Portal:Dogs

Introduction The domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris when considered a subspecies of the wolf or Canis familiaris when considered a distinct species) is a member of the genus Canis (canines), which forms part of the wolf-like canids, and is the most widely abundant terrestrial carnivore. The dog and the extant gray wolf are sister taxa as modern wolves are not closely related to the wolves that were first domesticated, which implies that the direct ancestor of the dog is extinct. The dog was the first species to be domesticated and has been selectively bred over millennia for various behaviors, sensory capabilities, and physical attributes. Their long association with humans has led dogs to be uniquely attuned to human behavior and they are able to thrive on a starch-rich diet that would be inadequate for other canid species. Dogs vary widely in shape, size and colors. They perform many roles for humans, such as hunting, herding, pulling loads, protection, assisting police and military, companionship and, more recently, aiding disabled people and therapeutic roles. This influence on human society has given them the sobriquet of "man's best friend". Selected article A mixed-breed dog (also called a bastard, mutt (shortened from muttonhead), mongrel, tyke, mixed mutt, cur, or random-bred dog), is a dog that is a mixture of two or more breeds, or a descendant of feral or pariah dog populations. Except for extreme variations in size, dogs interbreed freely, mixed-breed dogs vary in size, shape, and color, making them hard to classify physically. Historically, all purebred dogs have been selected from a mixed-breed population. See Golden Retriever for an example. All possible body shapes, tongue color, ear types, and tail styles can appear in mixed breeds. Extremes in appearance, such as the flattened face of the English Bulldog or the extremely curled tail of the Pug, seldom survive even the first crossbreeding. Mixed breeds also tend to have a size between that of their parents, thus tending eventually toward the norm. It's important to note that all dog breeds are man-made creations. Dogs were traditionally bred for specific functions. Most existing dog breeds began as mixed breeds, either by random occurrence or by deliberate crosses of existing breeds. Selected image The American Eskimo Dog is a breed of companion dog originating in the United States (probably in New York City) in the twentieth century. It is derived from the German Spitz, the Finnish Spitz, and almost certainly the Pomeranian and Keeshond. The spitz family of Nordic dogs is one of the least altered by human husbandry and reflects most nearly the prototypical dog, from which stock all others have been derived. Archeology suggests that Neolithic dogs living with humans would today pass for spitzes. Types of Dogs Working dogs Working dogs are those who perform jobs for people, as distinguished from companion dogs. Working dogs are of many types. Main article - Category Hunting dogs Any dog or breed who assists humans in hunting. There are several categories of hunting dogs. Main article Hounds, including Sighthounds and Scent hounds Gundogs, including Pointers, Retrievers, and Spaniels Feists Terrier Curs Pastoral dogs Any dog or breed who assists humans with livestock. Livestock guardian dogs, Herding dogs Sheepdogs Guard dogs Dogs used to protect people or property. Sled dogs Dogs whose job is primarily pulling sleds. Main article - Category Companion dogs Dogs whose primary function is as a companion and friend. Many toy breeds. More groups Bulldogs Extinct dog breeds Fighting dogs Toy Dog breeds also can be grouped into similar types such as molossers, spitz types, pit bulls, or lurchers. Wikipedia Books: Dog Selected breed The Irish Setter, also known as the Red Setter, is a breed of gundog and family dog. The term Irish Setter is commonly used to encompass the Show-bred dog recognized by the AKC as well as the field-bred Red Setter recognized by the Field Dog Stud Book. It is friendly, active, and intelligent (if somewhat stubborn). Originally, the Irish Setter was bred for hunting, specifically for setting or pointing upland gamebirds. Famous Irish Setters include Big Red and King Timahoe, pet of Richard Nixon. Did you know... ...that the stray dogs Bummer and Lazarus (pictured) were so popular with the people of San Francisco in the 1860s that they were given special exemption from the leash laws? ...that Manuel Benito de Castro assumed the Presidency of Cundinamarca, with the condition that he would be allowed to leave Congress at a certain time to feed his dog? ...that the namesake for Hondo Dog Park in Hillsboro, Oregon, won an award