Dog
Canis lupus familiaris
First domesticated in South-East Asia!
Dog Scientific Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammalia
- Order
- Carnivora
- Family
- Canidae
- Genus
- Canis
- Scientific Name
- Canis lupus familiaris
Dog Conservation Status
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.
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
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!
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
- David Burnie, Dorling Kindersley (2011) Animal, The Definitive Visual Guide To The World's Wildlife
- Tom Jackson, Lorenz Books (2007) The World Encyclopedia Of Animals
- David Burnie, Kingfisher (2011) The Kingfisher Animal Encyclopedia
- Richard Mackay, University of California Press (2009) The Atlas Of Endangered Species
- David Burnie, Dorling Kindersley (2008) Illustrated Encyclopedia Of Animals
- Dorling Kindersley (2006) Dorling Kindersley Encyclopedia Of Animals
- David W. Macdonald, Oxford University Press (2010) The Encyclopedia Of Mammals
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