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[[Image:akitadog.jpg|thumb|right|According to genetic studies the Akita is one of the oldest breeds of dog.]]

{{Taxonomy|image = akitadog.jpg|kingdom = Animalia|phylum = [[Chordata]]|subphylum = [[Vertebrata]]|class = [[Mammalia]]|order = [[Carnivora]]|suborder = Caniformia  |family = Canidae|genus = Canis|species = lupus|footnotes = Subspecies: Canis lupus familiaris (Domesticated dog)}}

'''Dogs''', are a subspecies of [[wolf|wolves]] (given the scientific name ''Canis lupus familiaris'' ), divided into a multitude of different breeds all capable of interbreeding (though in some cases, physical relations between representatives of two breeds are unlikely or problematic - Chihuahuas and Great Danes, for example). They are one of the most well-known domesticated species, with archaeological and historical records showing that they have lived in a mutually beneficial relationship with humans for upwards of ten thousand years; in Biblical times, they had already been coexisting with humans long enough for it to be regarded as the natural order of things. Dogs are also viewed as being the single most genetically diverse species on Earth - largely thanks to human-imposed selective breeding, the vast array of dog breeds surpasses any other any other creature on the planet.

'''Dogs''', are a subspecies of [[wolf|wolves]] (given the scientific name ''Canis lupus familiaris'' ), divided into a multitude of different breeds all capable of interbreeding (though in some cases, physical relations between representatives of two breeds are unlikely or problematic - Chihuahuas and Great Danes, for example). They are one of the most well-known domesticated species, with archaeological and historical records showing that they have lived in a mutually beneficial relationship with humans for upwards of ten thousand years; in Biblical times, they had already been coexisting with humans long enough for it to be regarded as the natural order of things. Dogs are also viewed as being the single most genetically diverse species on Earth - largely thanks to human-imposed selective breeding, the vast array of dog breeds surpasses any other any other creature on the planet.

Male dogs are referred to as a ''dog'', while a female is called a ''bitch''. Offspring are called ''pups'' (or ''puppies'') until around a year old. The collective noun for a group of offspring is ''litter''.  

Despite being  colloquially known as "man's best friend", every 40 seconds, someone in the United States seeks medical help for a dog bite. There are approximately 800,000 bites per year in the United States that require medical attention.<ref>http://www.dogbitelaw.com/PAGES/statistics.html</ref> Due to the high cost of dog bite liability claims, some [[insurance]] companies have blacklisted certain breeds and refuse to provide homeowners insurance to those who own these dog breeds. <ref>http://www.dogbitelegalcenter.com/resources/common-dogs.html</ref>

Despite being  colloquially known as "man's best friend", every 40 seconds, someone in the United States seeks medical help for a dog bite. There are approximately 800,000 bites per year in the United States that require medical attention.<ref>http://www.dogbitelaw.com/PAGES/statistics.html</ref> Due to the high cost of dog bite liability claims, some [[insurance]] companies have blacklisted certain breeds and refuse to provide homeowners insurance to those who own these dog breeds. <ref>http://www.dogbitelegalcenter.com/resources/common-dogs.html</ref>

It is likely, based on genetic evidence, that the oldest breeds of dog originate in [[Asia]], and that thus the domestic dog originated there; similar research has shown that it is probable that the first settlers of the [[America]]s brought dogs of some sort with them.  

Research has shown that it is probable that the first settlers of the [[America]]s brought dogs of some sort with them.  

Dogs are used for many purposes:

Dogs are used for many purposes: