Cat

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article is about the cat species that is commonly kept as a pet. For the cat
family, see Felidae. For other uses, see Cat (disambiguation) and Cats
(disambiguation).
For technical reasons, "Cat #1" redirects here. For that album, see Cat 1 (album).
Domestic cat[1]
Cat poster 1.jpg
Various types of domestic cat
Conservation status
Domesticated
Scientific classification e
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Suborder: Feliformia
Family: Felidae
Genus: Felis
Species: F. silvestris
Subspecies: F. s. catus
Trinomial name
Felis silvestris catus
Linnaeus, 1758[2]
Synonyms
Felis catus (original combination)[3]
Felis catus domestica (invalid junior synonym)[4]

The domestic cat[1][5] (Felis silvestris catus or Felis catus) is a small,

typically furry, carnivorous mammal. They are often called house cats[6] when kept
as indoor pets or simply cats when there is no need to distinguish them from other
felids and felines. They are often valued by humans for companionship and for their
ability to hunt vermin. There are more than seventy cat breeds recognized by
various cat registries.

Cats are similar in anatomy to the other felids, with a strong flexible body, quick
reflexes, sharp retractable claws, and teeth adapted to killing small prey. Cat
senses fit a crepuscular and predatory ecological niche. Cats can hear sounds too
faint or too high in frequency for human ears, such as those made by mice and other
small animals. They can see in near darkness. Like most other mammals, cats have
poorer color vision and a better sense of smell than humans. Cats, despite being
solitary hunters, are a social species and cat communication includes the use of a
variety of vocalizations (mewing, purring, trilling, hissing, growling, and
grunting), as well as cat pheromones and types of cat-specific body language.[7]

Cats have a high breeding rate.[8] Under controlled breeding, they can be bred and
shown as registered pedigree pets, a hobby known as cat fancy. Failure to control
the breeding of pet cats by neutering, as well as the abandonment of former
household pets, has resulted in large numbers of feral cats worldwide, requiring
population control.[9] In certain areas outside cats' native range, this has
contributed, along with habitat destruction and other factors, to the extinction of
many bird species. Cats have been known to extirpate a bird species within specific
regions and may have contributed to the extinction of isolated island populations.
[10] Cats are thought to be primarily responsible for the extinction of 33 species
of birds,[better source needed] and the presence of feral and free-ranging cats
makes some otherwise suitable locations unsuitable for attempted species
reintroduction.[11]Cat
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about the cat species that is commonly kept as a pet. For the cat
family, see Felidae. For other uses, see Cat (disambiguation) and Cats
(disambiguation).
For technical reasons, "Cat #1" redirects here. For that album, see Cat 1 (album).
Domestic cat[1]
Cat poster 1.jpg
Various types of domestic cat
Conservation status
Domesticated
Scientific classification e
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Suborder: Feliformia
Family: Felidae
Genus: Felis
Species: F. silvestris
Subspecies: F. s. catus
Trinomial name
Felis silvestris catus
Linnaeus, 1758[2]
Synonyms
Felis catus (original combination)[3]
Felis catus domestica (invalid junior synonym)[4]

The domestic cat[1][5] (Felis silvestris catus or Felis catus) is a small,

typically furry, carnivorous mammal. They are often called house cats[6] when kept
as indoor pets or simply cats when there is no need to distinguish them from other
felids and felines. They are often valued by humans for companionship and for their
ability to hunt vermin. There are more than seventy cat breeds recognized by
various cat registries.

Cats are similar in anatomy to the other felids, with a strong flexible body, quick
reflexes, sharp retractable claws, and teeth adapted to killing small prey. Cat
senses fit a crepuscular and predatory ecological niche. Cats can hear sounds too
faint or too high in frequency for human ears, such as those made by mice and other
small animals. They can see in near darkness. Like most other mammals, cats have
poorer color vision and a better sense of smell than humans. Cats, despite being
solitary hunters, are a social species and cat communication includes the use of a
variety of vocalizations (mewing, purring, trilling, hissing, growling, and
grunting), as well as cat pheromones and types of cat-specific body language.[7]

Cats have a high breeding rate.[8] Under controlled breeding, they can be bred and
shown as registered pedigree pets, a hobby known as cat fancy. Failure to control
the breeding of pet cats by neutering, as well as the abandonment of former
household pets, has resulted in large numbers of feral cats worldwide, requiring
population control.[9] In certain areas outside cats' native range, this has
contributed, along with habitat destruction and other factors, to the extinction of
many bird species. Cats have been known to extirpate a bird species within specific
regions and may have contributed to the extinction of isolated island populations.
[10] Cats are thought to be primarily responsible for the extinction of 33 species
of birds,[better source needed] and the presence of feral and free-ranging cats
makes some otherwise suitable locations unsuitable for attempted species
reintroduction.[11]Cat
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about the cat species that is commonly kept as a pet. For the cat
family, see Felidae. For other uses, see Cat (disambiguation) and Cats
(disambiguation).
For technical reasons, "Cat #1" redirects here. For that album, see Cat 1 (album).
Domestic cat[1]
Cat poster 1.jpg
Various types of domestic cat
Conservation status
Domesticated
Scientific classification e
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Suborder: Feliformia
Family: Felidae
Genus: Felis
Species: F. silvestris
Subspecies: F. s. catus
Trinomial name
Felis silvestris catus
Linnaeus, 1758[2]
Synonyms
Felis catus (original combination)[3]
Felis catus domestica (invalid junior synonym)[4]

The domestic cat[1][5] (Felis silvestris catus or Felis catus) is a small,

typically furry, carnivorous mammal. They are often called house cats[6] when kept
as indoor pets or simply cats when there is no need to distinguish them from other
felids and felines. They are often valued by humans for companionship and for their
ability to hunt vermin. There are more than seventy cat breeds recognized by
various cat registries.

Cats are similar in anatomy to the other felids, with a strong flexible body, quick
reflexes, sharp retractable claws, and teeth adapted to killing small prey. Cat
senses fit a crepuscular and predatory ecological niche. Cats can hear sounds too
faint or too high in frequency for human ears, such as those made by mice and other
small animals. They can see in near darkness. Like most other mammals, cats have
poorer color vision and a better sense of smell than humans. Cats, despite being
solitary hunters, are a social species and cat communication includes the use of a
variety of vocalizations (mewing, purring, trilling, hissing, growling, and
grunting), as well as cat pheromones and types of cat-specific body language.[7]

Cats have a high breeding rate.[8] Under controlled breeding, they can be bred and
shown as registered pedigree pets, a hobby known as cat fancy. Failure to control
the breeding of pet cats by neutering, as well as the abandonment of former
household pets, has resulted in large numbers of feral cats worldwide, requiring
population control.[9] In certain areas outside cats' native range, this has
contributed, along with habitat destruction and other factors, to the extinction of
many bird species. Cats have been known to extirpate a bird species within specific
regions and may have contributed to the extinction of isolated island populations.
[10] Cats are thought to be primarily responsible for the extinction of 33 species
of birds,[better source needed] and the presence of feral and free-ranging cats
makes some otherwise suitable locations unsuitable for attempted species
reintroduction.[11]Cat
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about the cat species that is commonly kept as a pet. For the cat
family, see Felidae. For other uses, see Cat (disambiguation) and Cats
(disambiguation).
For technical reasons, "Cat #1" redirects here. For that album, see Cat 1 (album).
Domestic cat[1]
Cat poster 1.jpg
Various types of domestic cat
Conservation status
Domesticated
Scientific classification e
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Suborder: Feliformia
Family: Felidae
Genus: Felis
Species: F. silvestris
Subspecies: F. s. catus
Trinomial name
Felis silvestris catus
Linnaeus, 1758[2]
Synonyms
Felis catus (original combination)[3]
Felis catus domestica (invalid junior synonym)[4]

The domestic cat[1][5] (Felis silvestris catus or Felis catus) is a small,

typically furry, carnivorous mammal. They are often called house cats[6] when kept
as indoor pets or simply cats when there is no need to distinguish them from other
felids and felines. They are often valued by humans for companionship and for their
ability to hunt vermin. There are more than seventy cat breeds recognized by
various cat registries.

Cats are similar in anatomy to the other felids, with a strong flexible body, quick
reflexes, sharp retractable claws, and teeth adapted to killing small prey. Cat
senses fit a crepuscular and predatory ecological niche. Cats can hear sounds too
faint or too high in frequency for human ears, such as those made by mice and other
small animals. They can see in near darkness. Like most other mammals, cats have
poorer color vision and a better sense of smell than humans. Cats, despite being
solitary hunters, are a social species and cat communication includes the use of a
variety of vocalizations (mewing, purring, trilling, hissing, growling, and
grunting), as well as cat pheromones and types of cat-specific body language.[7]

Cats have a high breeding rate.[8] Under controlled breeding, they can be bred and
shown as registered pedigree pets, a hobby known as cat fancy. Failure to control
the breeding of pet cats by neutering, as well as the abandonment of former
household pets, has resulted in large numbers of feral cats worldwide, requiring
population control.[9] In certain areas outside cats' native range, this has
contributed, along with habitat destruction and other factors, to the extinction of
many bird species. Cats have been known to extirpate a bird species within specific
regions and may have contributCat
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about the cat species that is commonly kept as a pet. For the cat
family, see Felidae. For other uses, see Cat (disambiguation) and Cats
(disambiguation).
For technical reasons, "Cat #1" redirects here. For that album, see Cat 1 (album).
Domestic cat[1]
Cat poster 1.jpg
Various types of domestic cat
Conservation status
Domesticated
Scientific classification e
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Suborder: Feliformia
Family: Felidae
Genus: Felis
Species: F. silvestris
Subspecies: F. s. catus
Trinomial name
Felis silvestris catus
Linnaeus, 1758[2]
Synonyms
Felis catus (original combination)[3]
Felis catus domestica (invalid junior synonym)[4]

The domestic cat[1][5] (Felis silvestris catus or Felis catus) is a small,

typically furry, carnivorous mammal. They are often called house cats[6] when kept
as indoor pets or simply cats when there is no need to distinguish them from other
felids and felines. They are often valued by humans for companionship and for their
ability to hunt vermin. There are more than seventy cat breeds recognized by
various cat registries.

Cats are similar in anatomy to the other felids, with a strong flexible body, quick
reflexes, sharp retractable claws, and teeth adapted to killing small prey. Cat
senses fit a crepuscular and predatory ecological niche. Cats can hear sounds too
faint or too high in frequency for human ears, such as those made by mice and other
small animals. They can see in near darkness. Like most other mammals, cats have
poorer color vision and a better sense of smell than humans. Cats, despite being
solitary hunters, are a social species and cat communication includes the use of a
variety of vocalizations (mewing, purring, trilling, hissing, growling, and
grunting), as well as cat pheromones and types of cat-specific body language.[7]

Cats have a high breeding rate.[8] Under controlled breeding, they can be bred and
shown as registered pedigree pets, a hobby known as cat fancy. Failure to control
the breeding of pet cats by neutering, as well as the abandonment of former
household pets, has resulted in large numbers of feral cats worldwide, requiring
population control.[9] In certain areas outside cats' native range, this has
contributed, along with habitat destruction and other factors, to the extinction of
many bird species. Cats have been known to extirpate a bird species within specific
regions and may have contributed to the extinction of isolated island populations.
[10] Cats are thought to be primarily responsible for the extinction of 33 species
of birds,[better source needed] and the presence of feral and free-ranging cats
makes some otherwise suitable locations unsuitable for attempted species
reintroduction.[11]Cat
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about the cat species that is commonly kept as a pet. For the cat
family, see Felidae. For other uses, see Cat (disambiguation) and Cats
(disambiguation).
For technical reasons, "Cat #1" redirects here. For that album, see Cat 1 (album).
Domestic cat[1]
Cat poster 1.jpg
Various types of domestic cat
Conservation status
Domesticated
Scientific classification e
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Suborder: Feliformia
Family: Felidae
Genus: Felis
Species: F. silvestris
Subspecies: F. s. catus
Trinomial name
Felis silvestris catus
Linnaeus, 1758[2]
Synonyms
Felis catus (original combination)[3]
Felis catus domestica (invalid junior synonym)[4]

The domestic cat[1][5] (Felis silvestris catus or Felis catus) is a small,

typically furry, carnivorous mammal. They are often called house cats[6] when kept
as indoor pets or simply cats when there is no need to distinguish them from other
felids and felines. They are often valued by humans for companionship and for their
ability to hunt vermin. There are more than seventy cat breeds recognized by
various cat registries.

Cats are similar in anatomy to the other felids, with a strong flexible body, quick
reflexes, sharp retractable claws, and teeth adapted to killing small prey. Cat
senses fit a crepuscular and predatory ecological niche. Cats can hear sounds too
faint or too high in frequency for human ears, such as those made by mice and other
small animals. They can see in near darkness. Like most other mammals, cats have
poorer color vision and a better sense of smell than humans. Cats, despite being
solitary hunters, are a social species and cat communication includes the use of a
variety of vocalizations (mewing, purring, trilling, hissing, growling, and
grunting), as well as cat pheromones and types of cat-specific body language.[7]

Cats have a high breeding rate.[8] Under controlled breeding, they can be bred and
shown as registered pedigree pets, a hobby known as cat fancy. Failure to control
the breeding of pet cats by neutering, as well as the abandonment of former
household pets, has resulted in large numbers of feral cats worldwide, requiring
population control.[9] In certain areas outside cats' native range, this has
contributed, along with habitat destruction and other factors, to the extinction of
many bird species. Cats have been known to extirpate a bird species within specific
regions and may have contributed to the extinction of isolated island populations.
[10] Cats are thought to be primarily responsible for the extinction of 33 species
of birds,[better source needed] and the presence of feral and free-ranging cats
makes some otherwise suitable locations unsuitable for attempted species
reintroduction.[11]Cat
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about the cat species that is commonly kept as a pet. For the cat
family, see Felidae. For other uses, see Cat (disambiguation) and Cats
(disambiguation).
For technical reasons, "Cat #1" redirects here. For that album, see Cat 1 (album).
Domestic cat[1]
Cat poster 1.jpg
Various types of domestic cat
Conservation status
Domesticated
Scientific classification e
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Suborder: Feliformia
Family: Felidae
Genus: Felis
Species: F. silvestris
Subspecies: F. s. catus
Trinomial name
Felis silvestris catus
Linnaeus, 1758[2]
Synonyms
Felis catus (original combination)[3]
Felis catus domestica (invalid junior synonym)[4]

The domestic cat[1][5] (Felis silvestris catus or Felis catus) is a small,

typically furry, carnivorous mammal. They are often called house cats[6] when kept
as indoor pets or simply cats when there is no need to distinguish them from other
felids and felines. They are often valued by humans for companionship and for their
ability to hunt vermin. There are more than seventy cat breeds recognized by
various cat registries.

Cats are similar in anatomy to the other felids, with a strong flexible body, quick
reflexes, sharp retractable claws, and teeth adapted to killing small prey. Cat
senses fit a crepuscular and predatory ecological niche. Cats can hear sounds too
faint or too high in frequency for human ears, such as those made by mice and other
small animals. They can see in near darkness. Like most other mammals, cats have
poorer color vision and a better sense of smell than humans. Cats, despite being
solitary hunters, are a social species and cat communication includes the use of a
variety of vocalizations (mewing, purring, trilling, hissing, growling, and
grunting), as well as cat pheromones and types of cat-specific body language.[7]

Cats have a high breeding rate.[8] Under controlled breeding, they can be bred and
shown as registered pedigree pets, a hobby known as cat fancy. Failure to control
the breeding of pet cats by neutering, as well as the abandonment of former
household pets, has resulted in large numbers of feral cats worldwide, requiring
population control.[9] In certain areas outside cats' native range, this has
contributed, along with habitat destruction and other factors, to the extinction of
many bird species. Cats have been known to extirpate a bird species within specific
regions and may have contributed to the extinction of isolated island populations.
[10] Cats are thought to be primarily responsible for the extinction of 33 species
of birds,[better source needed] and the presence of feral and free-ranging cats
makes some otherwise suitable locations unsuitable for attempted species
reintroduction.[11]ed to the extinction of isolated island populations.[10] Cats
are thought to be primarily responsible for the extinction of 33 species of birds,
[better source needed] and the presence of feral and free-ranging cats makes some
otherwise suitable locations unsuitable for attempted species reintroduction.
[11]Cat
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about the cat species that is commonly kept as a pet. For the cat
family, see Felidae. For other uses, see Cat (disambiguation) and Cats
(disambiguation).
For technical reasons, "Cat #1" redirects here. For that album, see Cat 1 (album).
Domestic cat[1]
Cat poster 1.jpg
Various types of domestic cat
Conservation status
Domesticated
Scientific classification e
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Suborder: Feliformia
Family: Felidae
Genus: Felis
Species: F. silvestris
Subspecies: F. s. catus
Trinomial name
Felis silvestris catus
Linnaeus, 1758[2]
Synonyms
Felis catus (original combination)[3]
Felis catus domestica (invalid junior synonym)[4]

The domestic cat[1][5] (Felis silvestris catus or Felis catus) is a small,

typically furry, carnivorous mammal. They are often called house cats[6] when kept
as indoor pets or simply cats when there is no need to distinguish them from other
felids and felines. They are often valued by humans for companionship and for their
ability to hunt vermin. There are more than seventy cat breeds recognized by
various cat registries.

Cats are similar in anatomy to the other felids, with a strong flexible body, quick
reflexes, sharp retractable claws, and teeth adapted to killing small prey. Cat
senses fit a crepuscular and predatory ecological niche. Cats can hear sounds too
faint or too high in frequency for human ears, such as those made by mice and other
small animals. They can see in near darkness. Like most other mammals, cats have
poorer color vision and a better sense of smell than humans. Cats, despite being
solitary hunters, are a social species and cat communication includes the use of a
variety of vocalizations (mewing, purring, trilling, hissing, growling, and
grunting), as well as cat pheromones and types of cat-specific body language.[7]

Cats have a high breeding rate.[8] Under controlled breeding, they can be bred and
shown as registered pedigree pets, a hobby known as cat fancy. Failure to control
the breeding of pet cats by neutering, as well as the abandonment of former
household pets, has resulted in large numbers of feral cats worldwide, requiring
population control.[9] In certain areas outside cats' native range, this has
contributed, along with habitat destruction and other factors, to the extinction of
many bird species. Cats have been known to extirpate a bird species within specific
regions and may have contributed to the extinction of isolated island populations.
[10] Cats are thought to be primarily responsible for the extinction of 33 species
of birds,[better source needed] and the presence of feral and free-ranging cats
makes some otherwise suitable locations unsuitable for attempted species
reintroduction.[11]Cat
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about the cat species that is commonly kept as a pet. For the cat
family, see Felidae. For other uses, see Cat (disambiguation) and Cats
(disambiguation).
For technical reasons, "Cat #1" redirects here. For that album, see Cat 1 (album).
Domestic cat[1]
Cat poster 1.jpg
Various types of domestic cat
Conservation status
Domesticated
Scientific classification e
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Suborder: Feliformia
Family: Felidae
Genus: Felis
Species: F. silvestris
Subspecies: F. s. catus
Trinomial name
Felis silvestris catus
Linnaeus, 1758[2]
Synonyms
Felis catus (original combination)[3]
Felis catus domestica (invalid junior synonym)[4]

The domestic cat[1][5] (Felis silvestris catus or Felis catus) is a small,

typically furry, carnivorous mammal. They are often called house cats[6] when kept
as indoor pets or simply cats when there is no need to distinguish them from other
felids and felines. They are often valued by humans for companionship and for their
ability to hunt vermin. There are more than seventy cat breeds recognized by
various cat registries.

Cats are similar in anatomy to the other felids, with a strong flexible body, quick
reflexes, sharp retractable claws, and teeth adapted to killing small prey. Cat
senses fit a crepuscular and predatory ecological niche. Cats can hear sounds too
faint or too high in frequency for human ears, such as those made by mice and other
small animals. They can see in near darkness. Like most other mammals, cats have
poorer color vision and a better sense of smell than humans. Cats, despite being
solitary hunters, are a social species and cat communication includes the use of a
variety of vocalizations (mewing, purring, trilling, hissing, growling, and
grunting), as well as cat pheromones and types of cat-specific body language.[7]

Cats have a high breeding rate.[8] Under controlled breeding, they can be bred and
shown as registered pedigree pets, a hobby known as cat fancy. Failure to control
the breeding of pet cats by neutering, as well as the abandonment of former
household pets, has resulted in large numbers of feral cats worldwide, requiring
population control.[9] In certain areas outside cats' native range, this has
contributed, along with habitat destruction and other factors, to the extinction of
many bird species. Cats have been known to extirpate a bird species within specific
regions and may have contributed to the extinction of isolated island populations.
[10] Cats are thought to be primarily responsible for the extinction of 33 species
of birds,[better source needed] and the presence of feral and free-ranging cats
makes some otherwise suitable locations unsuitable for attempted species
reintroduction.[11]Cat
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about the cat species that is commonly kept as a pet. For the cat
family, see Felidae. For other uses, see Cat (disambiguation) and Cats
(disambiguation).
For technical reasons, "Cat #1" redirects here. For that album, see Cat 1 (album).
Domestic cat[1]
Cat poster 1.jpg
Various types of domestic cat
Conservation status
Domesticated
Scientific classification e
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Suborder: Feliformia
Family: Felidae
Genus: Felis
Species: F. silvestris
Subspecies: F. s. catus
Trinomial name
Felis silvestris catus
Linnaeus, 1758[2]
Synonyms
Felis catus (original combination)[3]
Felis catus domestica (invalid junior synonym)[4]
The domestic cat[1][5] (Felis silvestris catus or Felis catus) is a small,
typically furry, carnivorous mammal. They are often called house cats[6] when kept
as indoor pets or simply cats when there is no need to distinguish them from other
felids and felines. They are often valued by humans for companionship and for their
ability to hunt vermin. There are more than seventy cat breeds recognized by
various cat registries.

