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| | {{Taxonomy|image = akitadog.jpg|kingdom = Animalia|phylum = Chordata|subphylum = Vertebrata|class = Mammalia|order = Carnivora|suborder = Caniformia |family = Canidae|genus = Canis|species = lupus|sub = C. l. familiaris (Domesticated dog)}} | | {{Taxonomy|image = akitadog.jpg|kingdom = Animalia|phylum = Chordata|subphylum = Vertebrata|class = Mammalia|order = Carnivora|suborder = Caniformia |family = Canidae|genus = Canis|species = lupus|sub = C. l. familiaris (Domesticated dog)}} |
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| | + | '''Dogs''' 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. |
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| | + | 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''. |
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| | + | Research has shown that it is probable that the first settlers of the [[America]]s brought dogs of some sort with them. |
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| | + | == Scientific details == |
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| | '''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). | | '''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.
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| | 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 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. |
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| − | 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''.
| + | == Bites == |
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| | 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> |
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| − | Research has shown that it is probable that the first settlers of the [[America]]s brought dogs of some sort with them.
| + | == Uses == |
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| | Dogs are used for many purposes: | | Dogs are used for many purposes: |