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

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

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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 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

Dog