Cats are similar in anatomy to the other felids, with a strong flexible body, quick
reflexes, sharp retractable claws, and teeth adapted to killing small prey. Cat
senses fit a crepuscular and predatory ecological niche. Cats can hear sounds too
faint or too high in frequency for human ears, such as those made by mice and other
small animals. They can see in near darkness. Like most other mammals, cats have
poorer color vision and a better sense of smell than humans. Cats, despite being
solitary hunters, are a social species and cat communication includes the use of a
variety of vocalizations (mewing, purring, trilling, hissing, growling, and
grunting), as well as cat pheromones and types of cat-specific body language.[7]

Cats have a high breeding rate.[8] Under controlled breeding, they can be bred and
shown as registered pedigree pets, a hobby known as cat fancy. Failure to control
the breeding of pet cats by neutering, as well as the abandonment of former
household pets, has resulted in large numbers of feral cats worldwide, requiring
population control.[9] In certain areas outside cats' native range, this has
contributed, along with habitat destruction and other factors, to the extinction of
many bird species. Cats have been known to extirpate a bird species within specific
regions and may have contributed to the extinction of isolated island populations.
[10] Cats are thouCat
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about the cat species that is commonly kept as a pet. For the cat
family, see Felidae. For other uses, see Cat (disambiguation) and Cats
(disambiguation).
For technical reasons, "Cat #1" redirects here. For that album, see Cat 1 (album).
Domestic cat[1]
Cat poster 1.jpg
Various types of domestic cat
Conservation status
Domesticated
Scientific classification e
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Suborder: Feliformia
Family: Felidae
Genus: Felis
Species: F. silvestris
Subspecies: F. s. catus
Trinomial name
Felis silvestris catus
Linnaeus, 1758[2]
Synonyms
Felis catus (original combination)[3]
Felis catus domestica (invalid junior synonym)[4]

The domestic cat[1][5] (Felis silvestris catus or Felis catus) is a small,

typically furry, carnivorous mammal. They are often called house cats[6] when kept
as indoor pets or simply cats when there is no need to distinguish them from other
felids and felines. They are often valued by humans for companionship and for their
ability to hunt vermin. There are more than seventy cat breeds recognized by
various cat registries.

Cats are similar in anatomy to the other felids, with a strong flexible body, quick
reflexes, sharp retractable claws, and teeth adapted to killing small prey. Cat
senses fit a crepuscular and predatory ecological niche. Cats can hear sounds too
faint or too high in frequency for human ears, such as those made by mice and other
small animals. They can see in near darkness. Like most other mammals, cats have
poorer color vision and a better sense of smell than humans. Cats, despite being
solitary hunters, are a social species and cat communication includes the use of a
variety of vocalizations (mewing, purring, trilling, hissing, growling, and
grunting), as well as cat pheromones and types of cat-specific body language.[7]

Cats have a high breeding rate.[8] Under controlled breeding, they can be bred and
shown as registered pedigree pets, a hobby known as cat fancy. Failure to control
the breeding of pet cats by neutering, as well as the abandonment of former
household pets, has resulted in large numbers of feral cats worldwide, requiring
population control.[9] In certain areas outside cats' native range, this has
contributed, along with habitat destruction and other factors, to the extinction of
many bird species. Cats have been known to extirpate a bird species within specific
regions and may have contributed to the extinction of isolated island populations.
[10] Cats are thought to be primarily responsible for the extinction of 33 species
of birds,[better source needed] and the presence of feral and free-ranging cats
makes some otherwise suitable locations unsuitable for attempted species
reintroduction.[11]Cat
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about the cat species that is commonly kept as a pet. For the cat
family, see Felidae. For other uses, see Cat (disambiguation) and Cats
(disambiguation).
For technical reasons, "Cat #1" redirects here. For that album, see Cat 1 (album).
Domestic cat[1]
Cat poster 1.jpg
Various types of domestic cat
Conservation status
Domesticated
Scientific classification e
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Suborder: Feliformia
Family: Felidae
Genus: Felis
Species: F. silvestris
Subspecies: F. s. catus
Trinomial name
Felis silvestris catus
Linnaeus, 1758[2]
Synonyms
Felis catus (original combination)[3]
Felis catus domestica (invalid junior synonym)[4]

The domestic cat[1][5] (Felis silvestris catus or Felis catus) is a small,

typically furry, carnivorous mammal. They are often called house cats[6] when kept
as indoor pets or simply cats when there is no need to distinguish them from other
felids and felines. They are often valued by humans for companionship and for their
ability to hunt vermin. There are more than seventy cat breeds recognized by
various cat registries.

Cats are similar in anatomy to the other felids, with a strong flexible body, quick
reflexes, sharp retractable claws, and teeth adapted to killing small prey. Cat
senses fit a crepuscular and predatory ecological niche. Cats can hear sounds too
faint or too high in frequency for human ears, such as those made by mice and other
small animals. They can see in near darkness. Like most other mammals, cats have
poorer color vision and a better sense of smell than humans. Cats, despite being
solitary hunters, are a social species and cat communication includes the use of a
variety of vocalizations (mewing, purring, trilling, hissing, growling, and
grunting), as well as cat pheromones and types of cat-specific body language.[7]

Cats have a high breeding rate.[8] Under controlled breeding, they can be bred and
shown as registered pedigree pets, a hobby known as cat fancy. Failure to control
the breeding of pet cats by neutering, as well as the abandonment of former
household pets, has resulted in large numbers of feral cats worldwide, requiring
population control.[9] In certain areas outside cats' native range, this has
contributed, along with habitat destruction and other factors, to the extinction of
many bird species. Cats have been known to extirpate a bird species within specific
regions and may have contributed to the extinction of isolated isCat
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about the cat species that is commonly kept as a pet. For the cat
family, see Felidae. For other uses, see Cat (disambiguation) and Cats
(disambiguation).
For technical reasons, "Cat #1" redirects here. For that album, see Cat 1 (album).
Domestic cat[1]
Cat poster 1.jpg
Various types of domestic cat
Conservation status
Domesticated
Scientific classification e
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Suborder: Feliformia
Family: Felidae
Genus: Felis
Species: F. silvestris
Subspecies: F. s. catus
Trinomial name
Felis silvestris catus
Linnaeus, 1758[2]
Synonyms
Felis catus (original combination)[3]
Felis catus domestica (invalid junior synonym)[4]

The domestic cat[1][5] (Felis silvestris catus or Felis catus) is a small,

typically furry, carnivorous mammal. They are often called house cats[6] when kept
as indoor pets or simply cats when there is no need to distinguish them from other
felids and felines. They are often valued by humans for companionship and for their
ability to hunt vermin. There are more than seventy cat breeds recognized by
various cat registries.

Cats are similar in anatomy to the other felids, with a strong flexible body, quick
reflexes, sharp retractable claws, and teeth adapted to killing small prey. Cat
senses fit a crepuscular and predatory ecological niche. Cats can hear sounds too
faint or too high in frequency for human ears, such as those made by mice and other
small animals. They can see in near darkness. Like most other mammals, cats have
poorer color vision and a better sense of smell than humans. Cats, despite being
solitary hunters, are a social species and cat communication includes the use of a
variety of vocalizations (mewing, purring, trilling, hissing, growling, and
grunting), as well as cat pheromones and types of cat-specific body language.[7]

Cats have a high breeding rate.[8] Under controlled breeding, they can be bred and
shown as registered pedigree pets, a hobby known as cat fancy. Failure to control
the breeding of pet cats by neutering, as well as the abandonment of former
household pets, has resulted in large numbers of feral cats worldwide, requiring
population control.[9] In certain areas outside cats' native range, this has
contributed, along with habitat destruction and other factors, to the extinction of
many bird species. Cats have been known to extirpate a bird species within specific
regions and may have contCat
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about the cat species that is commonly kept as a pet. For the cat
family, see Felidae. For other uses, see Cat (disambiguation) and Cats
(disambiguation).
For technical reasons, "Cat #1" redirects here. For that album, see Cat 1 (album).
Domestic cat[1]
Cat poster 1.jpg
Various types of domestic cat
Conservation status
Domesticated
Scientific classification e
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Suborder: Feliformia
Family: Felidae
Genus: Felis
Species: F. silvestris
Subspecies: F. s. catus
Trinomial name
Felis silvestris catus
Linnaeus, 1758[2]
Synonyms
Felis catus (original combination)[3]
Felis catus domestica (invalid junior synonym)[4]

The domestic cat[1][5] (Felis silvestris catus or Felis catus) is a small,

typically furry, carnivorous mammal. They are often called house cats[6] when kept
as indoor pets or simply cats when there is no need to distinguish them from other
felids and felines. They are often valued by humans for companionship and for their
ability to hunt vermin. There are more than seventy cat breeds recognized by
various cat registries.

Cats are similar in anatomy to the other felids, with a strong flexible body, quick
reflexes, sharp retractable claws, and teeth adapted to killing small prey. Cat
senses fit a crepuscular and predatory ecological niche. Cats can hear sounds too
faint or too high in frequency for human ears, such as those made by mice and other
small animals. They can see in near darkness. Like most other mammals, cats have
poorer color vision and a better sense of smell than humans. Cats, despite being
solitary hunters, are a social species and cat communication includes the use of a
variety of vocalizations (mewing, purring, trilling, hissing, growling, and
grunting), as well as cat pheromones and types of cat-specific body language.[7]

Cats have a high breeding rate.[8] Under controlled breeding, they can be bred and
shown as registered pedigree pets, a hobby known as cat fancy. Failure to control
the breeding of pet cats by neutering, as well as the abandonment of former
household pets, has resulted in large numbers of feral cats worldwide, requiring
population control.[9] In certain areas outside cats' native range, this has
contributed, along with habitat destruction and other factors, to the extinction of
many bird species. Cats have been known to extirpate a bird species within specific
regions and may have contributed to the extinction of isolated island populations.
[10] Cats are thought to be primarily responsible for the extinction of 33 species
of birds,[better source needed] and the presence of feral and free-ranging cats
makes some otherwise suitable locations unsuitable for attempted species
reintroduction.[11]Cat
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about the cat species that is commonly kept as a pet. For the cat
family, see Felidae. For other uses, see Cat (disambiguation) and Cats
(disambiguation).
For technical reasons, "Cat #1" redirects here. For that album, see Cat 1 (album).
Domestic cat[1]
Cat poster 1.jpg
Various types of domestic cat
Conservation status
Domesticated
Scientific classification e
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Suborder: Feliformia
Family: Felidae
Genus: Felis
Species: F. silvestris
Subspecies: F. s. catus
Trinomial name
Felis silvestris catus
Linnaeus, 1758[2]
Synonyms
Felis catus (original combination)[3]
Felis catus domestica (invalid junior synonym)[4]

The domestic cat[1][5] (Felis silvestris catus or Felis catus) is a small,

typically furry, carnivorous mammal. They are often called house cats[6] when kept
as indoor pets or simply cats when there is no need to distinguish them from other
felids and felines. They are often valued by humans for companionship and for their
ability to hunt vermin. There are more than seventy cat breeds recognized by
various cat registries.

Cats are similar in anatomy to the other felids, with a strong flexible body, quick
reflexes, sharp retractable claws, and teeth adapted to killing small prey. Cat
senses fit a crepuscular and predatory ecological niche. Cats can hear sounds too
faint or too high in frequency for human ears, such as those made by mice and other
small animals. They can see in near darkness. Like most other mammals, cats have
poorer color vision and a better sense of smell than humans. Cats, despite being
solitary hunters, are a social species and cat communication includes the use of a
variety of vocalizations (mewing, purring, trilling, hissing, growling, and
grunting), as well as cat pheromones and types of cat-specific body language.[7]

Cats have a high breeding rate.[8] Under controlled breeding, they can be bred and
shown as registered pedigree pets, a hobby known as cat fancy. Failure to control
the breeding of pet cats by neutering, as well as the abandonment of former
household pets, has resulted in large numbers of feral cats worldwide, requiring
population control.[9] In certain areas outside cats' native range, this has
contributed, along with habitat destruction and other factors, to the extinction of
many bird species. Cats have been known to extirpate a bird species within specific
regions and may have contributed to the extinction of isolated island populations.
[10] Cats are thought to be primarily responsible for the extinction of 33 species
of birds,[better source needed] and the presence of feral and free-ranging cats
makes some otherwise suitable locations unsuitable for attempted species
reintroduction.[11]Cat
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about the cat species that is commonly kept as a pet. For the cat
family, see Felidae. For other uses, see Cat (disambiguation) and Cats
(disambiguation).
For technical reasons, "Cat #1" redirects here. For that album, see Cat 1 (album).
Domestic cat[1]
Cat poster 1.jpg
Various types of domestic cat
Conservation status
Domesticated
Scientific classification e
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Suborder: Feliformia
Family: Felidae
Genus: Felis
Species: F. silvestris
Subspecies: F. s. catus
Trinomial name
Felis silvestris catus
Linnaeus, 1758[2]
Synonyms
Felis catus (original combination)[3]
Felis catus domestica (invalid junior synonym)[4]

The domestic cat[1][5] (Felis silvestris catus or Felis catus) is a small,

typically furry, carnivorous mammal. They are often called house cats[6] when kept
as indoor pets or simply cats when there is no need to distinguish them from other
felids and felines. They are often valued by humans for companionship and for their
ability to hunt vermin. There are more than seventy cat breeds recognized by
various cat registries.

Cats are similar in anatomy to the other felids, with a strong flexible body, quick
reflexes, sharp retractable claws, and teeth adapted to killing small prey. Cat
senses fit a crepuscular and predatory ecological niche. Cats can hear sounds too
faint or too high in frequency for human ears, such as those made by mice and other
small animals. They can see in near darkness. Like most other mammals, cats have
poorer color vision and a better sense of smell than humans. Cats, despite being
solitary hunters, are a social species and cat communication includes the use of a
variety of vocalizations (mewing, purring, trilling, hissing, growling, and
grunting), as well as cat pheromones and types of cat-specific body language.[7]

Cats have a high breeding rate.[8] Under controlled breeding, they can be bred and
shown as registered pedigree pets, a hobby known as cat fancy. Failure to control
the breeding of pet cats by neutering, as well as the abandonment of former
household pets, has resulted in large numbers of feral cats worldwide, requiring
population control.[9] In certain areas outside cats' native range, this has
contributed, along with habitat destruction and other factors, to the extinction of
many bird species. Cats have been known to extirpate a bird species within specific
regions and may have contributed to the extinction of isolated island populations.
[10] Cats are thought to be primarily responsible for the extinction of 33 species
of birds,[better source needed] and the presence of feral and free-ranging cats
makes some otherwise suitable locations unsuitable for attempted species
reintroduction.[11]Cat
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about the cat species that is commonly kept as a pet. For the cat
family, see Felidae. For other uses, see Cat (disambiguation) and Cats
(disambiguation).
For technical reasons, "Cat #1" redirects here. For that album, see Cat 1 (album).
Domestic cat[1]
Cat poster 1.jpg
Various types of domestic cat
Conservation status
Domesticated
Scientific classification e
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Suborder: Feliformia
Family: Felidae
Genus: Felis
Species: F. silvestris
Subspecies: F. s. catus
Trinomial name
Felis silvestris catus
Linnaeus, 1758[2]
Synonyms
Felis catus (original combination)[3]
Felis catus domestica (invalid junior synonym)[4]

The domestic cat[1][5] (Felis silvestris catus or Felis catus) is a small,

typically furry, carnivorous mammal. They are often called house cats[6] when kept
as indoor pets or simply cats when there is no need to distinguish them from other
felids and felines. They are often valued by humans for companionship and for their
ability to hunt vermin. There are more than seventy cat breeds recognized by
various cat registries.

Cats are similar in anatomy to the other felids, with a strong flexible body, quick
reflexes, sharp retractable claws, and teeth adapted to killing small prey. Cat
senses fit a crepuscular and predatory ecological niche. Cats can hear sounds too
faint or too high in frequency for human ears, such as those made by mice and other
small animals. They can see in near darkness. Like most other mammals, cats have
poorer color vision and a better sense of smell than humans. Cats, despite being
solitary hunters, are a social species and cat communication includes the use of a
variety of vocalizations (mewing, purring, trilling, hissing, growling, and
grunting), as well as cat pheromones and types of cat-specific body language.[7]

Cats have a high breeding rate.[8] Under controlled breeding, they can be bred and
shown as registered pedigree pets, a hobby known as cat fancy. Failure to control
the breeding of pet cats by neutering, as well as the abandonment of former
household pets, has resulted in large numbers of feral cats worldwide, requiring
population control.[9] In certain areas outside cats' native range, this has
contributed, along with habitat destruction and other factors, to the extinction of
many bird species. Cats have been known to extirpate a bird species within specific
regions and may have contributed to the extinction of isolated island populations.
[10] Cats are thought to be primarily responsible for the extinction of 33 species
of birds,[better source needed] and the presence of feral and free-ranging cats
makes some otherwise suitable locations unsuitable for attempted species
reintroduction.[11]Cat
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about the cat species that is commonly kept as a pet. For the cat
family, see Felidae. For other uses, see Cat (disambiguation) and Cats
(disambiguation).
For technical reasons, "Cat #1" redirects here. For that album, see Cat 1 (album).
Domestic cat[1]
Cat poster 1.jpg
Various types of domestic cat
Conservation status
Domesticated
Scientific classification e
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Suborder: Feliformia
Family: Felidae
Genus: Felis
Species: F. silvestris
Subspecies: F. s. catus
Trinomial name
Felis silvestris catus
Linnaeus, 1758[2]
Synonyms
Felis catus (original combination)[3]
Felis catus domestica (invalid junior synonym)[4]

The domestic cat[1][5] (Felis silvestris catus or Felis catus) is a small,

typically furry, carnivorous mammal. They are often called house cats[6] when kept
as indoor pets or simply cats when there is no need to distinguish them from other
felids and felines. They are often valued by humans for companionship and for their
ability to hunt vermin. There are more than seventy cat breeds recognized by
various cat registries.

Cats are similar in anatomy to the other felids, with a strong flexible body, quick
reflexes, sharp retractable claws, and teeth adapted to killing small prey. Cat
senses fit a crepuscular and predatory ecological niche. Cats can hear sounds too
faint or too high in frequency for human ears, such as those made by mice and other
small animals. They can see in near darkness. Like most other mammals, cats have
poorer color vision and a better sense of smell than humans. Cats, despite being
solitary hunters, are a social species and cat communication includes the use of a
variety of vocalizations (mewing, purring, trilling, hissing, growling, and
grunting), as well as cat pheromones and types of cat-specific body language.[7]

Cats have a high breeding rate.[8] Under controlled breeding, they can be bred and
shown as registered pedigree pets, a hobby known as cat fancy. Failure to control
the breeding of pet cats by neutering, as well as the abandonment of former
household pets, has resulted in large numbers of feral cats worldwide, requiring
population control.[9] In certain areas outside cats' native range, this has
contributed, along with habitat destruction and other factors, to the extinction of
many bird species. Cats have been known to extirpate a bird species within specific
regions and may have contributed to the extinction of isolated island populations.
[10] Cats are thought to be primarily responsible for the extinction of 33 species
of birds,[better source needed] and the presence of feral and free-ranging cats
makes some otherwise suitable locations unsuitable for attempted species
reintroduction.[11]Cat
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about the cat species that is commonly kept as a pet. For the cat
family, see Felidae. For other uses, see Cat (disambiguation) and Cats
(disambiguation).
For technical reasons, "Cat #1" redirects here. For that album, see Cat 1 (album).
Domestic cat[1]
Cat poster 1.jpg
Various types of domestic cat
Conservation status
Domesticated
Scientific classification e
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Suborder: Feliformia
Family: Felidae
Genus: Felis
Species: F. silvestris
Subspecies: F. s. catus
Trinomial name
Felis silvestris catus
Linnaeus, 1758[2]
Synonyms
Felis catus (original combination)[3]
Felis catus domestica (invalid junior synonym)[4]

The domestic cat[1][5] (Felis silvestris catus or Felis catus) is a small,

typically furry, carnivorous mammal. They are often called house cats[6] when kept
as indoor pets or simply cats when there is no need to distinguish them from other
felids and felines. They are often valued by humans for companionship and for their
ability to hunt vermin. There are more than seventy cat breeds recognized by
various cat registries.

Cats are similar in anatomy to the other felids, with a strong flexible body, quick
reflexes, sharp retractable claws, and teeth adapted to killing small prey. Cat
senses fit a crepuscular and predatory ecological niche. Cats can hear sounds too
faint or too high in frequency for human ears, such as those made by mice and other
small animals. They can see in near darkness. Like most other mammals, cats have
poorer color vision and a better sense of smell than humans. Cats, despite being
solitary hunters, are a social species and cat communication includes the use of a
variety of vocalizations (mewing, purring, trilling, hissing, growling, and
grunting), as well as cat pheromones and types of cat-specific body language.[7]

Cats have a high breeding rate.[8] Under controlled breeding, they can be bred and
shown as registered pedigree pets, a hobby known as cat fancy. Failure to control
the breeding of pet cats by neutering, as well as the abandonment of former
household pets, has resulted in large numbers of feral cats worldwide, requiring
population control.[9] In certain areas outside cats' native range, this has
contributed, along with habitat destruction and other factors, to the extinction of
many bird species. Cats have been known to extirpate a bird species within specific
regions and may have contributed to the extinction of isolated island populations.
[10] Cats are thought to be primarily responsible for the extinction of 33 species
of birds,[better source needed] and the presence of feral and free-ranging cats
makes some otherwise suitable locations unsuitable for attempted species
reintroduction.[11]Cat
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about the cat species that is commonly kept as a pet. For the cat
family, see Felidae. For other uses, see Cat (disambiguation) and Cats
(disambiguation).
For technical reasons, "Cat #1" redirects here. For that album, see Cat 1 (album).
Domestic cat[1]
Cat poster 1.jpg
Various types of domestic cat
Conservation status
Domesticated
Scientific classification e
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Suborder: Feliformia
Family: Felidae
Genus: Felis
Species: F. silvestris
Subspecies: F. s. catus
Trinomial name
Felis silvestris catus
Linnaeus, 1758[2]
Synonyms
Felis catus (original combination)[3]
Felis catus domestica (invalid junior synonym)[4]

The domestic cat[1][5] (Felis silvestris catus or Felis catus) is a small,

typically furry, carnivorous mammal. They are often called house cats[6] when kept
as indoor pets or simply cats when there is no need to distinguish them from other
felids and felines. They are often valued by humans for companionship and for their
ability to hunt vermin. There are more than seventy cat breeds recognized by
various cat registries.

Cats are similar in anatomy to the other felids, with a strong flexible body, quick
reflexes, sharp retractable claws, and teeth adapted to killing small prey. Cat
senses fit a crepuscular and predatory ecological niche. Cats can hear sounds too
faint or too high in frequency for human ears, such as those made by mice and other
small animals. They can see in near darkness. Like most other mammals, cats have
poorer color vision and a better sense of smell than humans. Cats, despite being
solitary hunters, are a social species and cat communication includes the use of a
variety of vocalizations (mewing, purring, trilling, hissing, growling, and
grunting), as well as cat pheromones and types of cat-specific body language.[7]

Cats have a high breeding rate.[8] Under controlled breeding, they can be bred and
shown as registered pedigree pets, a hobby known as cat fancy. Failure to control
the breeding of pet cats by neutering, as well as the abandonment of former
household pets, has resulted in large numbers of feral cats worldwide, requiring
population control.[9] In certain areas outside cats' native range, this has
contributed, along with habitat destruction and other factors, to the extinction of
many bird species. Cats have been known to extirpate a bird species within specific
regions and may have contributed to the extinction of isolated island populations.
[10] Cats are thought to be primarily responsible for the extinction of 33 species
of birds,[better source needed] and the presence of feral and free-ranging cats
makes some otherwise suitable locations unsuitable for attempted species
reintroduction.[11]Cat
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about the cat species that is commonly kept as a pet. For the cat
family, see Felidae. For other uses, see Cat (disambiguation) and Cats
(disambiguation).
For technical reasons, "Cat #1" redirects here. For that album, see Cat 1 (album).
Domestic cat[1]
Cat poster 1.jpg
Various types of domestic cat
Conservation status
Domesticated
Scientific classification e
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Suborder: Feliformia
Family: Felidae
Genus: Felis
Species: F. silvestris
Subspecies: F. s. catus
Trinomial name
Felis silvestris catus
Linnaeus, 1758[2]
Synonyms
Felis catus (original combination)[3]
Felis catus domestica (invalid junior synonym)[4]

The domestic cat[1][5] (Felis silvestris catus or Felis catus) is a small,

typically furry, carnivorous mammal. They are often called house cats[6] when kept
as indoor pets or simply cats when there is no need to distinguish them from other
felids and felines. They are often valued by humans for companionship and for their
ability to hunt vermin. There are more than seventy cat breeds recognized by
various cat registries.

