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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)}}

 

'''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 thousands of years.

'''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.

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''.  

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''.  

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 respectively of the [[America]]s and [[Australia]] brought dogs of some sort with them.  

== Scientific details ==

== Scientific details ==

'''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 (scientific name ''Canis lupus familiaris'') are a subspecies of [[wolf|wolves]], divided into a multitude of different breeds all in principle 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 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.

*As food. Dog is still considered a delicacy in [[China]], [[Korea]] and parts of [[Africa]] today.

*As food. Dog is still considered a delicacy in [[China]], [[Korea]] and parts of [[Africa]] today.

Today most dogs in the [[United States]] are kept for companionship only. Stray and feral dogs cause many problems, spreading diseases such as [[rabies]], and attacking people and [[livestock]].

Today most dogs in the western countries are kept for [[pet|companionship]] only. Stray and feral dogs cause many problems, spreading diseases such as [[rabies]], and attacking people and [[livestock]].

== Further reading ==

== Further reading ==

* [[http://www.mastiffexperts.com|Mastiff Experts]]

* [http://www.mastiffexperts.com Mastiff Experts]

==References==

==References==