for valor just weeks before being killed in the line of duty? ...that most of the dogs seen in the 2007 Thai film, Ma-Mha, were strays rescued from shelters and trained specifically for the film? ...that Adolf Hitler owned a German Shepherd named Blondi, and was so fond of her that he allowed her to sleep in his bedroom? ...that the most common breeds for use as guide dogs are Labrador and Golden Retrievers? ...that Ashley Whippet became the first disc dog on August 4, 1974? ...that Marie Antoinette supposedly walked to the guillotine with her pet Papillon under her arm? Dogs lists List of dog breeds List of dog types List of dog breeds by country List of most popular dog breeds List of dog diseases List of famous dogs List of fictional dogs List of dog sports List of United States Presidential pets List of Guard Dog Breeds Subcategories ▼ Dogs ► Dogs by country ► Dog breeding ► Dog breeds ► Deaths due to dog attacks ► Dog cell lines ► Dog equipment ► Fictional dogs ► Dog food brands ► Dog health ► Individual dogs ► Dog law ► Lists of dogs ► Dog meat ► Dog monuments ► Mythological dogs ► Dog nutrition ► Dog organizations ► Dogs as pets ► Dogs in popular culture ► Dog-related professions and professionals ► Robotic dogs ► Dog shows and showing ► Dog sports ► Dog training and behavior ► Dog types ► Wikipedia books on dogs ► Dog stubs Related portals Animals Biology Cats Science Get involved For editor resources and to collaborate with other editors on improving Wikipedia's Dogs-related articles, see WikiProject Dogs. Recognized content Featured articles Abuwtiyuw Australian Cattle Dog Beagle Beringian wolf Blue's Clues Brown Dog affair Checkers speech Dire wolf The Fox and the Hound (novel) Hare coursing Kitsune Lad, A Dog Laika Florence Nagle Yukon Quest Golden jackal Featured lists List of accolades received by Up Dickin Medal List of Best in Show winners of Crufts List of Best in Show winners of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show List of Yukon Quest competitors PDSA Gold Medal List of U.S. state dogs Good articles Alpine Spaniel American Cocker Spaniel American Water Spaniel Barry (dog) Bedlington Terrier Blue Picardy Spaniel Canidae Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Cestoda Clumber Spaniel Cocker Spaniel Coon hunting Coyote Charles Cruft (showman) Dandie Dinmont Terrier A Dog's Love Doge (meme) Dogmeat (Fallout) English Water Spaniel Fenrir Field Spaniel Red fox Fox Terrier French Spaniel Further Adventures of Lad Geri and Freki Giant Schnauzer Ginga Legend Weed Hypothyroidism Jack Russell Terrier Jack the Bulldog Judy (dog) King Charles Spaniel Labrador Retriever Lad, A Dog (film) Lassie (1954 TV series) The Last Dog on Earth Lucky and Squash Marquesan Dog Ruth Martin (Lassie) Miniature Schnauzer Mite Moustache (dog) A Night in Sickbay Norfolk Spaniel OR-7 Old Jock On the Internet, nobody knows you're a dog Pal (dog) Parson Russell Terrier Picardy Spaniel Polynesian Dog Pomeranian (dog) Potcake dog Pug Rescued by Rover Rob Roy (dog) Russian Spaniel Russkiy Toy Saluki Santa's Little Helper Scottish Terrier Sealyham Terrier Shiloh (Naylor novel) Snow Prince Snuppy Sussex Spaniel Tahitian Dog Tick Tweed Water Spaniel Wellard Welsh Corgi Welsh Springer Spaniel West Highland White Terrier Whippet White Dog (Gary novel) White Dog Wolf Wolf: The Journey Home Swift fox Featured pictures File:Coyote portrait.jpg File:Mexican Wolf 2 yfb-edit 1.jpg File:Mexican wolf lounging.jpg File:Pseudalopex culpaeus.jpg File:Viljo koirarannalla 18-edit2.jpg Former featured pictures File:American Eskimo Dog.jpg Things you can do Here are some tasks awaiting attention: Article requests : Australian Shepherd Club of America, Cogan's cystic dystrophy, Coonhound event, Homeward Bound: TV series, More... Cleanup : Cane Corso, Caucasian Ovcharka, Central Asia Shepherd Dog, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Dalmatian (dog), Sage Koochee, Schutzhund, Tibetan Mastiff Copyedit : White Schnauzer Merge : German Coolies Stubs : Brazilian Terrier, Dachshund racing, Hound, Kangaroo Dog, Novelty show, Obedience school, Rug (animal covering), Take Your Dog to Work Day, Weight pulling, More stubs... Verify : Akita Inu, Bakharwal Dog, Bedlington Terrier, Belgian Shepherd Dog, Bisben, Celtic Hounds, Chinese Crested Dog, Combai, Drentsche Patrijshond, Field Spaniel, Hungarian Vizsla, Japanese Spitz, Kintamani (dog), Korea Jindo Dog, Olde English Bulldogge, Peruvian Hairless Dog, More... Wikify : Austrian black and tan hound, Berger Blanc Suisse, French Brittany (dog) Other : Tag and assess "dog" articles with {{WikiProject Dogs}} banner. See also Dog breeds WikiProject to do list. 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