Cats are similar in anatomy to the other felids, with a strong flexible body, quick
reflexes, sharp retractable claws, and teeth adapted to killing small prey. Cat
senses fit a crepuscular and predatory ecological niche. Cats can hear sounds too
faint or too high in frequency for human ears, such as those made by mice and other
small animals. They can see in near darkness. Like most other mammals, cats have
poorer color vision and a better sense of smell than humans. Cats, despite being
solitary hunters, are a social species and cat communication includes the use of a
variety of vocalizations (mewing, purring, trilling, hissing, growling, and
grunting), as well as cat pheromones and types of cat-specific body language.[7]

Cats have a high breeding rate.[8] Under controlled breeding, they can be bred and
shown as registered pedigree pets, a hobby known as cat fancy. Failure to control
the breeding of pet cats by neutering, as well as the abandonment of former
household pets, has resulted in large numbers of feral cats worldwide, requiring
population control.[9] In certain areas outside cats' native range, this has
contributed, along with habitat destruction and other factors, to the extinction of
many bird species. Cats have been known to extirpate a bird species within specific
regions and may have contributed to the extinction of isolated island populations.
[10] Cats are thought to be primarily responsible for the extinction of 33 species
of birds,[better source needed] and the presence of feral and free-ranging cats
makes some otherwise suitable locations unsuitable for attempted species
reintroduction.[11]Cat
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about the cat species that is commonly kept as a pet. For the cat
family, see Felidae. For other uses, see Cat (disambiguation) and Cats
(disambiguation).
For technical reasons, "Cat #1" redirects here. For that album, see Cat 1 (album).
Domestic cat[1]
Cat poster 1.jpg
Various types of domestic cat
Conservation status
Domesticated
Scientific classification e
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Suborder: Feliformia
Family: Felidae
Genus: Felis
Species: F. silvestris
Subspecies: F. s. catus
Trinomial name
Felis silvestris catus
Linnaeus, 1758[2]
Synonyms
Felis catus (original combination)[3]
Felis catus domestica (invalid junior synonym)[4]

The domestic cat[1][5] (Felis silvestris catus or Felis catus) is a small,

typically furry, carnivorous mammal. They are often called house cats[6] when kept
as indoor pets or simply cats when there is no need to distinguish them from other
felids and felines. They are often valued by humans for companionship and for their
ability to hunt vermin. There are more than seventy cat breeds recognized by
various cat registries.

Cats are similar in anatomy to the other felids, with a strong flexible body, quick
reflexes, sharp retractable claws, and teeth adapted to killing small prey. Cat
senses fit a crepuscular and predatory ecological niche. Cats can hear sounds too
faint or too high in frequency for human ears, such as those made by mice and other
small animals. They can see in near darkness. Like most other mammals, cats have
poorer color vision and a better sense of smell than humans. Cats, despite being
solitary hunters, are a social species and cat communication includes the use of a
variety of vocalizations (mewing, purring, trilling, hissing, growling, and
grunting), as well as cat pheromones and types of cat-specific body language.[7]

Cats have a high breeding rate.[8] Under controlled breeding, they can be bred and
shown as registered pedigree pets, a hobby known as cat fancy. Failure to control
the breeding of pet cats by neutering, as well as the abandonment of former
household pets, has resulted in large numbers of feral cats worldwide, requiring
population control.[9] In certain areas outside cats' native range, this has
contributed, along with habitat destruction and other factors, to the extinction of
many bird species. Cats have been known to extirpate a bird species within specific
regions and may have contributed to the extinction of isolated island populations.
[10] Cats are thought to be primarily responsible for the extinction of 33 species
of birds,[better source needed] and the presence of feral and free-ranging cats
makes some otherwise suitable locations unsuitable for attempted species
reintroduction.[11]Cat
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about the cat species that is commonly kept as a pet. For the cat
family, see Felidae. For other uses, see Cat (disambiguation) and Cats
(disambiguation).
For technical reasons, "Cat #1" redirects here. For that album, see Cat 1 (album).
Domestic cat[1]
Cat poster 1.jpg
Various types of domestic cat
Conservation status
Domesticated
Scientific classification e
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Suborder: Feliformia
Family: Felidae
Genus: Felis
Species: F. silvestris
Subspecies: F. s. catus
Trinomial name
Felis silvestris catus
Linnaeus, 1758[2]
Synonyms
Felis catus (original combination)[3]
Felis catus domestica (invalid junior synonym)[4]

The domestic cat[1][5] (Felis silvestris catus or Felis catus) is a small,

typically furry, carnivorous mammal. They are often called house cats[6] when kept
as indoor pets or simply cats when there is no need to distinguish them from other
felids and felines. They are often valued by humans for companionship and for their
ability to hunt vermin. There are more than seventy cat breeds recognized by
various cat registries.

Cats are similar in anatomy to the other felids, with a strong flexible body, quick
reflexes, sharp retractable claws, and teeth adapted to killing small prey. Cat
senses fit a crepuscular and predatory ecological niche. Cats can hear sounds too
faint or too high in frequency for human ears, such as those made by mice and other
small animals. They can see in near darkness. Like most other mammals, cats have
poorer color vision and a better sense of smell than humans. Cats, despite being
solitary hunters, are a social species and cat communication includes the use of a
variety of vocalizations (mewing, purring, trilling, hissing, growling, and
grunting), as well as cat pheromones and types of cat-specific body language.[7]

Cats have a high breeding rate.[8] Under controlled breeding, they can be bred and
shown as registered pedigree pets, a hobby known as cat fancy. Failure to control
the breeding of pet cats by neutering, as well as the abandonment of former
household pets, has resulted in large numbers of feral cats worldwide, requiring
population control.[9] In certain areas outside cats' native range, this has
contributed, along with habitat destruction and other factors, to the extinction of
many bird species. Cats have been known to extirpate a bird species within specific
regions and may have contributed to the extinction of isolated island populations.
[10] Cats are thought to be primarily responsible for the extinction of 33 species
of birds,[better source needed] and the presence of feral and free-ranging cats
makes some otherwise suitable locations unsuitable for attempted species
reintroduction.[11]Cat
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about the cat species that is commonly kept as a pet. For the cat
family, see Felidae. For other uses, see Cat (disambiguation) and Cats
(disambiguation).
For technical reasons, "Cat #1" redirects here. For that album, see Cat 1 (album).
Domestic cat[1]
Cat poster 1.jpg
Various types of domestic cat
Conservation status
Domesticated
Scientific classification e
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Suborder: Feliformia
Family: Felidae
Genus: Felis
Species: F. silvestris
Subspecies: F. s. catus
Trinomial name
Felis silvestris catus
Linnaeus, 1758[2]
Synonyms
Felis catus (original combination)[3]
Felis catus domestica (invalid junior synonym)[4]

The domestic cat[1][5] (Felis silvestris catus or Felis catus) is a small,

typically furry, carnivorous mammal. They are often called house cats[6] when kept
as indoor pets or simply cats when there is no need to distinguish them from other
felids and felines. They are often valued by humans for companionship and for their
ability to hunt vermin. There are more than seventy cat breeds recognized by
various cat registries.

Cats are similar in anatomy to the other felids, with a strong flexible body, quick
reflexes, sharp retractable claws, and teeth adapted to killing small prey. Cat
senses fit a crepuscular and predatory ecological niche. Cats can hear sounds too
faint or too high in frequency for human ears, such as those made by mice and other
small animals. They can see in near darkness. Like most other mammals, cats have
poorer color vision and a better sense of smell than humans. Cats, despite being
solitary hunters, are a social species and cat communication includes the use of a
variety of vocalizations (mewing, purring, trilling, hissing, growling, and
grunting), as well as cat pheromones and types of cat-specific body language.[7]

Cats have a high breeding rate.[8] Under controlled breeding, they can be bred and
shown as registered pedigree pets, a hobby known as cat fancy. Failure to control
the breeding of pet cats by neutering, as well as the abandonment of former
household pets, has resulted in large numbers of feral cats worldwide, requiring
population control.[9] In certain areas outside cats' native range, this has
contributed, along with habitat destruction and other factors, to the extinction of
many bird species. Cats have been known to extirpate a bird species within specific
regions and may have contributed to the extinction of isolated island populations.
[10] Cats are thought to be primarily responsible for the extinction of 33 species
of birds,[better source needed] and the presence of feral and free-ranging cats
makes some otherwise suitable locations unsuitable for attempted species
reintroduction.[11]Cat
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about the cat species that is commonly kept as a pet. For the cat
family, see Felidae. For other uses, see Cat (disambiguation) and Cats
(disambiguation).
For technical reasons, "Cat #1" redirects here. For that album, see Cat 1 (album).
Domestic cat[1]
Cat poster 1.jpg
Various types of domestic cat
Conservation status
Domesticated
Scientific classification e
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Suborder: Feliformia
Family: Felidae
Genus: Felis
Species: F. silvestris
Subspecies: F. s. catus
Trinomial name
Felis silvestris catus
Linnaeus, 1758[2]
Synonyms
Felis catus (original combination)[3]
Felis catus domestica (invalid junior synonym)[4]

The domestic cat[1][5] (Felis silvestris catus or Felis catus) is a small,

typically furry, carnivorous mammal. They are often called house cats[6] when kept
as indoor pets or simply cats when there is no need to distinguish them from other
felids and felines. They are often valued by humans for companionship and for their
ability to hunt vermin. There are more than seventy cat breeds recognized by
various cat registries.

Cats are similar in anatomy to the other felids, with a strong flexible body, quick
reflexes, sharp retractable claws, and teeth adapted to killing small prey. Cat
senses fit a crepuscular and predatory ecological niche. Cats can hear sounds too
faint or too high in frequency for human ears, such as those made by mice and other
small animals. They can see in near darkness. Like most other mammals, cats have
poorer color vision and a better sense of smell than humans. Cats, despite being
solitary hunters, are a social species and cat communication includes the use of a
variety of vocalizations (mewing, purring, trilling, hissing, growling, and
grunting), as well as cat pheromones and types of cat-specific body language.[7]

Cats have a high breeding rate.[8] Under controlled breeding, they can be bred and
shown as registered pedigree pets, a hobby known as cat fancy. Failure to control
the breeding of pet cats by neutering, as well as the abandonment of former
household pets, has resulted in large numbers of feral cats worldwide, requiring
population control.[9] In certain areas outside cats' native range, this has
contributed, along with habitat destruction and other factors, to the extinction of
many bird species. Cats have been known to extirpate a bird species within specific
regions and may have contributed to the extinction of isolated islaCat
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about the cat species that is commonly kept as a pet. For the cat
family, see Felidae. For other uses, see Cat (disambiguation) and Cats
(disambiguation).
For technical reasons, "Cat #1" redirects here. For that album, see Cat 1 (album).
Domestic cat[1]
Cat poster 1.jpg
Various types of domestic cat
Conservation status
Domesticated
Scientific classification e
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Suborder: Feliformia
Family: Felidae
Genus: Felis
Species: F. silvestris
Subspecies: F. s. catus
Trinomial name
Felis silvestris catus
Linnaeus, 1758[2]
Synonyms
Felis catus (original combination)[3]
Felis catus domestica (invalid junior synonym)[4]

The domestic cat[1][5] (Felis silvestris catus or Felis catus) is a small,

typically furry, carnivorous mammal. They are often called house cats[6] when kept
as indoor pets or simply cats when there is no need to distinguish them from other
felids and felines. They are often valued by humans for companionship and for their
ability to hunt vermin. There are more than seventy cat breeds recognized by
various cat registries.

Cats are similar in anatomy to the other felids, with a strong flexible body, quick
reflexes, sharp retractable claws, and teeth adapted to killing small prey. Cat
senses fit a crepuscular and predatory ecological niche. Cats can hear sounds too
faint or too high in frequency for human ears, such as those made by mice and other
small animals. They can see in near darkness. Like most other mammals, cats have
poorer color vision and a better sense of smell than humans. Cats, despite being
solitary hunters, are a social species and cat communication includes the use of a
variety of vocalizations (mewing, purring, trilling, hissing, growling, and
grunting), as well as cat pheromones and types of cat-specific body language.[7]

Cats have a high breeding rate.[8] Under controlled breeding, they can be bred and
shown as registered pedigree pets, a hobby known as cat fancy. Failure to control
the breeding of pet cats by neutering, as well as the abandonment of former
household pets, has resulted in large numbers of feral cats worldwide, requiring
population control.[9] In certain areas outside cats' native range, this has
contributed, along with habitat destruction and other factors, to the extinction of
many bird species. Cats have been known to extirpate a bird species within specific
regions and may have contributed to the extinction of isolated island populations.
[10] Cats are thought to be primarily responsible for the extinction of 33 species
of birds,[better source needed] and the presence of feral and free-ranging cats
makes some otherwise suitable locations unsuitable for attempted species
reintroduction.[11]Cat
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about the cat species that is commonly kept as a pet. For the cat
family, see Felidae. For other uses, see Cat (disambiguation) and Cats
(disambiguation).
For technical reasons, "Cat #1" redirects here. For that album, see Cat 1 (album).
Domestic cat[1]
Cat poster 1.jpg
Various types of domestic cat
Conservation status
Domesticated
Scientific classification e
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Suborder: Feliformia
Family: Felidae
Genus: Felis
Species: F. silvestris
Subspecies: F. s. catus
Trinomial name
Felis silvestris catus
Linnaeus, 1758[2]
Synonyms
Felis catus (original combination)[3]
Felis catus domestica (invalid junior synonym)[4]

The domestic cat[1][5] (Felis silvestris catus or Felis catus) is a small,

typically furry, carnivorous mammal. They are often called house cats[6] when kept
as indoor pets or simply cats when there is no need to distinguish them from other
felids and felines. They are often valued by humans for companionship and for their
ability to hunt vermin. There are more than seventy cat breeds recognized by
various cat registries.
Cats are similar in anatomy to the other felids, with a strong flexible body, quick
reflexes, sharp retractable claws, and teeth adapted to killing small prey. Cat
senses fit a crepuscular and predatory ecological niche. Cats can hear sounds too
faint or too high in frequency for human ears, such as those made by mice and other
small animals. They can see in near darkness. Like most other mammals, cats have
poorer color vision and a better sense of smell than humans. Cats, despite being
solitary hunters, are a social species and cat communication includes the use of a
variety of vocalizations (mewing, purring, trilling, hissing, growling, and
grunting), as well as cat pheromones and types of cat-specific body language.[7]

Cats have a high breeding rate.[8] Under controlled breeding, they can be bred and
shown as registered pedigree pets, a hobby known as cat fancy. Failure to control
the breeding of pet cats by neutering, as well as the abandonment of former
household pets, has resulted in large numbers of feral cats worldwide, requiring
population control.[9] In certain areas outside cats' native range, this has
contributed, along with habitat destruction and other factors, to the extinction of
many bird species. Cats have been known to extirpate a bird species within specific
regions and may have contributed to the extinction of isolated island populations.
[10] Cats are thought to be primarily responsible for the extinction of 33 species
of birds,[better source needed] and the presence of feral and free-ranging cats
makes some otherwise suitable locations unsuitable for attempted species
reintroduction.[11]Cat
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about the cat species that is commonly kept as a pet. For the cat
family, see Felidae. For other uses, see Cat (disambiguation) and Cats
(disambiguation).
For technical reasons, "Cat #1" redirects here. For that album, see Cat 1 (album).
Domestic cat[1]
Cat poster 1.jpg
Various types of domestic cat
Conservation status
Domesticated
Scientific classification e
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Suborder: Feliformia
Family: Felidae
Genus: Felis
Species: F. silvestris
Subspecies: F. s. catus
Trinomial name
Felis silvestris catus
Linnaeus, 1758[2]
Synonyms
Felis catus (original combination)[3]
Felis catus domestica (invalid junior synonym)[4]

The domestic cat[1][5] (Felis silvestris catus or Felis catus) is a small,

typically furry, carnivorous mammal. They are often called house cats[6] when kept
as indoor pets or simply cats when there is no need to distinguish them from other
felids and felines. They are often valued by humans for companionship and for their
ability to hunt vermin. There are more than seventy cat breeds recognized by
various cat registries.

Cats are similar in anatomy to the other felids, with a strong flexible body, quick
reflexes, sharp retractable claws, and teeth adapted to killing small prey. Cat
senses fit a crepuscular and predatory ecological niche. Cats can hear sounds too
faint or too high in frequency for human ears, such as those made by mice and other
small animals. They can see in near darkness. Like most other mammals, cats have
poorer color vision and a better sense of smell than humans. Cats, despite being
solitary hunters, are a social species and cat communication includes the use of a
variety of vocalizations (mewing, purring, trilling, hissing, growling, and
grunting), as well as cat pheromones and types of cat-specific body language.[7]

Cats have a high breeding rate.[8] Under controlled breeding, they can be bred and
shown as registered pedigree pets, a hobby known as cat fancy. Failure to control
the breeding of pet cats by neutering, as well as the abandonment of former
household pets, has resulted in large numbers of feral cats worldwide, requiring
population control.[9] In certain areas outside cats' native range, this has
contributed, along with habitat destruction and other factors, to the extinction of
many bird species. Cats have been known to extirpate a bird species within specific
regions and may have contributed to the extinction of isolated island populations.
[10] Cats are thought to be primarily responsible for the extinction of 33 species
of birds,[better source needed] and the presence of feral and free-ranging cats
makes some otherwise suitable locations unsuitable for attempted species
reintroduction.[11]nd populations.[10] Cats are thought to be primarily responsible
for the extinction of 33 species of birds,[better source needed] and the presence
of feral and free-ranging cats makes some otherwise suitable locations unsuitable
for attempted species reintroduction.[11]ributed to the extinction of isolated
island populations.[10] Cats are thought to be primarily responsible for the
extinction of 33 species of birds,[better source needed] and the presence of feral
and free-ranging cats makes some otherwise suitable locations unsuitable for
attempted species reintroduction.[11]land populations.[10] Cats are thought to be
primarily responsible for the extinction of 33 species of birds,[better source
needed] and the presence of feral and free-ranging cats makes some otherwise
suitable locations unsuitable for attempted species reintroduction.[11]ght to be
primarily responsible for the extinction of 33 species of birds,[better source
needed] and the presence of feral and free-ranging cats makes some otherwise
suitable locations unsuitable for attempted species reintroduction.[11]This article
is about the domestic dog. For related species known as "dogs", see Canidae. For
other uses, see Dog (disambiguation).
"Doggie" redirects here. For the Danish artist, see Doggie (artist).
Domestic dog
Temporal range: Late Pleistocene � Present (14,700�0 years BP)
Collage of Nine Dogs.jpg
Selection of the different breeds of dog
Conservation status
Domesticated
Scientific classification e
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Canidae
Genus: Canis
Species: C. lupus
Subspecies: C. l. familiaris[1]
Trinomial name
Canis lupus familiaris[1]
Linnaeus, 1758
Synonyms
Canis familiaris Linnaeus, 1758[2][3]

Montage showing the morphological variation of the dog.

The domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris or Canis familiaris)[4] is a member of the
genus Canis (canines), which forms part of the wolf-like canids,[5] and is the most
widely abundant terrestrial carnivore.[6][7][8][9][10] The dog and the extant gray
wolf are sister taxa[11][12][13] as modern wolves are not closely related to the
wolves that were first domesticated,[12][13] which implies that the direct ancestor
of the dog is extinct.[14] The dog was the first species to be domesticated[13][15]
and has been selectively bred over millennia for various behaviors, sensory
capabilities, and physical attributes.[16]

Their long association with humans has led dogs to be uniquely attuned to human
behavior[17] and they are able to thrive on a starch-rich diet that would be
inadequate for other canid species.[18] New research seems to show that dogs have
mutations to equivalent genetic regions in humans where changes are known to
trigger high sociability and somewhat reduced intelligence.[19][20] Dogs vary
widely in shape, size and colors.[21] Dogs perform many roles for people, such as
hunting, herding, pulling loads, protection, assisting police and military,
companionship and, more recently, aiding handicapped individuals and therapeutic
roles. This influence on human society has given them the sobriquet "man's best
friend".

