

Maltese

Originally bred in Europe!

Norfolk Terrier

Fearless but not aggressive!

Neapolitan Mastiff

Fearless and extremely protective of it's home!

Old English Sheepdog

Intelligent, sociable and playful!

Pointer

An independent, loyal and high energy breed!

Rottweiler

Strong, loyal and self-assured!

Shih Tzu

Can live for up to 15 years!

Siberian Husky

Is adequately warm in sub-zero temperatures!

Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Known for their loyalty to their family!

Tibetan Mastiff

Originally bred in the Himalayan mountains!

Welsh Corgi: The Complete Pet Guide

There are two distinct breeds!

West Highland Terrier

Most commonly white in colour!

Whippet

Quiet, gentle and restful dogs!

Tiffany

Eye colour intensifies with age!

View all 26 animals that start with D

Dog FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

Are Dogs herbivores, carnivores, or omnivores?

Dogs are Carnivores, meaning they eat other animals.

What Kingdom do Dogs belong to?

Dogs belong to the Kingdom Animalia.

What class do Dogs belong to?

Dogs belong to the class Mammalia.

What phylum to Dogs belong to?

Dogs belong to the phylum Chordata.

What family do Dogs belong to?

Dogs belong to the family Canidae.

What order do Dogs belong to?

Dogs belong to the order Carnivora.

What type of covering do Dogs have?

Dogs are covered in Hair.

What genus do Dogs belong to?

Dogs belong to the genus Canis.

What is an interesting fact about Dogs?

Dogs were first domesticated in Southeast Asia!

What is the scientific name for the Dog?

The scientific name for the Dog is Canis lupus familiaris.

Sources
  1. David Burnie, Dorling Kindersley (2011) Animal, The Definitive Visual Guide To The World's Wildlife
  2. Tom Jackson, Lorenz Books (2007) The World Encyclopedia Of Animals
  3. David Burnie, Kingfisher (2011) The Kingfisher Animal Encyclopedia
  4. Richard Mackay, University of California Press (2009) The Atlas Of Endangered Species
  5. David Burnie, Dorling Kindersley (2008) Illustrated Encyclopedia Of Animals
  6. Dorling Kindersley (2006) Dorling Kindersley Encyclopedia Of Animals
  7. David W. Macdonald, Oxford University Press (2010) The Encyclopedia Of Mammals

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