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'''''There are dozens of references to "dog" in the [[Bible]], including both the [[Old Testament|Old]] and [[New Testament]]s'''''.
'''''There are dozens of references to "dog" in the [[Bible]], including both the [[Old Testament|Old]] and [[New Testament]]s'''''.
In 2012 a “best guess” estimate of the worldwide population of dogs was 525 million.<ref>https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/canine-corner/201209/how-many-dogs-are-there-in-the-world</ref>
In 2012 a “best guess” estimate of the worldwide population of dogs was 525 million.<ref>https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/canine-corner/201209/how-many-dogs-are-there-in-the-world</ref>
==Etymology==
==Etymology==
The word "dog" has an uncertain origin; it has its roots in the Middle English word ''docga'' sometime prior to the 12th century.<ref>https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dog</ref> The German word ''hund'' (“hound”), which means the same animal, has a slightly better provenance, as it may be derived from the Greek root “kýon” (''κύων, σκύλος'');<ref>https://www.etymonline.com/word/*kwon-</ref> this root is common to all Indo-European languages including Sanskrit and Vedic (''çuan''), and gave rise to the Latin ''canis''.
The word "dog" has an uncertain origin; it has its roots in the Middle English word ''docga'' sometime prior to the 12th century.<ref>https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dog</ref> The [[Germany|German]] word ''hund'' (“hound”), which means the same animal, has a slightly better provenance, as it may be derived from the Greek root “kýon” (''κύων, σκύλος'');<ref>https://www.etymonline.com/word/*kwon-</ref> this root is common to all Indo-European languages including Sanskrit and Vedic (''çuan''), and gave rise to the Latin ''canis''.
== Scientific details ==
== Scientific details ==
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 (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).
[[File:Chow chow.jpg|thumbnail|right|200px|Chow Chow]]
[[File:Chow chow.jpg|thumbnail|right|200px|Chow Chow]]
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 creature on the planet. Due to selective breeding by man, however, many breeds of dog have significant [[gene]]tic disorders. These include hip dysplasia (particularly common in German Shepherds, although common in most big breeds), and respiratory problems caused by shortening of the face, as seen with Boxer dogs and the Bulldog's lip and Pugs smashed faces with wrinkles that collect dirt that must be washed out regularly or may become infected. To overcome the prevalence of genetic disorders rendered common by inbreeding, many breeders regularly practice outcrossing, or introducing new material into a breed line via mating with other kinds of dog. This restores vigor to a breed and can decrease the likelihood of genetic disorders manifesting.
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 creature on the planet. Due to selective breeding by man, however, many breeds of dog have significant [[gene]]tic disorders. These include hip dysplasia (particularly common in German Shepherds, although common in most big breeds), and respiratory problems caused by shortening of the face, as seen with Boxer dogs and the Bulldog's lip and Pugs smashed faces with wrinkles that collect dirt that must be washed out regularly or may become infected. To overcome the prevalence of genetic disorders rendered common by inbreeding, many breeders regularly practice outcrossing, or introducing new material into a breed line via mating with other kinds of dog. This restores vigor to a breed and can decrease the likelihood of genetic disorders manifesting.