Contents [hide]
1 Etymology
2 Terminology
3 Taxonomy
4 Origin
5 Biology
5.1 Anatomy
5.1.1 Size and weight
5.1.2 Senses
5.1.3 Coat
5.1.4 Tail
5.1.5 Differences from wolves
5.2 Health
5.2.1 Lifespan
5.3 Reproduction
5.3.1 Neutering
5.4 Inbreeding depression
6 Intelligence, behavior and communication
6.1 Intelligence
6.2 Behavior
6.3 Communication
7 Ecology
7.1 Population and habitat
7.2 Competitors
7.3 Diet
8 Breeds
9 Roles with humans
9.1 Early roles
9.2 As pets
9.3 Work
9.4 Sports and shows
9.5 As food
9.6 Health risks to humans
9.7 Health benefits for humans
9.8 Medical detection dogs
9.9 Shelters
10 Cultural depictions
10.1 Mythology
10.2 Literature
10.3 Religion
10.4 Art
11 See also
12 Notes
13 References
14 Bibliography
15 Further reading
16 External links
Etymology
The term "domestic dog" is generally used for both domesticated and feral
varieties. The English word dog comes from Middle English dogge, from Old English
docga, a "powerful dog breed".[22] The term may possibly derive from Proto-Germanic
*dukkon, represented in Old English finger-docce ("finger-muscle").[23] The word
also shows the familiar petname diminutive -ga also seen in frogga "frog", picga
"pig", stagga "stag", wicga "beetle, worm", among others.[24] Piotr Gasiorowski has
suggested that Old English *docga is actually derived from Old English colour
adjective dox.[25]

In 14th-century England, hound (from Old English: hund) was the general word for
all domestic canines, and dog referred to a subtype of hound, a group including the
mastiff. It is believed this "dog" type was so common, it eventually became the
prototype of the category "hound".[26] By the 16th century, dog had become the
general word, and hound had begun to refer only to types used for hunting.[27] The
word "hound" is ultimately derived from the Proto-Indo-European word *kwon-, "dog".
[28] This semantic shift may be compared with in German, where the corresponding
words Dogge and Hund kept their original meanings. The term *?won- may ultimately
derive from the earliest layer of Proto-Indo-European vocabulary.[29]

A male canine is referred to as a "dog", while a female is traditionally called a

"bitch" (derived from Middle English bicche, from Old English bicce, ultimately
from Old Norse bikkja. Since the word "bitch" has taken on derogatory connotations,
nowadays it is less commonly used to refer to dogs).[citation needed] The father of
a litter is called the sire, and the mother is called the dam. The process of birth
is "whelping", from the Old English word hwelp; the modern English word "whelp" is
an alternative term for puppy.[30] A litter refers to the multiple offspring at one
birth which are called puppies or pups from the French poup�e, "doll", which has
mostly replaced the older term "whelp".[31]

Terminology
The term dog typically is applied both to the species (or subspecies) as a whole,
and any adult male member of the same.
An adult female is a bitch.
An adult male capable of reproduction is a stud.
An adult female capable of reproduction is a brood bitch, or brood mother.
Immature males or females (that is, animals that are incapable of reproduction) are
pups or puppies.
A group of pups from the same gestation period is a litter.
The father of a litter is a sire. It is possible for one litter to have multiple
sires.
The mother of a litter is a dam.
A group of any three or more adults is a pack.
Taxonomy
In 1758, the taxonomist Linnaeus published in his Systema Naturae the
classification of species. Canis is a Latin word meaning dog,[32] and under this
genus he listed the dog-like carnivores including domestic dogs, wolves, and
jackals. He classified the domestic dog as Canis familiaris (Linnaeus, 1758) and on
the next page as a separate species he classified the wolf as Canis lupus
(Linnaeus, 1758).[2] In 1926, the International Commission on Zoological
Nomenclature (ICZN) ruled in Opinion 91 that the domestic dog Canis familiaris
(Linnaeus, 1758) be placed on its official list.[3] In 1957, the ICZN ruled in
Opinion 451 that Canis dingo (Meyer, 1793) was the name to be used for the dingo
and that this be placed on its official list.[33] These are the scientific names
for the dog and dingo that appear on the Official Lists and Indexes of Names in
Zoology of the ICZN.[34]

In 1978, a review to minimize the number species listed under genus Canis proposed
that "Canis dingo is now generally regarded as a distinctive feral domestic dog.
Canis familiaris is used for domestic dogs, although taxonomically it should
probably be synonymous with Canis lupus."[35] In 1982, the first edition of Mammal
Species of the World included a note under Canis lupus with the comment: "Probably
ancestor of and conspecific with the domestic dog, familiaris. Canis familiaris has
page priority over Canis lupus, but both were published simultaneously in Linnaeus
(1758), and Canis lupus has been universally used for this species".[36] In the
same year, an application was made to the ICZN to reclassify the dingo to Canis
lupus dingo because it was proposed that the wolf (Canis lupus) was the ancestor of
dogs and dingoes, however the application was rejected.[37]

In 2003, the ICZN ruled in its Opinion 2027 that the "This article is about the
domestic dog. For related species known as "dogs", see Canidae. For other uses, see
Dog (disambiguation).
"Doggie" redirects here. For the Danish artist, see Doggie (artist).
Domestic dog
Temporal range: Late Pleistocene � Present (14,700�0 years BP)
Collage of Nine Dogs.jpg
Selection of the different breeds of dog
Conservation status
Domesticated
Scientific classification e
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Canidae
Genus: Canis
Species: C. lupus
Subspecies: C. l. familiaris[1]
Trinomial name
Canis lupus familiaris[1]
Linnaeus, 1758
Synonyms
Canis familiaris Linnaeus, 1758[2][3]

Montage showing the morphological variation of the dog.

The domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris or Canis familiaris)[4] is a member of the
genus Canis (canines), which forms part of the wolf-like canids,[5] and is the most
widely abundant terrestrial carnivore.[6][7][8][9][10] The dog and the extant gray
wolf are sister taxa[11][12][13] as modern wolves are not closely related to the
wolves that were first domesticated,[12][13] which implies that the direct ancestor
of the dog is extinct.[14] The dog was the first species to be domesticated[13][15]
and has been selectively bred over millennia for various behaviors, sensory
capabilities, and physical attributes.[16]

Their long association with humans has led dogs to be uniquely attuned to human
behavior[17] and they are able to thrive on a starch-rich diet that would be
inadequate for other canid species.[18] New research seems to show that dogs have
mutations to equivalent genetic regions in humans where changes are known to
trigger high sociability and somewhat reduced intelligence.[19][20] Dogs vary
widely in shape, size and colors.[21] Dogs perform many roles for people, such as
hunting, herding, pulling loads, protection, assisting police and military,
companionship and, more recently, aiding handicapped individuals and therapeutic
roles. This influence on human society has given them the sobriquet "man's best
friend".

Contents [hide]
1 Etymology
2 Terminology
3 Taxonomy
4 Origin
5 Biology
5.1 Anatomy
5.1.1 Size and weight
5.1.2 Senses
5.1.3 Coat
5.1.4 Tail
5.1.5 Differences from wolves
5.2 Health
5.2.1 Lifespan
5.3 Reproduction
5.3.1 Neutering
5.4 Inbreeding depression
6 Intelligence, behavior and communication
6.1 Intelligence
6.2 Behavior
6.3 Communication
7 Ecology
7.1 Population and habitat
7.2 Competitors
7.3 Diet
8 Breeds
9 Roles with humans
9.1 Early roles
9.2 As pets
9.3 Work
9.4 Sports and shows
9.5 As food
9.6 Health risks to humans
9.7 Health benefits for humans
9.8 Medical detection dogs
9.9 Shelters
10 Cultural depictions
10.1 Mythology
10.2 Literature
10.3 Religion
10.4 Art
11 See also
12 Notes
13 References
14 Bibliography
15 Further reading
16 External links
Etymology
The term "domestic dog" is generally used for both domesticated and feral
varieties. The English word dog comes from Middle English dogge, from Old English
docga, a "powerful dog breed".[22] The term may possibly derive from Proto-Germanic
*dukkon, represented in Old English finger-docce ("finger-muscle").[23] The word
also shows the familiar petname diminutive -ga also seen in frogga "frog", picga
"pig", stagga "stag", wicga "beetle, worm", among others.[24] Piotr Gasiorowski has
suggested that Old English *docga is actually derived from Old English colour
adjective dox.[25]

In 14th-century England, hound (from Old English: hund) was the general word for
all domestic canines, and dog referred to a subtype of hound, a group including the
mastiff. It is believed this "dog" type was so common, it eventually became the
prototype of the category "hound".[26] By the 16th century, dog had become the
general word, and hound had begun to refer only to types used for hunting.[27] The
word "hound" is ultimately derived from the Proto-Indo-European word *kwon-, "dog".
[28] This semantic shift may be compared with in German, where the corresponding
words Dogge and Hund kept their original meanings. The term *?won- may ultimately
derive from the earliest layer of Proto-Indo-European vocabulary.[29]

A male canine is referred to as a "dog", while a female is traditionally called a

"bitch" (derived from Middle English bicche, from Old English bicce, ultimately
from Old Norse bikkja. Since the word "bitch" has taken on derogatory connotations,
nowadays it is less commonly used to refer to dogs).[citation needed] The father of
a litter is called the sire, and the mother is called the dam. The process of birth
is "whelping", from the Old English word hwelp; the modern English word "whelp" is
an alternative term for puppy.[30] A litter refers to the multiple offspring at one
birth which are called puppies or pups from the French poup�e, "doll", which has
mostly replaced the older term "whelp".[31]

Terminology
The term dog typically is applied both to the species (or subspecies) as a whole,
and any adult male member of the same.
An adult female is a bitch.
An adult male capable of reproduction is a stud.
An adult female capable of reproduction is a brood bitch, or brood mother.
Immature males or females (that is, animals that are incapable of reproduction) are
pups or puppies.
A group of pups from the same gestation period is a litter.
The father of a litter is a sire. It is possible for one litter to have multiple
sires.
The mother of a litter is a dam.
A group of any three or more adults is a pack.
Taxonomy
In 1758, the taxonomist Linnaeus published in his Systema Naturae the
classification of species. Canis is a Latin word meaning dog,[32] and under this
genus he listed the dog-like carnivores including domestic dogs, wolves, and
jackals. He classified the domestic dog as Canis familiaris (Linnaeus, 1758) and on
the next page as a separate species he classified the wolf as Canis lupus
(Linnaeus, 1758).[2] In 1926, the International Commission on Zoological
Nomenclature (ICZN) ruled in Opinion 91 that the domestic dog Canis familiaris
(Linnaeus, 1758) be placed on its official list.[3] In 1957, the ICZN ruled in
Opinion 451 that Canis dingo (Meyer, 1793) was the name to be used for the dingo
and that this be placed on its official list.[33] These are the scientific names
for the dog and dingo that appear on the Official Lists and Indexes of Names in
Zoology of the ICZN.[34]

In 1978, a review to minimize the number species listed under genus Canis proposed
that "Canis dingo is now generally regarded as a distinctive feral domestic dog.
Canis familiaris is used for domestic dogs, although taxonomically it should
probably be synonymous with Canis lupus."[35] In 1982, the first edition of Mammal
Species of the World included a note under Canis lupus with the comment: "Probably
ancestor of and conspecific with the domestic dog, familiaris. Canis familiaris has
page priority over Canis lupus, but both were published simultaneously in Linnaeus
(1758), and Canis lupus has been universally used for this species".[36] In the
same year, an application was made to the ICZN to reclassify the dingo to Canis
lupus dingo because it was proposed that the wolf (Canis lupus) was the ancestor of
dogs and dingoes, however the application was rejected.[37]

In 2003, the ICZN ruled in its Opinion 2027 that the "name of a wild species...is
not invalid by virtue of being predated by the name based on a domestic form."
Additionally, the ICZN placed the taxon Canis lupus as a conserved name on the
official list under this opinion.[38] In the third editThis article is about the
domestic dog. For related species known as "dogs", see Canidae. For other uses, see
Dog (disambiguation).
"Doggie" redirects here. For the Danish artist, see Doggie (artist).
Domestic dog
Temporal range: Late Pleistocene � Present (14,700�0 years BP)
Collage of Nine Dogs.jpg
Selection of the different breeds of dog
Conservation status
Domesticated
Scientific classification e
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Canidae
Genus: Canis
Species: C. lupus
Subspecies: C. l. familiaris[1]
Trinomial name
Canis lupus familiaris[1]
Linnaeus, 1758
Synonyms
Canis familiaris Linnaeus, 1758[2][3]

Montage showing the morphological variation of the dog.

The domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris or Canis familiaris)[4] is a member of the
genus Canis (canines), which forms part of the wolf-like canids,[5] and is the most
widely abundant terrestrial carnivore.[6][7][8][9][10] The dog and the extant gray
wolf are sister taxa[11][12][13] as modern wolves are not closely related to the
wolves that were first domesticated,[12][13] which implies that the direct ancestor
of the dog is extinct.[14] The dog was the first species to be domesticated[13][15]
and has been selectively bred over millennia for various behaviors, sensory
capabilities, and physical attributes.[16]

Their long association with humans has led dogs to be uniquely attuned to human
behavior[17] and they are able to thrive on a starch-rich diet that would be
inadequate for other canid species.[18] New research seems to show that dogs have
mutations to equivalent genetic regions in humans where changes are known to
trigger high sociability and somewhat reduced intelligence.[19][20] Dogs vary
widely in shape, size and colors.[21] Dogs perform many roles for people, such as
hunting, herding, pulling loads, protection, assisting police and military,
companionship and, more recently, aiding handicapped individuals and therapeutic
roles. This influence on human society has given them the sobriquet "man's best
friend".

Contents [hide]
1 Etymology
2 Terminology
3 Taxonomy
4 Origin
5 Biology
5.1 Anatomy
5.1.1 Size and weight
5.1.2 Senses
5.1.3 Coat
5.1.4 Tail
5.1.5 Differences from wolves
5.2 Health
5.2.1 Lifespan
5.3 Reproduction
5.3.1 Neutering
5.4 Inbreeding depression
6 Intelligence, behavior and communication
6.1 Intelligence
6.2 Behavior
6.3 Communication
7 Ecology
7.1 Population and habitat
7.2 Competitors
7.3 Diet
8 Breeds
9 Roles with humans
9.1 Early roles
9.2 As pets
9.3 Work
9.4 Sports and shows
9.5 As food
9.6 Health risks to humans
9.7 Health benefits for humans
9.8 Medical detection dogs
9.9 Shelters
10 Cultural depictions
10.1 Mythology
10.2 Literature
10.3 Religion
10.4 Art
11 See also
12 Notes
13 References
14 Bibliography
15 Further reading
16 External links
Etymology
The term "domestic dog" is generally used for both domesticated and feral
varieties. The English word dog comes from Middle English dogge, from Old English
docga, a "powerful dog breed".[22] The term may possibly derive from Proto-Germanic
*dukkon, represented in Old English finger-docce ("finger-muscle").[23] The word
also shows the familiar petname diminutive -ga also seen in frogga "frog", picga
"pig", stagga "stag", wicga "beetle, worm", among others.[24] Piotr Gasiorowski has
suggested that Old English *docga is actually derived from Old English colour
adjective dox.[25]

In 14th-century England, hound (from Old English: hund) was the general word for
all domestic canines, and dog referred to a subtype of hound, a group including the
mastiff. It is believed this "dog" type was so common, it eventually became the
prototype of the category "hound".[26] By the 16th century, dog had become the
general word, and hound had begun to refer only to types used for hunting.[27] The
word "hound" is ultimately derived from the Proto-Indo-European word *kwon-, "dog".
[28] This semantic shift may be compared with in German, where the corresponding
words Dogge and Hund kept their original meanings. The term *?won- may ultimately
derive from the earliest layer of Proto-Indo-European vocabulary.[29]

A male canine is referred to as a "dog", while a female is traditionally called a

"bitch" (derived from Middle English bicche, from Old English bicce, ultimately
from Old Norse bikkja. Since the word "bitch" has taken on derogatory connotations,
nowadays it is less commonly used to refer to dogs).[citation needed] The father of
a litter is called the sire, and the mother is called the dam. The process of birth
is "whelping", from the Old English word hwelp; the modern English word "whelp" is
an alternative term for puppy.[30] A litter refers to the multiple offspring at one
birth which are called puppies or pups from the French poup�e, "doll", which has
mostly replaced the older term "whelp".[31]

Terminology
The term dog typically is applied both to the species (or subspecies) as a whole,
and any adult male member of the same.
An adult female is a bitch.
An adult male capable of reproduction is a stud.
An adult female capable of reproduction is a brood bitch, or brood mother.
Immature males or females (that is, animals that are incapable of reproduction) are
pups or puppies.
A group of pups from the same gestation period is a litter.
The father of a litter is a sire. It is possible for one litter to have multiple
sires.
The mother of a litter is a dam.
A group of any three or more adults is a pack.
Taxonomy
In 1758, the taxonomist Linnaeus published in his Systema Naturae the
classification of species. Canis is a Latin word meaning dog,[32] and under this
genus he listed the dog-like carnivores including domestic dogs, wolves, and
jackals. He classified the domestic dog as Canis familiaris (Linnaeus, 1758) and on
the next page as a separate species he classified the wolf as Canis lupus
(Linnaeus, 1758).[2] In 1926, the International Commission on Zoological
Nomenclature (ICZN) ruled in Opinion 91 that the domestic dog Canis familiaris
(Linnaeus, 1758) be placed on its official list.[3] In 1957, the ICZN ruled in
Opinion 451 that Canis dingo (Meyer, 1793) was the name to be used for the dingo
and that this be placed on its official list.[33] These are the scientific names
for the dog and dingo that appear on the Official Lists and Indexes of Names in
Zoology of the ICZN.[34]

In 1978, a review to minimize the number species listed under genus Canis proposed
that "Canis dingo is now generally regarded as a distinctive feral domestic dog.
Canis familiaris is used for domestic dogs, although taxonomically it should
probably be synonymous with Canis lupus."[35] In 1982, the first edition of Mammal
Species of the World included a note under Canis lupus with the comment: "Probably
ancestor of and conspecific with the domestic dog, familiaris. Canis familiaris has
page priority over Canis lupus, but both were published simultaneously in Linnaeus
(1758), and Canis lupus has been universally used for this species".[36] In the
same year, an application was made to the ICZN to reclassify the dingo to Canis
lupus dingo because it was proposed that the wolf (Canis lupus) was the ancestor of
dogs and dingoes, however the application was rejected.[37]

In 2003, the ICZN ruled in its Opinion 2027 that the "name of a wild species...is
not invalid by virtue of being predated by the name based on a domestic form."
Additionally, the ICZN placed the taxon Canis lupus as a conserved name on the
official list under this opinion.[38] In the third editThis article is about the
domestic dog. For related species known as "dogs", see Canidae. For other uses, see
Dog (disambiguation).
"Doggie" redirects here. For the Danish artist, see Doggie (artist).
Domestic dog
Temporal range: Late Pleistocene � Present (14,700�0 years BP)
Collage of Nine Dogs.jpg
Selection of the different breeds of dog
Conservation status
Domesticated
Scientific classification e
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Canidae
Genus: Canis
Species: C. lupus
Subspecies: C. l. familiaris[1]
Trinomial name
Canis lupus familiaris[1]
Linnaeus, 1758
Synonyms
Canis familiaris Linnaeus, 1758[2][3]

Montage showing the morphological variation of the dog.

The domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris or Canis familiaris)[4] is a member of the
genus Canis (canines), which forms part of the wolf-like canids,[5] and is the most
widely abundant terrestrial carnivore.[6][7][8][9][10] The dog and the extant gray
wolf are sister taxa[11][12][13] as modern wolves are not closely related to the
wolves that were first domesticated,[12][13] which implies that the direct ancestor
of the dog is extinct.[14] The dog was the first species to be domesticated[13][15]
and has been selectively bred over millennia for various behaviors, sensory
capabilities, and physical attributes.[16]

Their long association with humans has led dogs to be uniquely attuned to human
behavior[17] and they are able to thrive on a starch-rich diet that would be
inadequate for other canid species.[18] New research seems to show that dogs have
mutations to equivalent genetic regions in humans where changes are known to
trigger high sociability and somewhat reduced intelligence.[19][20] Dogs vary
widely in shape, size and colors.[21] Dogs perform many roles for people, such as
hunting, herding, pulling loads, protection, assisting police and military,
companionship and, more recently, aiding handicapped individuals and therapeutic
roles. This influence on human society has given them the sobriquet "man's best
friend".

Contents [hide]
1 Etymology
2 Terminology
3 Taxonomy
4 Origin
5 Biology
5.1 Anatomy
5.1.1 Size and weight
5.1.2 Senses
5.1.3 Coat
5.1.4 Tail
5.1.5 Differences from wolves
5.2 Health
5.2.1 Lifespan
5.3 Reproduction
5.3.1 Neutering
5.4 Inbreeding depression
6 Intelligence, behavior and communication
6.1 Intelligence
6.2 Behavior
6.3 Communication
7 Ecology
7.1 Population and habitat
7.2 Competitors
7.3 Diet
8 Breeds
9 Roles with humans
9.1 Early roles
9.2 As pets
9.3 Work
9.4 Sports and shows
9.5 As food
9.6 Health risks to humans
9.7 Health benefits for humans
9.8 Medical detection dogs
9.9 Shelters
10 Cultural depictions
10.1 Mythology
10.2 Literature
10.3 Religion
10.4 Art
11 See also
12 Notes
13 References
14 Bibliography
15 Further reading
16 External links
Etymology
The term "domestic dog" is generally used for both domesticated and feral
varieties. The English word dog comes from Middle English dogge, from Old English
docga, a "powerful dog breed".[22] The term may possibly derive from Proto-Germanic
*dukkon, represented in Old English finger-docce ("finger-muscle").[23] The word
also shows the familiar petname diminutive -ga also seen in frogga "frog", picga
"pig", stagga "stag", wicga "beetle, worm", among others.[24] Piotr Gasiorowski has
suggested that Old English *docga is actually derived from Old English colour
adjective dox.[25]

In 14th-century England, hound (from Old English: hund) was the general word for
all domestic canines, and dog referred to a subtype of hound, a group including the
mastiff. It is believed this "dog" type was so common, it eventually became the
prototype of the category "hound".[26] By the 16th century, dog had become the
general word, and hound had begun to refer only to types used for hunting.[27] The
word "hound" is ultimately derived from the Proto-Indo-European word *kwon-, "dog".
[28] This semantic shift may be compared with in German, where the corresponding
words Dogge and Hund kept their original meanings. The term *?won- may ultimately
derive from the earliest layer of Proto-Indo-European vocabulary.[29]

A male canine is referred to as a "dog", while a female is traditionally called a

"bitch" (derived from Middle English bicche, from Old English bicce, ultimately
from Old Norse bikkja. Since the word "bitch" has taken on derogatory connotations,
nowadays it is less commonly used to refer to dogs).[citation needed] The father of
a litter is called the sire, and the mother is called the dam. The process of birth
is "whelping", from the Old English word hwelp; the modern English word "whelp" is
an alternative term for puppy.[30] A litter refers to the multiple offspring at one
birth which are called puppies or pups from the French poup�e, "doll", which has
mostly replaced the older term "whelp".[31]

Terminology
The term dog typically is applied both to the species (or subspecies) as a whole,
and any adult male member of the same.
An adult female is a bitch.
An adult male capable of reproduction is a stud.
An adult female capable of reproduction is a brood bitch, or brood mother.
Immature males or females (that is, animals that are incapable of reproduction) are
pups or puppies.
A group of pups from the same gestation period is a litter.
The father of a litter is a sire. It is possible for one litter to have multiple
sires.
The mother of a litter is a dam.
A group of any three or more adults is a pack.
Taxonomy
In 1758, the taxonomist Linnaeus published in his Systema Naturae the
classification of species. Canis is a Latin word meaning dog,[32] and under this
genus he listed the dog-like carnivores including domestic dogs, wolves, and
jackals. He classified the domestic dog as Canis familiaris (Linnaeus, 1758) and on
the next page as a separate species he classified the wolf as Canis lupus
(Linnaeus, 1758).[2] In 1926, the International Commission on Zoological
Nomenclature (ICZN) ruled in Opinion 91 that the domestic dog Canis familiaris
(Linnaeus, 1758) be placed on its official list.[3] In 1957, the ICZN ruled in
Opinion 451 that Canis dingo (Meyer, 1793) was the name to be used foThis article
is about the domestic dog. For related species known as "dogs", see Canidae. For
other uses, see Dog (disambiguation).
"Doggie" redirects here. For the Danish artist, see Doggie (artist).
Domestic dog
Temporal range: Late Pleistocene � Present (14,700�0 years BP)
Collage of Nine Dogs.jpg
Selection of the different breeds of dog
Conservation status
Domesticated
Scientific classification e
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Canidae
Genus: Canis
Species: C. lupus
Subspecies: C. l. familiaris[1]
Trinomial name
Canis lupus familiaris[1]
Linnaeus, 1758
Synonyms
Canis familiaris Linnaeus, 1758[2][3]

Montage showing the morphological variation of the dog.

The domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris or Canis familiaris)[4] is a member of the
genus Canis (canines), which forms part of the wolf-like canids,[5] and is the most
widely abundant terrestrial carnivore.[6][7][8][9][10] The dog and the extant gray
wolf are sister taxa[11][12][13] as modern wolves are not closely related to the
wolves that were first domesticated,[12][13] which implies that the direct ancestor
of the dog is extinct.[14] The dog was the first species to be domesticated[13][15]
and has been selectively bred over millennia for various behaviors, sensory
capabilities, and physical attributes.[16]
Their long association with humans has led dogs to be uniquely attuned to human
behavior[17] and they are able to thrive on a starch-rich diet that would be
inadequate for other canid species.[18] New research seems to show that dogs have
mutations to equivalent genetic regions in humans where changes are known to
trigger high sociability and somewhat reduced intelligence.[19][20] Dogs vary
widely in shape, size and colors.[21] Dogs perform many roles for people, such as
hunting, herding, pulling loads, protection, assisting police and military,
companionship and, more recently, aiding handicapped individuals and therapeutic
roles. This influence on human society has given them the sobriquet "man's best
friend".

Contents [hide]
1 Etymology
2 Terminology
3 Taxonomy
4 Origin
5 Biology
5.1 Anatomy
5.1.1 Size and weight
5.1.2 Senses
5.1.3 Coat
5.1.4 Tail
5.1.5 Differences from wolves
5.2 Health
5.2.1 Lifespan
5.3 Reproduction
5.3.1 Neutering
5.4 Inbreeding depression
6 Intelligence, behavior and communication
6.1 Intelligence
6.2 Behavior
6.3 Communication
7 Ecology
7.1 Population and habitat
7.2 Competitors
7.3 Diet
8 Breeds
9 Roles with humans
9.1 Early roles
9.2 As pets
9.3 Work
9.4 Sports and shows
9.5 As food
9.6 Health risks to humans
9.7 Health benefits for humans
9.8 Medical detection dogs
9.9 Shelters
10 Cultural depictions
10.1 Mythology
10.2 Literature
10.3 Religion
10.4 Art
11 See also
12 Notes
13 References
14 Bibliography
15 Further reading
16 External links
Etymology
The term "domestic dog" is generally used for both domesticated and feral
varieties. The English word dog comes from Middle English dogge, from Old English
docga, a "powerful dog breed".[22] The term may possibly derive from Proto-Germanic
*dukkon, represented in Old English finger-docce ("finger-muscle").[23] The word
also shows the familiar petname diminutive -ga also seen in frogga "frog", picga
"pig", stagga "stag", wicga "beetle, worm", among others.[24] Piotr Gasiorowski has
suggested that Old English *docga is actually derived from Old English colour
adjective dox.[25]

In 14th-century England, hound (from Old English: hund) was the general word for
all domestic canines, and dog referred to a subtype of hound, a group including the
mastiff. It is believed this "dog" type was so common, it eventually became the
prototype of the category "hound".[26] By the 16th century, dog had become the
general word, and hound had begun to refer only to types used for hunting.[27] The
word "hound" is ultimately derived from the Proto-Indo-European word *kwon-, "dog".
[28] This semantic shift may be compared with in German, where the corresponding
words Dogge and Hund kept their original meanings. The term *?won- may ultimately
derive from the earliest layer of Proto-Indo-European vocabulary.[29]

A male canine is referred to as a "dog", while a female is traditionally called a

"bitch" (derived from Middle English bicche, from Old English bicce, ultimately
from Old Norse bikkja. Since the word "bitch" has taken on derogatory connotations,
nowadays it is less commonly used to refer to dogs).[citation needed] The father of
a litter is called the sire, and the mother is called the dam. The process of birth
is "whelping", from the Old English word hwelp; the modern English word "whelp" is
an alternative term for puppy.[30] A litter refers to the multiple offspring at one
birth which are called puppies or pups from the French poup�e, "doll", which has
mostly replaced the older term "whelp".[31]

Terminology
The term dog typically is applied both to the species (or subspecies) as a whole,
and any adult male member of the same.
An adult female is a bitch.
An adult male capable of reproduction is a stud.
An adult female capable of reproduction is a brood bitch, or brood mother.
Immature males or females (that is, animals that are incapable of reproduction) are
pups or puppies.
A group of pups from the same gestation period is a litter.
The father of a litter is a sire. It is possible for one litter to have multiple
sires.
The mother of a litter is a dam.
A group of any three or more adults is a pack.
Taxonomy
In 1758, the taxonomist Linnaeus published in his Systema Naturae the
classification of species. Canis is a Latin word meaning dog,[32] and under this
genus he listed the dog-like carnivores including domestic dogs, wolves, and
jackals. He classified the domestic dog as Canis familiaris (Linnaeus, 1758) and on
the next page as a separate species he classified the wolf as Canis lupus
(Linnaeus, 1758).[2] In 1926, the International Commission on Zoological
Nomenclature (ICZN) ruled in Opinion 91 that the domestic dog Canis familiaris
(Linnaeus, 1758) be placed on its official list.[3] In 1957, the ICZN ruled in
Opinion 451 that Canis dingo (Meyer, 1793) was the name to be used for the dingo
and that this be placed on its official list.[33] These are the scientific names
for the dog and dingo that appear on the Official Lists and Indexes of Names in
Zoology of the ICZN.[34]

In 1978, a review to minimize the number species listed under genus Canis proposed
that "Canis dingo is now generally regarded as a distinctive feral domestic dog.
Canis familiaris is used for domestic dogs, although taxonomically it should
probably be synonymous with Canis lupus."[35] In 1982, the first edition of Mammal
Species of the World included a note under Canis lupus with the comment: "Probably
ancestor of and conspecific with the domestic dog, familiaris. Canis familiaris has
page priority over Canis lupus, but both were published simultaneously in Linnaeus
(1758), and Canis lupus has been universally used for this species".[36] In the
same year, an application was made to the ICZN to reclassify the dingo to Canis
lupus dingo because it was proposed that the wolf (Canis lupus) was the ancestor of
dogs and dingoes, however the application was rejected.[37]

In 2003, the ICZN ruled in its Opinion 2027 that the "name of a wild species...is
not invalid by virtue of being predated by the name based on a domestic form."
Additionally, the ICZN placed the taxon Canis lupus as a conserved name on the
official list under this opinion.[38] In the third editThis article is about the
domestic dog. For related species known as "dogs", see Canidae. For other uses, see
Dog (disambiguation).
"Doggie" redirects here. For the Danish artist, see Doggie (artist).
Domestic dog
Temporal range: Late Pleistocene � Present (14,700�0 years BP)
Collage of Nine Dogs.jpg
Selection of the different breeds of dog
Conservation status
Domesticated
Scientific classification e
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Canidae
Genus: Canis
Species: C. lupus
Subspecies: C. l. familiaris[1]
Trinomial name
Canis lupus familiaris[1]
Linnaeus, 1758
Synonyms
Canis familiaris Linnaeus, 1758[2][3]

Montage showing the morphological variation of the dog.

The domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris or Canis familiaris)[4] is a member of the
genus Canis (canines), which forms part of the wolf-like canids,[5] and is the most
widely abundant terrestrial carnivore.[6][7][8][9][10] The dog and the extant gray
wolf are sister taxa[11][12][13] as modern wolves are not closely related to the
wolves that were first domesticated,[12][13] which implies that the direct ancestor
of the dog is extinct.[14] The dog was the first species to be domesticated[13][15]
and has been selectively bred over millennia for various behaviors, sensory
capabilities, and physical attributes.[16]

Their long association with humans has led dogs to be uniquely attuned to human
behavior[17] and they are able to thrive on a starch-rich diet that would be
inadequate for other canid species.[18] New research seems to show that dogs have
mutations to equivalent genetic regions in humans where changes are known to
trigger high sociability and somewhat reduced intelligence.[19][20] Dogs vary
widely in shape, size and colors.[21] Dogs perform many roles for people, such as
hunting, herding, pulling loads, protection, assisting police and military,
companionship and, more recently, aiding handicapped individuals and therapeutic
roles. This influence on human society has given them the sobriquet "man's best
friend".
Contents [hide]
1 Etymology
2 Terminology
3 Taxonomy
4 Origin
5 Biology
5.1 Anatomy
5.1.1 Size and weight
5.1.2 Senses
5.1.3 Coat
5.1.4 Tail
5.1.5 Differences from wolves
5.2 Health
5.2.1 Lifespan
5.3 Reproduction
5.3.1 Neutering
5.4 Inbreeding depression
6 Intelligence, behavior and communication
6.1 Intelligence
6.2 Behavior
6.3 Communication
7 Ecology
7.1 Population and habitat
7.2 Competitors
7.3 Diet
8 Breeds
9 Roles with humans
9.1 Early roles
9.2 As pets
9.3 Work
9.4 Sports and shows
9.5 As food
9.6 Health risks to humans
9.7 Health benefits for humans
9.8 Medical detection dogs
9.9 Shelters
10 Cultural depictions
10.1 Mythology
10.2 Literature
10.3 Religion
10.4 Art
11 See also
12 Notes
13 References
14 Bibliography
15 Further reading
16 External links
Etymology
The term "domestic dog" is generally used for both domesticated and feral
varieties. The English word dog comes from Middle English dogge, from Old English
docga, a "powerful dog breed".[22] The term may possibly derive from Proto-Germanic
*dukkon, represented in Old English finger-docce ("finger-muscle").[23] The word
also shows the familiar petname diminutive -ga also seen in frogga "frog", picga
"pig", stagga "stag", wicga "beetle, worm", among others.[24] Piotr Gasiorowski has
suggested that Old English *docga is actually derived from Old English colour
adjective dox.[25]

In 14th-century England, hound (from Old English: hund) was the general word for
all domestic canines, and dog referred to a subtype of hound, a group including the
mastiff. It is believed this "dog" type was so common, it eventually became the
prototype of the category "hound".[26] By the 16th century, dog had become the
general word, and hound had begun to refer only to types used for hunting.[27] The
word "hound" is ultimately derived from the Proto-Indo-European word *kwon-, "dog".
[28] This semantic shift may be compared with in German, where the corresponding
words Dogge and Hund kept their original meanings. The term *?won- may ultimately
derive from the earliest layer of Proto-Indo-European vocabulary.[29]

A male canine is referred to as a "dog", while a female is traditionally called a

"bitch" (derived from Middle English bicche, from Old English bicce, ultimately
from Old Norse bikkja. Since the word "bitch" has taken on derogatory connotations,
nowadays it is less commonly used to refer to dogs).[citation needed] The father of
a litter is called the sire, and the mother is called the dam. The process of birth
is "whelping", from the Old English word hwelp; the modern English word "whelp" is
an alternative term for puppy.[30] A litter refers to the multiple offspring at one
birth which are called puppies or pups from the French poup�e, "doll", which has
mostly replaced the older term "whelp".[31]

Terminology
The term dog typically is applied both to the species (or subspecies) as a whole,
and any adult male member of the same.
An adult female is a bitch.
An adult male capable of reproduction is a stud.
An adult female capable of reproduction is a brood bitch, or brood mother.
Immature males or females (that is, animals that are incapable of reproduction) are
pups or puppies.
A group of pups from the same gestation period is a litter.
The father of a litter is a sire. It is possible for one litter to have multiple
sires.
The mother of a litter is a dam.
A group of any three or more adults is a pack.
Taxonomy
In 1758, the taxonomist Linnaeus published in his Systema Naturae the
classification of species. Canis is a Latin word meaning dog,[32] and under this
genus he listed the dog-like carnivores including domestic dogs, wolves, and
jackals. He classified the domestic dog as Canis familiaris (Linnaeus, 1758) and on
the next page as a separate species he classified the wolf as Canis lupus
(Linnaeus, 1758).[2] In 1926, the International Commission on Zoological
Nomenclature (ICZN) ruled in Opinion 91 that the domestic dog Canis familiaris
(Linnaeus, 1758) be placed on its official list.[3] In 1957, the ICZN ruled in
Opinion 451 that Canis dingo (Meyer, 1793) was the name to be used for the dingo
and that this be placed on its official list.[33] These are the scientific names
for the dog and dingo that appear on the Official Lists and Indexes of Names in
Zoology of the ICZN.[34]

In 1978, a review to minimize the number species listed under genus Canis proposed
that "Canis dingo is now generally regarded as a distinctive feral domestic dog.
Canis familiaris is used for domestic dogs, although taxonomically it should
probably be synonymous with Canis lupus."[35] In 1982, the first edition of Mammal
Species of the World included a note under Canis lupus with the comment: "Probably
ancestor of and conspecific with the domestic dog, familiaris. Canis familiaris has
page priority over Canis lupus, but both were published simultaneously in Linnaeus
(1758), and Canis lupus has been universally used for this species".[36] In the
same year, an application was made to the ICZN to reclassify the dingo to Canis
lupus dingo because it was proposed that the wolf (Canis lupus) was the ancestor of
dogs and dingoes, however the application was rejected.[37]

In 2003, the ICZN ruled in its Opinion 2027 that the "name of a wild speThis
article is about the domestic dog. For related species known as "dogs", see
Canidae. For other uses, see Dog (disambiguation).
"Doggie" redirects here. For the Danish artist, see Doggie (artist).
Domestic dog
Temporal range: Late Pleistocene � Present (14,700�0 years BP)
Collage of Nine Dogs.jpg
Selection of the different breeds of dog
Conservation status
Domesticated
Scientific classification e
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Canidae
Genus: Canis
Species: C. lupus
Subspecies: C. l. familiaris[1]
Trinomial name
Canis lupus familiaris[1]
Linnaeus, 1758
Synonyms
Canis familiaris Linnaeus, 1758[2][3]

Montage showing the morphological variation of the dog.

The domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris or Canis familiaris)[4] is a member of the
genus Canis (canines), which forms part of the wolf-like canids,[5] and is the most
widely abundant terrestrial carnivore.[6][7][8][9][10] The dog and the extant gray
wolf are sister taxa[11][12][13] as modern wolves are not closely related to the
wolves that were first domesticated,[12][13] which implies that the direct ancestor
of the dog is extinct.[14] The dog was the first species to be domesticated[13][15]
and has been selectively bred over millennia for various behaviors, sensory
capabilities, and physical attributes.[16]

Their long association with humans has led dogs to be uniquely attuned to human
behavior[17] and they are able to thrive on a starch-rich diet that would be
inadequate for other canid species.[18] New research seems to show that dogs have
mutations to equivalent genetic regions in humans where changes are known to
trigger high sociability and somewhat reduced intelligence.[19][20] Dogs vary
widely in shape, size and colors.[21] Dogs perform many roles for people, such as
hunting, herding, pulling loads, protection, assisting police and military,
companionship and, more recently, aiding handicapped individuals and therapeutic
roles. This influence on human society has given them the sobriquet "man's best
friend".

Contents [hide]
1 Etymology
2 Terminology
3 Taxonomy
4 Origin
5 Biology
5.1 Anatomy
5.1.1 Size and weight
5.1.2 Senses
5.1.3 Coat
5.1.4 Tail
5.1.5 Differences from wolves
5.2 Health
5.2.1 Lifespan
5.3 Reproduction
5.3.1 Neutering
5.4 Inbreeding depression
6 Intelligence, behavior and communication
6.1 Intelligence
6.2 Behavior
6.3 Communication
7 Ecology
7.1 Population and habitat
7.2 Competitors
7.3 Diet
8 Breeds
9 Roles with humans
9.1 Early roles
9.2 As pets
9.3 Work
9.4 Sports and shows
9.5 As food
9.6 Health risks to humans
9.7 Health benefits for humans
9.8 Medical detection dogs
9.9 Shelters
10 Cultural depictions
10.1 Mythology
10.2 Literature
10.3 Religion
10.4 Art
11 See also
12 Notes
13 References
14 Bibliography
15 Further reading
16 External links
Etymology
The term "domestic dog" is generally used for both domesticated and feral
varieties. The English word dog comes from Middle English dogge, from Old English
docga, a "powerful dog breed".[22] The term may possibly derive from Proto-Germanic
*dukkon, represented in Old English finger-docce ("finger-muscle").[23] The word
also shows the familiar petname diminutive -ga also seen in frogga "frog", picga
"pig", stagga "stag", wicga "beetle, worm", among others.[24] Piotr Gasiorowski has
suggested that Old English *docga is actually derived from Old English colour
adjective dox.[25]

In 14th-century England, hound (from Old English: hund) was the general word for
all domestic canines, and dog referred to a subtype of hound, a group including the
mastiff. It is believed this "dog" type was so common, it eventually became the
prototype of the category "hound".[26] By the 16th century, dog had become the
general word, and hound had begun to refer only to types used for hunting.[27] The
word "hound" is ultimately derived from the Proto-Indo-European word *kwon-, "dog".
[28] This semantic shift may be compared with in German, where the corresponding
words Dogge and Hund kept their original meanings. The term *?won- may ultimately
derive from the earliest layer of Proto-Indo-European vocabulary.[29]

A male canine is referred to as a "dog", while a female is traditionally called a

"bitch" (derived from Middle English bicche, from Old English bicce, ultimately
from Old Norse bikkja. Since the word "bitch" has taken on derogatory connotations,
nowadays it is less commonly used to refer to dogs).[citation needed] The father of
a litter is called the sire, and the mother is called the dam. The process of birth
is "whelping", from the Old English word hwelp; the modern English word "whelp" is
an alternative term for puppy.[30] A litter refers to the multiple offspring at one
birth which are called puppies or pups from the French poup�e, "doll", which has
mostly replaced the older term "whelp".[31]

Terminology
The term dog typically is applied both to the species (or subspecies) as a whole,
and any adult male member of the same.
An adult female is a bitch.
An adult male capable of reproduction is a stud.
An adult female capable of reproduction is a brood bitch, or brood mother.
Immature males or females (that is, animals that are incapable of reproduction) are
pups or puppies.
A group of pups from the same gestation period is a litter.
The father of a litter is a sire. It is possible for one litter to have multiple
sires.
The mother of a litter is a dam.
A group of any three or more adults is a pack.
Taxonomy
In 1758, the taxonomist Linnaeus published in his Systema Naturae the
classification of species. Canis is a Latin word meaning dog,[32] and under this
genus he listed the dog-like carnivores including domestic dogs, wolves, and
jackals. He classified the domestic dog as Canis familiaris (Linnaeus, 1758) and on
the next page as a separate species he classified the wolf as Canis lupus
(Linnaeus, 1758).[2] In 1926, the International Commission on Zoological
Nomenclature (ICZN) ruled in Opinion 91 that the domestic dog Canis familiaris
(Linnaeus, 1758) be placed on its official list.[3] In 1957, the ICZN ruled in
Opinion 451 that Canis dingo (Meyer, 1793) was the name to be used for the dingo
and that this be placed on its official list.[33] These are the scientific names
for the dog and dingo that appear on the Official Lists and Indexes of Names in
Zoology of the ICZN.[34]

In 1978, a review to minimize the number species listed under genus Canis proposed
that "Canis dingo is now generally regarded as a distinctive feral domestic dog.
Canis familiaris is used for domestic dogs, although taxonomically it should
probably be synonymous with Canis lupus."[35] In 1982, the first edition of Mammal
Species of the World included a note under Canis lupus with the comment: "Probably
ancestor of and conspecific with the domestic dog, familiaris. Canis familiaris has
page priority over Canis lupus, but both were published simultaneously in Linnaeus
(1758), and Canis lupus has been universally used for this species".[36] In the
same year, an application was made to the ICZN to reclassify the dingo to Canis
lupus dingo because it was proposed that the wolf (Canis lupus) was the ancestor of
dogs and dingoes, however the application was rejected.[37]

In 2003, the ICZN ruled in its Opinion 2027 that the "name of a wild species...is
not invalid by virtue of being predated by the name based on a domestic form."
Additionally, the ICZN placed the taxon Canis lupus as a conserved name on the
official list under this opinion.[38] In the third editThis article is about the
domestic dog. For related species known as "dogs", see Canidae. For other uses, see
Dog (disambiguation).
"Doggie" redirects here. For the Danish artist, see Doggie (artist).
Domestic dog
Temporal range: Late Pleistocene � Present (14,700�0 years BP)
Collage of Nine Dogs.jpg
Selection of the different breeds of dog
Conservation status
Domesticated
Scientific classification e
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Canidae
Genus: Canis
Species: C. lupus
Subspecies: C. l. familiaris[1]
Trinomial name
Canis lupus familiaris[1]
Linnaeus, 1758
Synonyms
Canis familiaris Linnaeus, 1758[2][3]

Montage showing the morphological variation of the dog.

The domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris or Canis familiaris)[4] is a member of the
genus Canis (canines), which forms part of the wolf-like canids,[5] and is the most
widely abundant terrestrial carnivore.[6][7][8][9][10] The dog and the extant gray
wolf are sister taxa[11][12][13] as modern wolves are not closely related to the
wolves that were first domesticated,[12][13] which implies that the direct ancestor
of the dog is extinct.[14] The dog was the first species to be domesticated[13][15]
and has been selectively bred over millennia for various behaviors, sensory
capabilities, and physical attributes.[16]

Their long association with humans has led dogs to be uniquely attuned to human
behavior[17] and they are able to thrive on a starch-rich diet that would be
inadequate for other canid species.[18] New research seems to show that dogs have
mutations to equivalent genetic regions in humans where changes are known to
trigger high sociability and somewhat reduced intelligence.[19][20] Dogs vary
widely in shape, size and colors.[21] Dogs perform many roles for people, such as
hunting, herding, pulling loads, protection, assisting police and military,
companionship and, more recently, aiding handicapped individuals and therapeutic
roles. This influence on human society has given them the sobriquet "man's best
friend".

Contents [hide]
1 Etymology
2 Terminology
3 Taxonomy
4 Origin
5 Biology
5.1 Anatomy
5.1.1 Size and weight
5.1.2 Senses
5.1.3 Coat
5.1.4 Tail
5.1.5 Differences from wolves
5.2 Health
5.2.1 Lifespan
5.3 Reproduction
5.3.1 Neutering
5.4 Inbreeding depression
6 Intelligence, behavior and communication
6.1 Intelligence
6.2 Behavior
6.3 Communication
7 Ecology
7.1 Population and habitat
7.2 Competitors
7.3 Diet
8 Breeds
9 Roles with humans
9.1 Early roles
9.2 As pets
9.3 Work
9.4 Sports and shows
9.5 As food
9.6 Health risks to humans
9.7 Health benefits for humans
9.8 Medical detection dogs
9.9 Shelters
10 Cultural depictions
10.1 Mythology
10.2 Literature
10.3 Religion
10.4 Art
11 See also
12 Notes
13 References
14 Bibliography
15 Further reading
16 External links
Etymology
The term "domestic dog" is generally used for both domesticated and feral
varieties. The English word dog comes from Middle English dogge, from Old English
docga, a "powerful dog breed".[22] The term may possibly derive from Proto-Germanic
*dukkon, represented in Old English finger-docce ("finger-muscle").[23] The word
also shows the familiar petname diminutive -ga also seen in frogga "frog", picga
"pig", stagga "stag", wicga "beetle, worm", among others.[24] Piotr Gasiorowski has
suggested that Old English *docga is actually derived from Old English colour
adjective dox.[25]

In 14th-century England, hound (from Old English: hund) was the general word for
all domestic canines, and dog referred to a subtype of hound, a group including the
mastiff. It is believed this "dog" type was so common, it eventually became the
prototype of the category "hound".[26] By the 16th century, dog had become the
general word, and hound had begun to refer only to types used for hunting.[27] The
word "hound" is ultimately derived from the Proto-Indo-European word *kwon-, "dog".
[28] This semantic shift may be compared with in German, where the corresponding
words Dogge and Hund kept their original meanings. The term *?won- may ultimately
derive from the earliest layer of Proto-Indo-European vocabulary.[29]

A male canine is referred to as a "dog", while a female is traditionally called a

"bitch" (derived from Middle English bicche, from Old English bicce, ultimately
from Old Norse bikkja. Since the word "bitch" has taken on derogatory connotations,
nowadays it is less commonly used to refer to dogs).[citation needed] The father of
a litter is called the sire, and the mother is called the dam. The process of birth
is "whelping", from the Old English word hwelp; the modern English word "whelp" is
an alternative term for puppy.[30] A litter refers to the multiple offspring at one
birth which are called puppies or pups from the French poup�e, "doll", which has
mostly replaced the older term "whelp".[31]

Terminology
The term dog typically is applied both to the species (or subspecies) as a whole,
and any adult male member of the same.
An adult female is a bitch.
An adult male capable of reproduction is a stud.
An adult female capable of reproduction is a brood bitch, or brood mother.
Immature males or females (that is, animals that are incapable of reproduction) are
pups or puppies.
A group of pups from the same gestation period is a litter.
The father of a litter is a sire. It is possible for one litter to have multiple
sires.
The mother of a litter is a dam.
A group of any three or more adults is a pack.
Taxonomy
In 1758, the taxonomist Linnaeus published in his Systema Naturae the
classification of species. Canis is a Latin word meaning dog,[32] and under this
genus he listed the dog-like carnivores including domestic dogs, wolves, and
jackals. He classified the domestic dog as Canis familiaris (Linnaeus, 1758) and on
the next page as a separate species he classified the wolf as Canis lupus
(Linnaeus, 1758).[2] In 1926, the International Commission on Zoological
Nomenclature (ICZN) ruled in Opinion 91 that the domestic dog Canis familiaris
(Linnaeus, 1758) be placed on its official list.[3] In 1957, the ICZN ruled in
Opinion 451 that Canis dingo (Meyer, 1793) was the name to be used for the dingo
and that this be placed on its official list.[33] These are the scientific names
for the dog and dingo that appear on the Official Lists and Indexes of Names in
Zoology of the ICZN.[34]

In 1978, a review to minimize the number species listed under genus Canis proposed
that "Canis dingo is now generally regarded as a distinctive feral domestic dog.
Canis familiaris is used for domestic dogs, although taxonomically it should
probably be synonymous with Canis lupus."[35] In 1982, the first edition of Mammal
Species of the World included a note under Canis lupus with the comment: "Probably
ancestor of and conspecific with the domestic dog, familiaris. Canis familiaris has
page priority over Canis lupus, but both were published simultaneously in Linnaeus
(1758), and Canis lupus has been universally used for this species".[36] In the
same year, an application was made to the ICZN to reclassify the dingo to Canis
lupus dingo because it was proposed that the wolf (Canis lupus) was the ancestor of
dogs and dingoes, however the application was rejected.[37]

In 2003, the ICZN ruled in its Opinion 2027 that the "name of a wild species...is
not invalid by virtue of being predated by the name based on a domestic form."
Additionally, the ICZN placed the taxon Canis lupus as a conserved name on the
official list under this opinion.[38] In the third editThis article is about the
domestic dog. For related species known as "dogs", see Canidae. For other uses, see
Dog (disambiguation).
"Doggie" redirects here. For the Danish artist, see Doggie (artist).
Domestic dog
Temporal range: Late Pleistocene � Present (14,700�0 years BP)
Collage of Nine Dogs.jpg
Selection of the different breeds of dog
Conservation status
Domesticated
Scientific classification e
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Canidae
Genus: Canis
Species: C. lupus
Subspecies: C. l. familiaris[1]
Trinomial name
Canis lupus familiaris[1]
Linnaeus, 1758
Synonyms
Canis familiaris Linnaeus, 1758[2][3]

Montage showing the morphological variation of the dog.

The domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris or Canis familiaris)[4] is a member of the
genus Canis (canines), which forms part of the wolf-like canids,[5] and is the most
widely abundant terrestrial carnivore.[6][7][8][9][10] The dog and the extant gray
wolf are sister taxa[11][12][13] as modern wolves are not closely related to the
wolves that were first domesticated,[12][13] which implies that the direct ancestor
of the dog is extinct.[14] The dog was the first species to be domesticated[13][15]
and has been selectively bred over millennia for various behaviors, sensory
capabilities, and physical attributes.[16]

Their long association with humans has led dogs to be uniquely attuned to human
behavior[17] and they are able to thrive on a starch-rich diet that would be
inadequate for other canid species.[18] New research seems to show that dogs have
mutations to equivalent genetic regions in humans where changes are known to
trigger high sociability and somewhat reduced intelligence.[19][20] Dogs vary
widely in shape, size and colors.[21] Dogs perform many roles for people, such as
hunting, herding, pulling loads, protection, assisting police and military,
companionship and, more recently, aiding handicapped individuals and therapeutic
roles. This influence on human society has given them the sobriquet "man's best
friend".

Contents [hide]
1 Etymology
2 Terminology
3 Taxonomy
4 Origin
5 Biology
5.1 Anatomy
5.1.1 Size and weight
5.1.2 Senses
5.1.3 Coat
5.1.4 Tail
5.1.5 Differences from wolves
5.2 Health
5.2.1 Lifespan
5.3 Reproduction
5.3.1 Neutering
5.4 Inbreeding depression
6 Intelligence, behavior and communication
6.1 Intelligence
6.2 Behavior
6.3 Communication
7 Ecology
7.1 Population and habitat
7.2 Competitors
7.3 Diet
8 Breeds
9 Roles with humans
9.1 Early roles
9.2 As pets
9.3 Work
9.4 Sports and shows
9.5 As food
9.6 Health risks to humans
9.7 Health benefits for humans
9.8 Medical detection dogs
9.9 Shelters
10 Cultural depictions
10.1 Mythology
10.2 Literature
10.3 Religion
10.4 Art
11 See also
12 Notes
13 References
14 Bibliography
15 Further reading
16 External links
Etymology
The term "domestic dog" is generally used for both domesticated and feral
varieties. The English word dog comes from Middle English dogge, from Old English
docga, a "powerful dog breed".[22] The term may possibly derive from Proto-Germanic
*dukkon, represented in Old English finger-docce ("finger-muscle").[23] The word
also shows the familiar petname diminutive -ga also seen in frogga "frog", picga
"pig", stagga "stag", wicga "beetle, worm", among others.[24] Piotr Gasiorowski has
suggested that Old English *docga is actually derived from Old English colour
adjective dox.[25]

In 14th-century England, hound (from Old English: hund) was the general word for
all domestic canines, and dog referred to a subtype of hound, a group including the
mastiff. It is believed this "dog" type was so common, it eventually became the
prototype of the category "hound".[26] By the 16th century, dog had become the
general word, and hound had begun to refer only to types used for hunting.[27] The
word "hound" is ultimately derived from the Proto-Indo-European word *kwon-, "dog".
[28] This semantic shift may be compared with in German, where the corresponding
words Dogge and Hund kept their original meanings. The term *?won- may ultimately
derive from the earliest layer of Proto-Indo-European vocabulary.[29]

A male canine is referred to as a "dog", while a female is traditionally called a

"bitch" (derived from Middle English bicche, from Old English bicce, ultimately
from Old Norse bikkja. Since the word "bitch" has taken on derogatory connotations,
nowadays it is less commonly used to refer to dogs).[citation needed] The father of
a litter is called the sire, and the mother is called the dam. The process of birth
is "whelping", from the Old English word hwelp; the modern English word "whelp" is
an alternative term for puppy.[30] A litter refers to the multiple offspring at one
birth which are called puppies or pups from the French poup�e, "doll", which has
mostly replaced the older term "whelp".[31]

Terminology
The term dog typically is applied both to the species (or subspecies) as a whole,
and any adult male member of the same.
An adult female is a bitch.
An adult male capable of reproduction is a stud.
An adult female capable of reproduction is a brood bitch, or brood mother.
Immature males or females (that is, animals that are incapable of reproduction) are
pups or puppies.
A group of pups from the same gestation period is a litter.
The father of a litter is a sire. It is possible for one litter to have multiple
sires.
The mother of a litter is a dam.
A group of any three or more adults is a pack.
Taxonomy
In 1758, the taxonomist Linnaeus published in his Systema Naturae the
classification of species. Canis is a Latin word meaning dog,[32] and under this
genus he listed the dog-like carnivores including domestic dogs, wolves, and
jackals. He classified the domestic dog as Canis familiaris (Linnaeus, 1758) and on
the next page as a separate species he classified the wolf as Canis lupus
(Linnaeus, 1758).[2] In 1926, the International Commission on Zoological
Nomenclature (ICZN) ruled in Opinion 91 that the domestic dog Canis familiaris
(Linnaeus, 1758) be placed on its official list.[3] In 1957, the ICZN ruled in
Opinion 451 that Canis dingo (Meyer, 1793) was the name to be used for the dingo
and that this be placed on its official list.[33] These are the scientific names
for the dog and dingo that appear on the Official Lists and Indexes of Names in
Zoology of the ICZN.[34]

In 1978, a review to minimize the number species listed under genus Canis proposed
that "Canis dingo is now generally regarded as a distinctive feral domestic dog.
Canis familiaris is used for domestic dogs, although taxonomically it should
probably be synonymous with Canis lupus."[35] In 1982, the first edition of Mammal
Species of the World included a note under Canis lupus with the comment: "Probably
ancestor of and conspecific with the domestic dog, familiaris. Canis familiaris has
page priority over Canis lupus, but both were published simultaneously in Linnaeus
(1758), and Canis lupus has been universally used for this species".[36] In the
same year, an application was made to the ICZN to reclassify the dingo to Canis
lupus dingo because it was proposed that the wolf (Canis lupus) was the ancestor of
dogs and dingoes, however the application was rejected.[37]

In 2003, the ICZN ruled in its Opinion 2027 that the "name of a wild species...is
not invalid by virtue of being predated byThis article is about the domestic dog.
For related species known as "dogs", see Canidae. For other uses, see Dog
(disambiguation).
"Doggie" redirects here. For the Danish artist, see Doggie (artist).
Domestic dog
Temporal range: Late Pleistocene � Present (14,700�0 years BP)
Collage of Nine Dogs.jpg
Selection of the different breeds of dog
Conservation status
Domesticated
Scientific classification e
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Canidae
Genus: Canis
Species: C. lupus
Subspecies: C. l. familiaris[1]
Trinomial name
Canis lupus familiaris[1]
Linnaeus, 1758
Synonyms
Canis familiaris Linnaeus, 1758[2][3]

Montage showing the morphological variation of the dog.

The domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris or Canis familiaris)[4] is a member of the
genus Canis (canines), which forms part of the wolf-like canids,[5] and is the most
widely abundant terrestrial carnivore.[6][7][8][9][10] The dog and the extant gray
wolf are sister taxa[11][12][13] as modern wolves are not closely related to the
wolves that were first domesticated,[12][13] which implies that the direct ancestor
of the dog is extinct.[14] The dog was the first species to be domesticated[13][15]
and has been selectively bred over millennia for various behaviors, sensory
capabilities, and physical attributes.[16]
Their long association with humans has led dogs to be uniquely attuned to human
behavior[17] and they are able to thrive on a starch-rich diet that would be
inadequate for other canid species.[18] New research seems to show that dogs have
mutations to equivalent genetic regions in humans where changes are known to
trigger high sociability and somewhat reduced intelligence.[19][20] Dogs vary
widely in shape, size and colors.[21] Dogs perform many roles for people, such as
hunting, herding, pulling loads, protection, assisting police and military,
companionship and, more recently, aiding handicapped individuals and therapeutic
roles. This influence on human society has given them the sobriquet "man's best
friend".

Contents [hide]
1 Etymology
2 Terminology
3 Taxonomy
4 Origin
5 Biology
5.1 Anatomy
5.1.1 Size and weight
5.1.2 Senses
5.1.3 Coat
5.1.4 Tail
5.1.5 Differences from wolves
5.2 Health
5.2.1 Lifespan
5.3 Reproduction
5.3.1 Neutering
5.4 Inbreeding depression
6 Intelligence, behavior and communication
6.1 Intelligence
6.2 Behavior
6.3 Communication
7 Ecology
7.1 Population and habitat
7.2 Competitors
7.3 Diet
8 Breeds
9 Roles with humans
9.1 Early roles
9.2 As pets
9.3 Work
9.4 Sports and shows
9.5 As food
9.6 Health risks to humans
9.7 Health benefits for humans
9.8 Medical detection dogs
9.9 Shelters
10 Cultural depictions
10.1 Mythology
10.2 Literature
10.3 Religion
10.4 Art
11 See also
12 Notes
13 References
14 Bibliography
15 Further reading
16 External links
Etymology
The term "domestic dog" is generally used for both domesticated and feral
varieties. The English word dog comes from Middle English dogge, from Old English
docga, a "powerful dog breed".[22] The term may possibly derive from Proto-Germanic
*dukkon, represented in Old English finger-docce ("finger-muscle").[23] The word
also shows the familiar petname diminutive -ga also seen in frogga "frog", picga
"pig", stagga "stag", wicga "beetle, worm", among others.[24] Piotr Gasiorowski has
suggested that Old English *docga is actually derived from Old English colour
adjective dox.[25]

In 14th-century England, hound (from Old English: hund) was the general word for
all domestic canines, and dog referred to a subtype of hound, a group including the
mastiff. It is believed this "dog" type was so common, it eventually became the
prototype of the category "hound".[26] By the 16th century, dog had become the
general word, and hound had begun to refer only to types used for hunting.[27] The
word "hound" is ultimately derived from the Proto-Indo-European word *kwon-, "dog".
[28] This semantic shift may be compared with in German, where the corresponding
words Dogge and Hund kept their original meanings. The term *?won- may ultimately
derive from the earliest layer of Proto-Indo-European vocabulary.[29]

A male canine is referred to as a "dog", while a female is traditionally called a

"bitch" (derived from Middle English bicche, from Old English bicce, ultimately
from Old Norse bikkja. Since the word "bitch" has taken on derogatory connotations,
nowadays it is less commonly used to refer to dogs).[citation needed] The father of
a litter is called the sire, and the mother is called the dam. The process of birth
is "whelping", from the Old English word hwelp; the modern English word "whelp" is
an alternative term for puppy.[30] A litter refers to the multiple offspring at one
birth which are called puppies or pups from the French poup�e, "doll", which has
mostly replaced the older term "whelp".[31]

Terminology
The term dog typically is applied both to the species (or subspecies) as a whole,
and any adult male member of the same.
An adult female is a bitch.
An adult male capable of reproduction is a stud.
An adult female capable of reproduction is a brood bitch, or brood mother.
Immature males or females (that is, animals that are incapable of reproduction) are
pups or puppies.
A group of pups from the same gestation period is a litter.
The father of a litter is a sire. It is possible for one litter to have multiple
sires.
The mother of a litter is a dam.
A group of any three or more adults is a pack.
Taxonomy
In 1758, the taxonomist Linnaeus published in his Systema Naturae the
classification of species. Canis is a Latin word meaning dog,[32] and under this
genus he listed the dog-like carnivores including domestic dogs, wolves, and
jackals. He classified the domestic dog as Canis familiaris (Linnaeus, 1758) and on
the next page as a separate species he classified the wolf as Canis lupus
(Linnaeus, 1758).[2] In 1926, the International Commission on Zoological
Nomenclature (ICZN) ruled in Opinion 91 that the domestic dog Canis familiaris
(Linnaeus, 1758) be placed on its official list.[3] In 1957, the ICZN ruled in
Opinion 451 that Canis dingo (Meyer, 1793) was the name to be used for the dingo
and that this be placed on its official list.[33] These are the scientific names
for the dog and dingo that appear on the Official Lists and Indexes of Names in
Zoology of the ICZN.[34]

In 1978, a review to minimize the number species listed under genus Canis proposed
that "Canis dingo is now generally regarded as a distinctive feral domestic dog.
Canis familiaris is used for domestic dogs, although taxonomically it should
probably be synonymous with Canis lupus."[35] In 1982, the first edition of Mammal
Species of the World included a note under Canis lupus with the comment: "Probably
ancestor of and conspecific with the domestic dog, familiaris. Canis familiaris has
page priority over Canis lupus, but both were published simultaneously in Linnaeus
(1758), and Canis lupus has been universally used for this species".[36] In the
same year, an application was made to the ICZN to reclassify the dingo to Canis
lupus dingo because it was proposed that the wolf (Canis lupus) was the ancestor of
dogs and dingoes, however the application was rejected.[37]

In 2003, the ICZN ruled in its Opinion 2027 that the "name of a wild species...is
not invalid by virtue of being predated by the name based on a domestic form."
Additionally, the ICZN placed the taxon Canis lupus as a conserved name on the
official list under this opinion.[38] In the third editThis article is about the
domestic dog. For related species known as "dogs", see Canidae. For other uses, see
Dog (disambiguation).
"Doggie" redirects here. For the Danish artist, see Doggie (artist).
Domestic dog
Temporal range: Late Pleistocene � Present (14,700�0 years BP)
Collage of Nine Dogs.jpg
Selection of the different breeds of dog
Conservation status
Domesticated
Scientific classification e
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Canidae
Genus: Canis
Species: C. lupus
Subspecies: C. l. familiaris[1]
Trinomial name
Canis lupus familiaris[1]
Linnaeus, 1758
Synonyms
Canis familiaris Linnaeus, 1758[2][3]

Montage showing the morphological variation of the dog.

The domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris or Canis familiaris)[4] is a member of the
genus Canis (canines), which forms part of the wolf-like canids,[5] and is the most
widely abundant terrestrial carnivore.[6][7][8][9][10] The dog and the extant gray
wolf are sister taxa[11][12][13] as modern wolves are not closely related to the
wolves that were first domesticated,[12][13] which implies that the direct ancestor
of the dog is extinct.[14] The dog was the first species to be domesticated[13][15]
and has been selectively bred over millennia for various behaviors, sensory
capabilities, and physical attributes.[16]

Their long association with humans has led dogs to be uniquely attuned to human
behavior[17] and they are able to thrive on a starch-rich diet that would be
inadequate for other canid species.[18] New research seems to show that dogs have
mutations to equivalent genetic regions in humans where changes are known to
trigger high sociability and somewhat reduced intelligence.[19][20] Dogs vary
widely in shape, size and colors.[21] Dogs perform many roles for people, such as
hunting, herding, pulling loads, protection, assisting police and military,
companionship and, more recently, aiding handicapped individuals and therapeutic
roles. This influence on human society has given them the sobriquet "man's best
friend".
Contents [hide]
1 Etymology
2 Terminology
3 Taxonomy
4 Origin
5 Biology
5.1 Anatomy
5.1.1 Size and weight
5.1.2 Senses
5.1.3 Coat
5.1.4 Tail
5.1.5 Differences from wolves
5.2 Health
5.2.1 Lifespan
5.3 Reproduction
5.3.1 Neutering
5.4 Inbreeding depression
6 Intelligence, behavior and communication
6.1 Intelligence
6.2 Behavior
6.3 Communication
7 Ecology
7.1 Population and habitat
7.2 Competitors
7.3 Diet
8 Breeds
9 Roles with humans
9.1 Early roles
9.2 As pets
9.3 Work
9.4 Sports and shows
9.5 As food
9.6 Health risks to humans
9.7 Health benefits for humans
9.8 Medical detection dogs
9.9 Shelters
10 Cultural depictions
10.1 Mythology
10.2 Literature
10.3 Religion
10.4 Art
11 See also
12 Notes
13 References
14 Bibliography
15 Further reading
16 External links
Etymology
The term "domestic dog" is generally used for both domesticated and feral
varieties. The English word dog comes from Middle English dogge, from Old English
docga, a "powerful dog breed".[22] The term may possibly derive from Proto-Germanic
*dukkon, represented in Old English finger-docce ("finger-muscle").[23] The word
also shows the familiar petname diminutive -ga also seen in frogga "frog", picga
"pig", stagga "stag", wicga "beetle, worm", among others.[24] Piotr Gasiorowski has
suggested that Old English *docga is actually derived from Old English colour
adjective dox.[25]

In 14th-century England, hound (from Old English: hund) was the general word for
all domestic canines, and dog referred to a subtype of hound, a group including the
mastiff. It is believed this "dog" type was so common, it eventually became the
prototype of the category "hound".[26] By the 16th century, dog had become the
general word, and hound had begun to refer only to types used for hunting.[27] The
word "hound" is ultimately derived from the Proto-Indo-European word *kwon-, "dog".
[28] This semantic shift may be compared with in German, where the corresponding
words Dogge and Hund kept their original meanings. The term *?won- may ultimately
derive from the earliest layer of Proto-Indo-European vocabulary.[29]

A male canine is referred to as a "dog", while a female is traditionally called a

"bitch" (derived from Middle English bicche, from Old English bicce, ultimately
from Old Norse bikkja. Since the word "bitch" has taken on derogatory connotations,
nowadays it is less commonly used to refer to dogs).[citation needed] The father of
a litter is called the sire, and the mother is called the dam. The process of birth
is "whelping", from the Old English word hwelp; the modern English word "whelp" is
an alternative term for puppy.[30] A litter refers to the multiple offspring at one
birth which are called puppies or pups from the French poup�e, "doll", which has
mostly replaced the older term "whelp".[31]

Terminology
The term dog typically is applied both to the species (or subspecies) as a whole,
and any adult male member of the same.
An adult female is a bitch.
An adult male capable of reproduction is a stud.
An adult female capable of reproduction is a brood bitch, or brood mother.
Immature males or females (that is, animals that are incapable of reproduction) are
pups or puppies.
A group of pups from the same gestation period is a litter.
The father of a litter is a sire. It is possible for one litter to have multiple
sires.
The mother of a litter is a dam.
A group of any three or more adults is a pack.
Taxonomy
In 1758, the taxonomist Linnaeus published in his Systema Naturae the
classification of species. Canis is a Latin word meaning dog,[32] and under this
genus he listed the dog-like carnivores including domestic dogs, wolves, and
jackals. He classified the domestic dog as Canis familiaris (Linnaeus, 1758) and on
the next page as a separate species he classified the wolf as Canis lupus
(Linnaeus, 1758).[2] In 1926, the International Commission on Zoological
Nomenclature (ICZN) ruled in Opinion 91 that the domestic dog Canis familiaris
(Linnaeus, 1758) be placed on its official list.[3] In 1957, the ICZN ruled in
Opinion 451 that Canis dingo (Meyer, 1793) was the name to be used for the dingo
and that this be placed on its official list.[33] These are the scientific names
for the dog and dingo that appear on the Official Lists and Indexes of Names in
Zoology of the ICZN.[34]

In 1978, a review to minimize the number species listed under genus Canis proposed
that "Canis dingo is now generally regarded as a distinctive feral domestic dog.
Canis familiaris is used for domestic dogs, although taxonomically it should
probably be synonymous with Canis lupus."[35] In 1982, the first edition of Mammal
Species of the World included a note under Canis lupus with the comment: "Probably
ancestor of and conspecific with the domestic dog, familiaris. Canis familiaris has
page priority over Canis lupus, but both were published simultaneously in Linnaeus
(1758), and Canis lupus has been universally used for this species".[36] In the
same year, an application was made to the ICZN to reclassify the dingo to Canis
lupus dingo because it was proposed that the wolf (Canis lupus) was the ancestor of
dogs and dingoes, however the application was rejected.[37]

In 2003, the ICZN ruled in its Opinion 2027 that the "name of a wild species...is
not invalid by virtue of being predated by the name based on a domestic form."
Additionally, the ICZN placed the taxon Canis lupus as a conserved name on the
official list under this opinion.[38] In the third editThis article is about the
domestic dog. For related species known as "dogs", see Canidae. For other uses, see
Dog (disambiguation).
"Doggie" redirects here. For the Danish artist, see Doggie (artist).
Domestic dog
Temporal range: Late Pleistocene � Present (14,700�0 years BP)
Collage of Nine Dogs.jpg
Selection of the different breeds of dog
Conservation status
Domesticated
Scientific classification e
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Canidae
Genus: Canis
Species: C. lupus
Subspecies: C. l. familiaris[1]
Trinomial name
Canis lupus familiaris[1]
Linnaeus, 1758
Synonyms
Canis familiaris Linnaeus, 1758[2][3]

Montage showing the morphological variation of the dog.

The domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris or Canis familiaris)[4] is a member of the
genus Canis (canines), which forms part of the wolf-like canids,[5] and is the most
widely abundant terrestrial carnivore.[6][7][8][9][10] The dog and the extant gray
wolf are sister taxa[11][12][13] as modern wolves are not closely related to the
wolves that were first domesticated,[12][13] which implies that the direct ancestor
of the dog is extinct.[14] The dog was the first species to be domesticated[13][15]
and has been selectively bred over millennia for various behaviors, sensory
capabilities, and physical attributes.[16]

Their long association with humans has led dogs to be uniquely attuned to human
behavior[17] and they are able to thrive on a starch-rich diet that would be
inadequate for other canid species.[18] New research seems to show that dogs have
mutations to equivalent genetic regions in humans where changes are known to
trigger high sociability and somewhat reduced intelligence.[19][20] Dogs vary
widely in shape, size and colors.[21] Dogs perform many roles for people, such as
hunting, herding, pulling loads, protection, assisting police and military,
companionship and, more recently, aiding handicapped individuals and therapeutic
roles. This influence on human society has given them the sobriquet "man's best
friend".

Contents [hide]
1 Etymology
2 Terminology
3 Taxonomy
4 Origin
5 Biology
5.1 Anatomy
5.1.1 Size and weight
5.1.2 Senses
5.1.3 Coat
5.1.4 Tail
5.1.5 Differences from wolves
5.2 Health
5.2.1 Lifespan
5.3 Reproduction
5.3.1 Neutering
5.4 Inbreeding depression
6 Intelligence, behavior and communication
6.1 Intelligence
6.2 Behavior
6.3 Communication
7 Ecology
7.1 Population and habitat
7.2 Competitors
7.3 Diet
8 Breeds
9 Roles with humans
9.1 Early roles
9.2 As pets
9.3 Work
9.4 Sports and shows
9.5 As food
9.6 Health risks to humans
9.7 Health benefits for humans
9.8 Medical detection dogs
9.9 Shelters
10 Cultural depictions
10.1 Mythology
10.2 Literature
10.3 Religion
10.4 Art
11 See also
12 Notes
13 References
14 Bibliography
15 Further reading
16 External links
Etymology
The term "domestic dog" is generally used for both domesticated and feral
varieties. The English word dog comes from Middle English dogge, from Old English
docga, a "powerful dog breed".[22] The term may possibly derive from Proto-Germanic
*dukkon, represented in Old English finger-docce ("finger-muscle").[23] The word
also shows the familiar petname diminutive -ga also seen in frogga "frog", picga
"pig", stagga "stag", wicga "beetle, worm", among others.[24] Piotr Gasiorowski has
suggested that Old English *docga is actually derived from Old English colour
adjective dox.[25]

In 14th-century England, hound (from Old English: hund) was the general word for
all domestic canines, and dog referred to a subtype of hound, a group including the
mastiff. It is believed this "dog" type was so common, it eventually became the
prototype of the category "hound".[26] By the 16th century, dog had become the
general word, and hound had begun to refer only to types used for hunting.[27] The
word "hound" is ultimately derived from the Proto-Indo-European word *kwon-, "dog".
[28] This semantic shift may be compared with in German, where the corresponding
words Dogge and Hund kept their original meanings. The term *?won- may ultimately
derive from the earliest layer of Proto-Indo-European vocabulary.[29]

A male canine is referred to as a "dog", while a female is traditionally called a

"bitch" (derived from Middle English bicche, from Old English bicce, ultimately
from Old Norse bikkja. Since the word "bitch" has taken on derogatory connotations,
nowadays it is less commonly used to refer to dogs).[citation needed] The father of
a litter is called the sire, and the mother is called the dam. The process of birth
is "whelping", from the Old English word hwelp; the modern English word "whelp" is
an alternative term for puppy.[30] A litter refers to the multiple offspring at one
birth which are called puppies or pups from the French poup�e, "doll", which has
mostly replaced the older term "whelp".[31]

Terminology
The term dog typically is applied both to the species (or subspecies) as a whole,
and any adult male member of the same.
An adult female is a bitch.
An adult male capable of reproduction is a stud.
An adult female capable of reproduction is a brood bitch, or brood mother.
Immature males or females (that is, animals that are incapable of reproduction) are
pups or puppies.
A group of pups from the same gestation period is a litter.
The father of a litter is a sire. It is possible for one litter to have multiple
sires.
The mother of a litter is a dam.
A group of any three or more adults is a pack.
Taxonomy
In 1758, the taxonomist Linnaeus published in his Systema Naturae the
classification of species. Canis is a Latin word meaning dog,[32] and under this
genus he listed the dog-like carnivores including domestic dogs, wolves, and
jackals. He classified the domestic dog as Canis familiaris (Linnaeus, 1758) and on
the next page as a separate species he classified the wolf as Canis lupus
(Linnaeus, 1758).[2] In 1926, the International Commission on Zoological
Nomenclature (ICZN) ruled in Opinion 91 that the domestic dog Canis familiaris
(Linnaeus, 1758) be placed on its official list.[3] In 1957, the ICZN ruled in
Opinion 451 that Canis dingo (Meyer, 1793) was the name to be used for the dingo
and that this be placed on its official list.[33] These are the scientific names
for the dog and dingo that appear on the Official Lists and Indexes of Names in
Zoology of the ICZN.[34]

In 1978, a review to minimize the number species listed under genus Canis proposed
that "Canis dingo is now generally regarded as a distinctive feral domestic dog.
Canis familiaris is used for domestic dogs, although taxonomically it should
probably be synonymous with Canis lupus."[35] In 1982, the first edition of Mammal
Species of the World included a note under Canis lupus with the comment: "Probably
ancestor of and conspecific with the domestic dog, familiaris. Canis familiaris has
page priority over Canis lupus, but both were published simultaneously in Linnaeus
(1758), and Canis lupus has been universally used for this species".[36] In the
same year, an application was made to the ICZN to reclassify the dingo to Canis
lupus dingo because it was proposed that the wolf (Canis lupus) was the ancestor of
dogs and dingoes, however the application was rejected.[37]

In 2003, the ICZN ruled in its Opinion 2027 that the "name of a wild species...is
not invalid by virtue of being predated by the name based on a domestic form."
Additionally, the ICZN placed the taxon Canis lupus as a conserved name on the
official list under this opinion.[38] In the third editThis article is about the
domestic dog. For related species known as "dogs", see Canidae. For other uses, see
Dog (disambiguation).
"Doggie" redirects here. For the Danish artist, see Doggie (artist).
Domestic dog
Temporal range: Late Pleistocene � Present (14,700�0 years BP)
Collage of Nine Dogs.jpg
Selection of the different breeds of dog
Conservation status
Domesticated
Scientific classification e
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Canidae
Genus: Canis
Species: C. lupus
Subspecies: C. l. familiaris[1]
Trinomial name
Canis lupus familiaris[1]
Linnaeus, 1758
Synonyms
Canis familiaris Linnaeus, 1758[2][3]

Montage showing the morphological variation of the dog.

The domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris or Canis familiaris)[4] is a member of the
genus Canis (canines), which forms part of the wolf-like canids,[5] and is the most
widely abundant terrestrial carnivore.[6][7][8][9][10] The dog and the extant gray
wolf are sister taxa[11][12][13] as modern wolves are not closely related to the
wolves that were first domesticated,[12][13] which implies that the direct ancestor
of the dog is extinct.[14] The dog was the first species to be domesticated[13][15]
and has been selectively bred over millennia for various behaviors, sensory
capabilities, and physical attributes.[16]

Their long association with humans has led dogs to be uniquely attuned to human
behavior[17] and they are able to thrive on a starch-rich diet that would be
inadequate for other canid species.[18] New research seems to show that dogs have
mutations to equivalent genetic regions in humans where changes are known to
trigger high sociability and somewhat reduced intelligence.[19][20] Dogs vary
widely in shape, size and colors.[21] Dogs perform many roles for people, such as
hunting, herding, pulling loads, protection, assisting police and military,
companionship and, more recently, aiding handicapped individuals and therapeutic
roles. This influence on human society has given them the sobriquet "man's best
friend".

Contents [hide]
1 Etymology
2 Terminology
3 Taxonomy
4 Origin
5 Biology
5.1 Anatomy
5.1.1 Size and weight
5.1.2 Senses
5.1.3 Coat
5.1.4 Tail
5.1.5 Differences from wolves
5.2 Health
5.2.1 Lifespan
5.3 Reproduction
5.3.1 Neutering
5.4 Inbreeding depression
6 Intelligence, behavior and communication
6.1 Intelligence
6.2 Behavior
6.3 Communication
7 Ecology
7.1 Population and habitat
7.2 Competitors
7.3 Diet
8 Breeds
9 Roles with humans
9.1 Early roles
9.2 As pets
9.3 Work
9.4 Sports and shows
9.5 As food
9.6 Health risks to humans
9.7 Health benefits for humans
9.8 Medical detection dogs
9.9 Shelters
10 Cultural depictions
10.1 Mythology
10.2 Literature
10.3 Religion
10.4 Art
11 See also
12 Notes
13 References
14 Bibliography
15 Further reading
16 External links
Etymology
The term "domestic dog" is generally used for both domesticated and feral
varieties. The English word dog comes from Middle English dogge, from Old English
docga, a "powerful dog breed".[22] The term may possibly derive from Proto-Germanic
*dukkon, represented in Old English finger-docce ("finger-muscle").[23] The word
also shows the familiar petname diminutive -ga also seen in frogga "frog", picga
"pig", stagga "stag", wicga "beetle, worm", among others.[24] Piotr Gasiorowski has
suggested that Old English *docga is actually derived from Old English colour
adjective dox.[25]

In 14th-century England, hound (from Old English: hund) was the general word for
all domestic canines, and dog referred to a subtype of hound, a group including the
mastiff. It is believed this "dog" type was so common, it eventually became the
prototype of the category "hound".[26] By the 16th century, dog had become the
general word, and hound had begun to refer only to types used for hunting.[27] The
word "hound" is ultimately derived from the Proto-Indo-European word *kwon-, "dog".
[28] This semantic shift may be compared with in German, where the corresponding
words Dogge and Hund kept their original meanings. The term *?won- may ultimately
derive from the earliest layer of Proto-Indo-European vocabulary.[29]

A male canine is referred to as a "dog", while a female is traditionally called a

"bitch" (derived from Middle English bicche, from Old English bicce, ultimately
from Old Norse bikkja. Since the word "bitch" has taken on derogatory connotations,
nowadays it is less commonly used to refer to dogs).[citation needed] The father of
a litter is called the sire, and the mother is called the dam. The process of birth
is "whelping", from the Old English word hwelp; the modern English word "whelp" is
an alternative term for puppy.[30] A litter refers to the multiple offspring at one
birth which are called puppies or pups from the French poup�e, "doll", which has
mostly replaced the older term "whelp".[31]

Terminology
The term dog typically is applied both to the species (or subspecies) as a whole,
and any adult male member of the same.
An adult female is a bitch.
An adult male capable of reproduction is a stud.
An adult female capable of reproduction is a brood bitch, or brood mother.
Immature males or females (that is, animals that are incapable of reproduction) are
pups or puppies.
A group of pups from the same gestation period is a litter.
The father of a litter is a sire. It is possible for one litter to have multiple
sires.
The mother of a litter is a dam.
A group of any three or more adults is a pack.
Taxonomy
In 1758, the taxonomist Linnaeus published in his Systema Naturae the
classification of species. Canis is a Latin word meaning dog,[32] and under this
genus he listed the dog-like carnivores including domestic dogs, wolves, and
jackals. He classified the domestic dog as Canis familiaris (Linnaeus, 1758) and on
the next page as a separate species he classified the wolf as Canis lupus
(Linnaeus, 1758).[2] In 1926, the International Commission on Zoological
Nomenclature (ICZN) ruled in Opinion 91 that the domestic dog Canis familiaris
(Linnaeus, 1758) be placed on its official list.[3] In 1957, the ICZN ruled in
Opinion 451 that Canis dingo (Meyer, 1793) was the name to be used for the dingo
and that this be placed on its official list.[33] These are the scientific names
for the dog and dingo that appear on the Official Lists and Indexes of Names in
Zoology of the ICZN.[34]

In 1978, a review to minimize the number species listed under genus Canis proposed
that "Canis dingo is now generally regarded as a distinctive feral domestic dog.
Canis familiaris is used for domestic dogs, although taxonomically it should
probably be synonymous with Canis lupus."[35] In 1982, the first edition of Mammal
Species of the World included a note under Canis lupus with the comment: "Probably
ancestor of and conspecific with the domestic dog, familiaris. Canis familiaris has
page priority over Canis lupus, but both were published simultaneously in Linnaeus
(1758), and Canis lupus has been universally used for this species".[36] In the
same year, an application was made to the ICZN to reclassify the dingo to Canis
lupus dingo because it was proposed that the wolf (Canis lupus) was the ancestor of
dogs and dingoes, however the application was rejected.[37]

In 2003, the ICZN ruled in its Opinion 2027 that the "name of a wild species...is
not invalid by virtue of being predated by the name based on a domestic form."
Additionally, the ICZN placed the taxon Canis lupus as a conserved name on the
official list under this opinion.[38] In the third editThis article is about the
domestic dog. For related species known as "dogs", see Canidae. For other uses, see
Dog (disambiguation).
"Doggie" redirects here. For the Danish artist, see Doggie (artist).
Domestic dog
Temporal range: Late Pleistocene � Present (14,700�0 years BP)
Collage of Nine Dogs.jpg
Selection of the different breeds of dog
Conservation status
Domesticated
Scientific classification e
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Canidae
Genus: Canis
Species: C. lupus
Subspecies: C. l. familiaris[1]
Trinomial name
Canis lupus familiaris[1]
Linnaeus, 1758
Synonyms
Canis familiaris Linnaeus, 1758[2][3]

Montage showing the morphological variation of the dog.

The domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris or Canis familiaris)[4] is a member of the
genus Canis (canines), which forms part of the wolf-like canids,[5] and is the most
widely abundant terrestrial carnivore.[6][7][8][9][10] The dog and the extant gray
wolf are sister taxa[11][12][13] as modern wolves are not closely related to the
wolves that were first domesticated,[12][13] which implies that the direct ancestor
of the dog is extinct.[14] The dog was the first species to be domesticated[13][15]
and has been selectively bred over millennia for various behaviors, sensory
capabilities, and physical attributes.[16]

Their long association with humans has led dogs to be uniquely attuned to human
behavior[17] and they are able to thrive on a starch-rich diet that would be
inadequate for other canid species.[18] New research seems to show that dogs have
mutations to equivalent genetic regions in humans where changes are known to
trigger high sociability and somewhat reduced intelligence.[19][20] Dogs vary
widely in shape, size and colors.[21] Dogs perform many roles for people, such as
hunting, herding, pulling loads, protection, assisting police and military,
companionship and, more recently, aiding handicapped individuals and therapeutic
roles. This influence on human society has given them the sobriquet "man's best
friend".

Contents [hide]
1 Etymology
2 Terminology
3 Taxonomy
4 Origin
5 Biology
5.1 Anatomy
5.1.1 Size and weight
5.1.2 Senses
5.1.3 Coat
5.1.4 Tail
5.1.5 Differences from wolves
5.2 Health
5.2.1 Lifespan
5.3 Reproduction
5.3.1 Neutering
5.4 Inbreeding depression
6 Intelligence, behavior and communication
6.1 Intelligence
6.2 Behavior
6.3 Communication
7 Ecology
7.1 Population and habitat
7.2 Competitors
7.3 Diet
8 Breeds
9 Roles with humans
9.1 Early roles
9.2 As pets
9.3 Work
9.4 Sports and shows
9.5 As food
9.6 Health risks to humans
9.7 Health benefits for humans
9.8 Medical detection dogs
9.9 Shelters
10 Cultural depictions
10.1 Mythology
10.2 Literature
10.3 Religion
10.4 Art
11 See also
12 Notes
13 References
14 Bibliography
15 Further reading
16 External links
Etymology
The term "domestic dog" is generally used for both domesticated and feral
varieties. The English word dog comes from Middle English dogge, from Old English
docga, a "powerful dog breed".[22] The term may possibly derive from Proto-Germanic
*dukkon, represented in Old English finger-docce ("finger-muscle").[23] The word
also shows the familiar petname diminutive -ga also seen in frogga "frog", picga
"pig", stagga "stag", wicga "beetle, worm", among others.[24] Piotr Gasiorowski has
suggested that Old English *docga is actually derived from Old English colour
adjective dox.[25]

In 14th-century England, hound (from Old English: hund) was the general word for
all domestic canines, and dog referred to a subtype of hound, a group including the
mastiff. It is believed this "dog" type was so common, it eventually became the
prototype of the category "hound".[26] By the 16th century, dog had become the
general word, and hound had begun to refer only to types used for hunting.[27] The
word "hound" is ultimately derived from the Proto-Indo-European word *kwon-, "dog".
[28] This semantic shift may be compared with in German, where the corresponding
words Dogge and Hund kept their original meanings. The term *?won- may ultimately
derive from the earliest layer of Proto-Indo-European vocabulary.[29]

A male canine is referred to as a "dog", while a female is traditionally called a

"bitch" (derived from Middle English bicche, from Old English bicce, ultimately
from Old Norse bikkja. Since the word "bitch" has taken on derogatory connotations,
nowadays it is less commonly used to refer to dogs).[citation needed] The father of
a litter is called the sire, and the mother is called the dam. The process of birth
is "whelping", from the Old English word hwelp; the modern English word "whelp" is
an alternative term for puppy.[30] A litter refers to the multiple offspring at one
birth which are called puppies or pups from the French poup�e, "doll", which has
mostly replaced the older term "whelp".[31]

Terminology
The term dog typically is applied both to the species (or subspecies) as a whole,
and any adult male member of the same.
An adult female is a bitch.
An adult male capable of reproduction is a stud.
An adult female capable of reproduction is a brood bitch, or brood mother.
Immature males or females (that is, animals that are incapable of reproduction) are
pups or puppies.
A group of pups from the same gestation period is a litter.
The father of a litter is a sire. It is possible for one litter to have multiple
sires.
The mother of a litter is a dam.
A group of any three or more adults is a pack.
Taxonomy
In 1758, the taxonomist Linnaeus published in his Systema Naturae the
classification of species. Canis is a Latin word meaning dog,[32] and under this
genus he listed the dog-like carnivores including domestic dogs, wolves, and
jackals. He classified the domestic dog as Canis familiaris (Linnaeus, 1758) and on
the next page as a separate species he classified the wolf as Canis lupus
(Linnaeus, 1758).[2] In 1926, the International Commission on Zoological
Nomenclature (ICZN) ruled in Opinion 91 that the domestic dog Canis familiaris
(Linnaeus, 1758) be placed on its official list.[3] In 1957, the ICZN ruled in
Opinion 451 that Canis dingo (Meyer, 1793) was the name to be used for the dingo
and that this be placed on its official list.[33] These are the scientific names
for the dog and dingo that appear on the Official Lists and Indexes of Names in
Zoology of the ICZN.[34]

In 1978, a review to minimize the number species listed under genus Canis proposed
that "Canis dingo is now generally regarded as a distinctive feral domestic dog.
Canis familiaris is used for domestic dogs, although taxonomically it should
probably be synonymous with Canis lupus."[35] In 1982, the first edition of Mammal
Species of the World included a note under Canis lupus with the comment: "Probably
ancestor of and conspecific with the domestic dog, familiaris. Canis familiaris has
page priority over Canis lupus, but both were published simultaneously in Linnaeus
(1758), and Canis lupus has been universally used for this species".[36] In the
same year, an application was made to the ICZN to reclassify the dingo to Canis
lupus dingo because it was proposed that the wolf (Canis lupus) was the ancestor of
dogs and dingoes, however the application was rejected.[37]

In 2003, the ICZN ruled in its Opinion 2027 that the "name of a wild species...is
not invalid by virtue of being predated by the name based on a domestic form."
Additionally, the ICZN placed the taxon Canis lupus as a conserved name on the
official list under this opinion.[38] In the third editThis article is about the
domestic dog. For related species known as "dogs", see Canidae. For other uses, see
Dog (disambiguation).
"Doggie" redirects here. For the Danish artist, see Doggie (artist).
Domestic dog
Temporal range: Late Pleistocene � Present (14,700�0 years BP)
Collage of Nine Dogs.jpg
Selection of the different breeds of dog
Conservation status
Domesticated
Scientific classification e
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Canidae
Genus: Canis
Species: C. lupus
Subspecies: C. l. familiaris[1]
Trinomial name
Canis lupus familiaris[1]
Linnaeus, 1758
Synonyms
Canis familiaris Linnaeus, 1758[2][3]

Montage showing the morphological variation of the dog.

The domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris or Canis familiaris)[4] is a member of the
genus Canis (canines), which forms part of the wolf-like canids,[5] and is the most
widely abundant terrestrial carnivore.[6][7][8][9][10] The dog and the extant gray
wolf are sister taxa[11][12][13] as modern wolves are not closely related to the
wolves that were first domesticated,[12][13] which implies that the direct ancestor
of the dog is extinct.[14] The dog was the first species to be domesticated[13][15]
and has been selectively bred over millennia for various behaviors, sensory
capabilities, and physical attributes.[16]

Their long association with humans has led dogs to be uniquely attuned to human
behavior[17] and they are able to thrive on a starch-rich diet that would be
inadequate for other canid species.[18] New research seems to show that dogs have
mutations to equivalent genetic regions in humans where changes are known to
trigger high sociability and somewhat reduced intelligence.[19][20] Dogs vary
widely in shape, size and colors.[21] Dogs perform many roles for people, such as
hunting, herding, pulling loads, protection, assisting police and military,
companionship and, more recently, aiding handicapped individuals and therapeutic
roles. This influence on human society has given them the sobriquet "man's best
friend".

Contents [hide]
1 Etymology
2 Terminology
3 Taxonomy
4 Origin
5 Biology
5.1 Anatomy
5.1.1 Size and weight
5.1.2 Senses
5.1.3 Coat
5.1.4 Tail
5.1.5 Differences from wolves
5.2 Health
5.2.1 Lifespan
5.3 Reproduction
5.3.1 Neutering
5.4 Inbreeding depression
6 Intelligence, behavior and communication
6.1 Intelligence
6.2 Behavior
6.3 Communication
7 Ecology
7.1 Population and habitat
7.2 Competitors
7.3 Diet
8 Breeds
9 Roles with humans
9.1 Early roles
9.2 As pets
9.3 Work
9.4 Sports and shows
9.5 As food
9.6 Health risks to humans
9.7 Health benefits for humans
9.8 Medical detection dogs
9.9 Shelters
10 Cultural depictions
10.1 Mythology
10.2 Literature
10.3 Religion
10.4 Art
11 See also
12 Notes
13 References
14 Bibliography
15 Further reading
16 External links
Etymology
The term "domestic dog" is generally used for both domesticated and feral
varieties. The English word dog comes from Middle English dogge, from Old English
docga, a "powerful dog breed".[22] The term may possibly derive from Proto-Germanic
*dukkon, represented in Old English finger-docce ("finger-muscle").[23] The word
also shows the familiar petname diminutive -ga also seen in frogga "frog", picga
"pig", stagga "stag", wicga "beetle, worm", among others.[24] Piotr Gasiorowski has
suggested that Old English *docga is actually derived from Old English colour
adjective dox.[25]

In 14th-century England, hound (from Old English: hund) was the general word for
all domestic canines, and dog referred to a subtype of hound, a group including the
mastiff. It is believed this "dog" type was so common, it eventually became the
prototype of the category "hound".[26] By the 16th century, dog had become the
general word, and hound had begun to refer only to types used for hunting.[27] The
word "hound" is ultimately derived from the Proto-Indo-European word *kwon-, "dog".
[28] This semantic shift may be compared with in German, where the corresponding
words Dogge and Hund kept their original meanings. The term *?won- may ultimately
derive from the earliest layer of Proto-Indo-European vocabulary.[29]

A male canine is referred to as a "dog", while a female is traditionally called a

"bitch" (derived from Middle English bicche, from Old English bicce, ultimately
from Old Norse bikkja. Since the word "bitch" has taken on derogatory connotations,
nowadays it is less commonly used to refer to dogs).[citation needed] The father of
a litter is called the sire, and the mother is called the dam. The process of birth
is "whelping", from the Old English word hwelp; the modern English word "whelp" is
an alternative term for puppy.[30] A litter refers to the multiple offspring at one
birth which are called puppies or pups from the French poup�e, "doll", which has
mostly replaced the older term "whelp".[31]

Terminology
The term dog typically is applied both to the species (or subspecies) as a whole,
and any adult male member of the same.
An adult female is a bitch.
An adult male capable of reproduction is a stud.
An adult female capable of reproduction is a brood bitch, or brood mother.
Immature males or females (that is, animals that are incapable of reproduction) are
pups or puppies.
A group of pups from the same gestation period is a litter.
The father of a litter is a sire. It is possible for one litter to have multiple
sires.
The mother of a litter is a dam.
A group of any three or more adults is a pack.
Taxonomy
In 1758, the taxonomist Linnaeus published in his Systema Naturae the
classification of species. Canis is a Latin word meaning dog,[32] and under this
genus he listed the dog-like carnivores including domestic dogs, wolves, and
jackals. He classified the domestic dog as Canis familiaris (Linnaeus, 1758) and on
the next page as a separate species he classified the wolf as Canis lupus
(Linnaeus, 1758).[2] In 1926, the International Commission on Zoological
Nomenclature (ICZN) ruled in Opinion 91 that the domestic dog Canis familiaris
(Linnaeus, 1758) be placed on its official list.[3] In 1957, the ICZN ruled in
Opinion 451 that Canis dingo (Meyer, 1793) was the name to be used for the dingo
and that this be placed on its official list.[33] These are the scientific names
for the dog and dingo that appear on the Official Lists and Indexes of Names in
Zoology of the ICZN.[34]
In 1978, a review to minimize the number species listed under genus Canis proposed
that "Canis dingo is now generally regarded as a distinctive feral domestic dog.
Canis familiaris is used for domestic dogs, although taxonomically it should
probably be synonymous with Canis lupus."[35] In 1982, the first edition of Mammal
Species of the World included a note under Canis lupus with the comment: "Probably
ancestor of and conspecific with the domestic dog, familiaris. Canis familiaris has
page priority over Canis lupus, but both were published simultaneously in Linnaeus
(1758), and Canis lupus has been universally used for this species".[36] In the
same year, an application was made to the ICZN to reclassify the dingo to Canis
lupus dingo because it was proposed that the wolf (Canis lupus) was the ancestor of
dogs and dingoes, however the application was rejected.[37]

In 2003, the ICZN ruled in its Opinion 2027 that the "name of a wild species...is
not invalid by virtue of being predated by the name based on a domestic form."
Additionally, the ICZN placed the taxon Canis lupus as a conserved name on the
official list under this opinion.[38] In the third editThis article is about the
domestic dog. For related species known as "dogs", see Canidae. For other uses, see
Dog (disambiguation).
"Doggie" redirects here. For the Danish artist, see Doggie (artist).
Domestic dog
Temporal range: Late Pleistocene � Present (14,700�0 years BP)
Collage of Nine Dogs.jpg
Selection of the different breeds of dog
Conservation status
Domesticated
Scientific classification e
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Canidae
Genus: Canis
Species: C. lupus
Subspecies: C. l. familiaris[1]
Trinomial name
Canis lupus familiaris[1]
Linnaeus, 1758
Synonyms
Canis familiaris Linnaeus, 1758[2][3]

Montage showing the morphological variation of the dog.

The domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris or Canis familiaris)[4] is a member of the
genus Canis (canines), which forms part of the wolf-like canids,[5] and is the most
widely abundant terrestrial carnivore.[6][7][8][9][10] The dog and the extant gray
wolf are sister taxa[11][12][13] as modern wolves are not closely related to the
wolves that were first domesticated,[12][13] which implies that the direct ancestor
of the dog is extinct.[14] The dog was the first species to be domesticated[13][15]
and has been selectively bred over millennia for various behaviors, sensory
capabilities, and physical attributes.[16]

Their long association with humans has led dogs to be uniquely attuned to human
behavior[17] and they are able to thrive on a starch-rich diet that would be
inadequate for other canid species.[18] New research seems to show that dogs have
mutations to equivalent genetic regions in humans where changes are known to
trigger high sociability and somewhat reduced intelligence.[19][20] Dogs vary
widely in shape, size and colors.[21] Dogs perform many roles for people, such as
hunting, herding, pulling loads, protection, assisting police and military,
companionship and, more recently, aiding handicapped individuals and therapeutic
roles. This influence on human society has given them the sobriquet "man's best
friend".

Contents [hide]
1 Etymology
2 Terminology
3 Taxonomy
4 Origin
5 Biology
5.1 Anatomy
5.1.1 Size and weight
5.1.2 Senses
5.1.3 Coat
5.1.4 Tail
5.1.5 Differences from wolves
5.2 Health
5.2.1 Lifespan
5.3 Reproduction
5.3.1 Neutering
5.4 Inbreeding depression
6 Intelligence, behavior and communication
6.1 Intelligence
6.2 Behavior
6.3 Communication
7 Ecology
7.1 Population and habitat
7.2 Competitors
7.3 Diet
8 Breeds
9 Roles with humans
9.1 Early roles
9.2 As pets
9.3 Work
9.4 Sports and shows
9.5 As food
9.6 Health risks to humans
9.7 Health benefits for humans
9.8 Medical detection dogs
9.9 Shelters
10 Cultural depictions
10.1 Mythology
10.2 Literature
10.3 Religion
10.4 Art
11 See also
12 Notes
13 References
14 Bibliography
15 Further reading
16 External links
Etymology
The term "domestic dog" is generally used for both domesticated and feral
varieties. The English word dog comes from Middle English dogge, from Old English
docga, a "powerful dog breed".[22] The term may possibly derive from Proto-Germanic
*dukkon, represented in Old English finger-docce ("finger-muscle").[23] The word
also shows the familiar petname diminutive -ga also seen in frogga "frog", picga
"pig", stagga "stag", wicga "beetle, worm", among others.[24] Piotr Gasiorowski has
suggested that Old English *docga is actually derived from Old English colour
adjective dox.[25]

In 14th-century England, hound (from Old English: hund) was the general word for
all domestic canines, and dog referred to a subtype of hound, a group including the
mastiff. It is believed this "dog" type was so common, it eventually became the
prototype of the category "hound".[26] By the 16th century, dog had become the
general word, and hound had begun to refer only to types used for hunting.[27] The
word "hound" is ultimately derived from the Proto-Indo-European word *kwon-, "dog".
[28] This semantic shift may be compared with in German, where the corresponding
words Dogge and Hund kept their original meanings. The term *?won- may ultimately
derive from the earliest layer of Proto-Indo-European vocabulary.[29]

A male canine is referred to as a "dog", while a female is traditionally called a

"bitch" (derived from Middle English bicche, from Old English bicce, ultimately
from Old Norse bikkja. Since the word "bitch" has taken on derogatory connotations,
nowadays it is less commonly used to refer to dogs).[citation needed] The father of
a litter is called the sire, and the mother is called the dam. The process of birth
is "whelping", from the Old English word hwelp; the modern English word "whelp" is
an alternative term for puppy.[30] A litter refers to the multiple offspring at one
birth which are called puppies or pups from the French poup�e, "doll", which has
mostly replaced the older term "whelp".[31]

Terminology
The term dog typically is applied both to the species (or subspecies) as a whole,
and any adult male member of the same.
An adult female is a bitch.
An adult male capable of reproduction is a stud.
An adult female capable of reproduction is a brood bitch, or brood mother.
Immature males or females (that is, animals that are incapable of reproduction) are
pups or puppies.
A group of pups from the same gestation period is a litter.
The father of a litter is a sire. It is possible for one litter to have multiple
sires.
The mother of a litter is a dam.
A group of any three or more adults is a pack.
Taxonomy
In 1758, the taxonomist Linnaeus published in his Systema Naturae the
classification of species. Canis is a Latin word meaning dog,[32] and under this
genus he listed the dog-like carnivores including domestic dogs, wolves, and
jackals. He classified the domestic dog as Canis familiaris (Linnaeus, 1758) and on
the next page as a separate species he classified the wolf as Canis lupus
(Linnaeus, 1758).[2] In 1926, the International Commission on Zoological
Nomenclature (ICZN) ruled in Opinion 91 that the domestic dog Canis familiaris
(Linnaeus, 1758) be placed on its official list.[3] In 1957, the ICZN ruled in
Opinion 451 that Canis dingo (Meyer, 1793) was the name to be used for the dingo
and that this be placed on its official list.[33] These are the scientific names
for the dog and dingo that appear on the Official Lists and Indexes of Names in
Zoology of the ICZN.[34]

In 1978, a review to minimize the number species listed under genus Canis proposed
that "Canis dingo is now generally regarded as a distinctive feral domestic dog.
Canis familiaris is used for domestic dogs, although taxonomically it should
probably be synonymous with Canis lupus."[35] In 1982, the first edition of Mammal
Species of the World included a note under Canis lupus with the comment: "Probably
ancestor of and conspecific with the domestic dog, familiaris. Canis familiaris has
page priority over Canis lupus, but both were published simultaneously in Linnaeus
(1758), and Canis lupus has been universally used for this species".[36] In the
same year, an application was made to the ICZN to reclassify the dingo to Canis
lupus dingo because it was proposed that the wolf (Canis lupus) was the ancestor of
dogs and dingoes, however the application was rejected.[37]

In 2003, the ICZN ruled in its Opinion 2027 that the "name of a wild species...is
not invalid by virtue of being predated by the name based on a domestic form."
Additionally, the ICZN placed the taxon Canis lupus as a conserved name on the
official list under this opinion.[38] In the third editThis article is about the
domestic dog. For related species known as "dogs", see Canidae. For other uses, see
Dog (disambiguation).
"Doggie" redirects here. For the Danish artist, see Doggie (artist).
Domestic dog
Temporal range: Late Pleistocene � Present (14,700�0 years BP)
Collage of Nine Dogs.jpg
Selection of the different breeds of dog
Conservation status
Domesticated
Scientific classification e
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Canidae
Genus: Canis
Species: C. lupus
Subspecies: C. l. familiaris[1]
Trinomial name
Canis lupus familiaris[1]
Linnaeus, 1758
Synonyms
Canis familiaris Linnaeus, 1758[2][3]

Montage showing the morphological variation of the dog.

The domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris or Canis familiaris)[4] is a member of the
genus Canis (canines), which forms part of the wolf-like canids,[5] and is the most
widely abundant terrestrial carnivore.[6][7][8][9][10] The dog and the extant gray
wolf are sister taxa[11][12][13] as modern wolves are not closely related to the
wolves that were first domesticated,[12][13] which implies that the direct ancestor
of the dog is extinct.[14] The dog was the first species to be domesticated[13][15]
and has been selectively bred over millennia for various behaviors, sensory
capabilities, and physical attributes.[16]

Their long association with humans has led dogs to be uniquely attuned to human
behavior[17] and they are able to thrive on a starch-rich diet that would be
inadequate for other canid species.[18] New research seems to show that dogs have
mutations to equivalent genetic regions in humans where changes are known to
trigger high sociability and somewhat reduced intelligence.[19][20] Dogs vary
widely in shape, size and colors.[21] Dogs perform many roles for people, such as
hunting, herding, pulling loads, protection, assisting police and military,
companionship and, more recently, aiding handicapped individuals and therapeutic
roles. This influence on human society has given them the sobriquet "man's best
friend".

Contents [hide]
1 Etymology
2 Terminology
3 Taxonomy
4 Origin
5 Biology
5.1 Anatomy
5.1.1 Size and weight
5.1.2 Senses
5.1.3 Coat
5.1.4 Tail
5.1.5 Differences from wolves
5.2 Health
5.2.1 Lifespan
5.3 Reproduction
5.3.1 Neutering
5.4 Inbreeding depression
6 Intelligence, behavior and communication
6.1 Intelligence
6.2 Behavior
6.3 Communication
7 Ecology
7.1 Population and habitat
7.2 Competitors
7.3 Diet
8 Breeds
9 Roles with humans
9.1 Early roles
9.2 As pets
9.3 Work
9.4 Sports and shows
9.5 As food
9.6 Health risks to humans
9.7 Health benefits for humans
9.8 Medical detection dogs
9.9 Shelters
10 Cultural depictions
10.1 Mythology
10.2 Literature
10.3 Religion
10.4 Art
11 See also
12 Notes
13 References
14 Bibliography
15 Further reading
16 External links
Etymology
The term "domestic dog" is generally used for both domesticated and feral
varieties. The English word dog comes from Middle English dogge, from Old English
docga, a "powerful dog breed".[22] The term may possibly derive from Proto-Germanic
*dukkon, represented in Old English finger-docce ("finger-muscle").[23] The word
also shows the familiar petname diminutive -ga also seen in frogga "frog", picga
"pig", stagga "stag", wicga "beetle, worm", among others.[24] Piotr Gasiorowski has
suggested that Old English *docga is actually derived from Old English colour
adjective dox.[25]

In 14th-century England, hound (from Old English: hund) was the general word for
all domestic canines, and dog referred to a subtype of hound, a group including the
mastiff. It is believed this "dog" type was so common, it eventually became the
prototype of the category "hound".[26] By the 16th century, dog had become the
general word, and hound had begun to refer only to types used for hunting.[27] The
word "hound" is ultimately derived from the Proto-Indo-European word *kwon-, "dog".
[28] This semantic shift may be compared with in German, where the corresponding
words Dogge and Hund kept their original meanings. The term *?won- may ultimately
derive from the earliest layer of Proto-Indo-European vocabulary.[29]
A male canine is referred to as a "dog", while a female is traditionally called a
"bitch" (derived from Middle English bicche, from Old English bicce, ultimately
from Old Norse bikkja. Since the word "bitch" has taken on derogatory connotations,
nowadays it is less commonly used to refer to dogs).[citation needed] The father of
a litter is called the sire, and the mother is called the dam. The process of birth
is "whelping", from the Old English word hwelp; the modern English word "whelp" is
an alternative term for puppy.[30] A litter refers to the multiple offspring at one
birth which are called puppies or pups from the French poup�e, "doll", which has
mostly replaced the older term "whelp".[31]

Terminology
The term dog typically is applied both to the species (or subspecies) as a whole,
and any adult male member of the same.
An adult female is a bitch.
An adult male capable of reproduction is a stud.
An adult female capable of reproduction is a brood bitch, or brood mother.
Immature males or females (that is, animals that are incapable of reproduction) are
pups or puppies.
A group of pups from the same gestation period is a litter.
The father of a litter is a sire. It is possible for one litter to have multiple
sires.
The mother of a litter is a dam.
A group of any three or more adults is a pack.
Taxonomy
In 1758, the taxonomist Linnaeus published in his Systema Naturae the
classification of species. Canis is a Latin word meaning dog,[32] and under this
genus he listed the dog-like carnivores including domestic dogs, wolves, and
jackals. He classified the domestic dog as Canis familiaris (Linnaeus, 1758) and on
the next page as a separate species he classified the wolf as Canis lupus
(Linnaeus, 1758).[2] In 1926, the International Commission on Zoological
Nomenclature (ICZN) ruled in Opinion 91 that the domestic dog Canis familiaris
(Linnaeus, 1758) be placed on its official list.[3] In 1957, the ICZN ruled in
Opinion 451 that Canis dingo (Meyer, 1793) was the name to be used for the dingo
and that this be placed on its official list.[33] These are the scientific names
for the dog and dingo that appear on the Official Lists and Indexes of Names in
Zoology of the ICZN.[34]

In 1978, a review to minimize the number species listed under genus Canis proposed
that "Canis dingo is now generally regarded as a distinctive feral domestic dog.
Canis familiaris is used for domestic dogs, although taxonomically it should
probably be synonymous with Canis lupus."[35] In 1982, the first edition of Mammal
Species of the World included a note under Canis lupus with the comment: "Probably
ancestor of and conspecific with the domestic dog, familiaris. Canis familiaris has
page priority over Canis lupus, but both were published simultaneously in Linnaeus
(1758), and Canis lupus has been universally used for this species".[36] In the
same year, an application was made to the ICZN to reclassify the dingo to Canis
lupus dingo because it was proposed that the wolf (Canis lupus) was the ancestor of
dogs and dingoes, however the application was rejected.[37]

In 2003, the ICZN ruled in its Opinion 2027 that the "name of a wild species...is
not invalid by virtue of being predated by the name based on a domestic form."
Additionally, the ICZN placed the taxon Canis lupus as a conserved name on the
official list under this opinion.[38] In the third editv the name based on a
domestic form." Additionally, the ICZN placed the taxon Canis lupus as a conserved
name on the official list under this opinion.[38] In the third editvcies...is not
invalid by virtue of being predated by the name based on a domestic form."
Additionally, the ICZN placed the taxon Canis lupus as a conserved name on the
official list under this opinion.[38] In the third editr the dingo and that this be
placed on its official list.[33] These are the scientific names for the dog and
dingo that appear on the Official Lists and Indexes of Names in Zoology of the
ICZN.[34]

In 1978, a review to minimize the number species listed under genus Canis proposed
that "Canis dingo is now generally regarded as a distinctive feral domestic dog.
Canis familiaris is used for domestic dogs, although taxonomically it should
probably be synonymous with Canis lupus."[35] In 1982, the first edition of Mammal
Species of the World included a note under Canis lupus with the comment: "Probably
ancestor of and conspecific with the domestic dog, familiaris. Canis familiaris has
page priority over Canis lupus, but both were published simultaneously in Linnaeus
(1758), and Canis lupus has been universally used for this species".[36] In the
same year, an application was made to the ICZN to reclassify the dingo to Canis
lupus dingo because it was proposed that the wolf (Canis lupus) was the ancestor of
dogs and dingoes, however the application was rejected.[37]

In 2003, the ICZN ruled in its Opinion 2027 that the "name of a wild species...is
not invalid by virtue of being predated by the name based on a domestic form."
Additionally, the ICZN placed the taxon Canis lupus as a conserved name on the
official list under this opinion.[38] In the third editname of a wild species...is
not invalid by virtue of being predated by the name based on a domestic form."
Additionally, the ICZN placed the taxon Canis lupus as a conserved name on the
official list under this opinion.[38] In the third edit