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dog
References & Edit History Quick Facts & Related Topics
Images, Videos & Interactives
A Labradoodle dog runs energetically through grass with a stick in its mouth, ears flopping and tail raised. Illustration comparing the heights of twelve dog breeds, from smallest to largest: Chihuahua, West Highland White Terrier, French Bulldog, Beagle, English Bulldog, Standard Poodle, Dalmatian, Labrador Retriever, German Shepherd, Bernese Mountain Dog, Great Dane, and Irish Wolfhound, with labeled height ranges above each breed. Four Australian Shepherd puppies with different coat colors sit side by side on a log outdoors, highlighting variation in their fur patterns and markings. A German shorthaired pointer dog with a brown and white spotted coat runs on grass carrying a stick in its mouth. A Rottweiler with a black and tan coat stands on grass with its tail intact and raised, looking alert with its mouth open. Adult beagle lying on grass with her puppy standing in front of her, both looking toward the camera in a green outdoor setting. An English bulldog with a stocky build, wrinkled face, and short coat stands on green grass with bushes in the background. A smooth-coated dachshund dog stands in profile, showing its long body, short legs, and dark brown fur. Black standard poodle with curly fur stands on green grass, tongue out, with leafy plants in the background. German Shepherd dog standing on green grass, facing forward with tongue out and ears upright.
At a Glance
A golden retriever mother sits in tall grass outdoors with five golden retriever puppies gathered closely beside her.
dog summary
Quizzes
Dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius). Animals, mammals.
Ultimate Animals Quiz
Sea otter (Enhydra lutris), also called great sea otter, rare, completely marine otter of the northern Pacific, usually found in kelp beds. Floats on back. Looks like sea otter laughing. saltwater otters
Animal Group Names
Various retriever dog breeds sitting in a row. L-R: curly coated retriever, golden retriever, Labrador retriever, duck tolling retriever, flat coated retriever. hunting sporting dogs
The Dog Breed Quiz
Lion (panthera leo)
Deadliest Animals Quiz
Young chimpanzee dressed in a shirt and sweater vest, scratching his head thinking. (primates)
Wild Words from the Animal Kingdom Vocabulary Quiz
Related Questions

dog: References & Edit History

Additional Reading

The American Kennel Club, The Complete Dog Book, 18th ed. (1992), comprehensively illustrates every breed that is registerable in the AKC stud book and includes a chapter on health care and puppy management. David Taylor and Connie Vanacore, The Ultimate Dog Book (1990), is an illustrated overview of most of the breeds registered in the United States and Great Britain, with brief histories and descriptions of each.

Fernand Méry, The Life, History, and Magic of the Dog (1970; originally published in French, 1968), traces the beginnings of the domestication of the dog and recites legends concerning the dog and its ancestors throughout the world. Stanley J. Olsen, Origins of the Domestic Dog (1985), is an anthropological study of fossils, primarily in the United States. Maxwell Riddle, The Wild Dogs in Life and Legend (1979), describes many wild canids that exist in different parts of the world and relates the stories natives tell about them.

A vastly important contribution to the understanding of canine behaviour is John Paul Scott and John L. Fuller, Genetics and the Social Behavior of the Dog (1965, reissued as Dog Behavior: The Genetic Basis, 1974), describing the genetic structure of personality based on original research by the authors. The foundational work describing the development of personality in puppies is Clarence J. Pfaffenberger, The New Knowledge of Dog Behavior (1963), based on research done by Scott and Fuller in the 1950s. Jack Volhard and Melissa Bartlett, What All Good Dogs Should Know (1991), is a basic primer for obedience training. Carol Lea Benjamin, Mother Knows Best: The Natural Way to Train Your Dog (1985), uses a commonsense approach to teaching basic manners and solving problems.

William J. Kay and Elizabeth Randolph, The Complete Book of Dog Health (1985), gives detailed descriptions of the major organ systems of the dog and describes common ailments and symptoms that dog owners can identify. Harold R. Spira, Canine Terminology (1982), definitively describes canine anatomy, illustrated from nose to tail. Terri McGinnis, The Well Dog Book (1991), is a basic veterinary manual for dog owners. Also helpful is Malcolm B. Willis, Practical Genetics for Dog Breeders (1992), which studies the genetic structure of the dog, including anatomy, coat colour, and breed differentiation.

Constance B. Vanacore

Article History

Type Description Contributor Date
Invalidated site: National Center for Biotechnology Information - PubMed Central - A Review of Domestic Dogs' (Canis Familiaris) Human-Like Behaviors: Or Why Behavior Analysts Should Stop Worrying and Love Their Dogs. Aug 07, 2026
Add new Web site: Interesting Facts - 7 Very Good Questions About Dogs, Answered. Aug 07, 2026
Questions and answers added. Mar 21, 2025
Link added. Mar 15, 2025
Revised the slideshow for popular dog breeds. Mar 11, 2025
Added a slideshow of the most popular dogs in the United States. Mar 04, 2025
Link and updated added. Sep 26, 2024
Dataset describing the life expectancy of dog breeds added. May 24, 2024
Media added. Apr 02, 2024
Media added. Oct 31, 2023
Add new Web site: Merck Veterinary Manual - Description and Physical Characteristics of Dogs. Jan 02, 2023
Add new Web site: Charles Darwin Foundation - Galapagos Species Checklist - Canis lupus familiaris Linnaeus, 1758. Aug 24, 2022
Add new Web site: National Center for Biotechnology Information - PubMed Central - A Review of Domestic Dogs' (Canis Familiaris) Human-Like Behaviors: Or Why Behavior Analysts Should Stop Worrying and Love Their Dogs. Aug 23, 2022
Removed media. Mar 30, 2022
Media added. Jun 21, 2021
Corrected display issue. Mar 18, 2021
Article revised and updated. Feb 05, 2021
Deleted video. Nov 21, 2019
Media added. Jan 24, 2019
Add new Web site: A-Z Animals - Types of Dogs: All Breeds From A-Z. Jan 10, 2019
Corrected display issue. Jun 15, 2018
Media added. Apr 03, 2017
Add new Web site: Progressive Animal Welfare Society - About Dog. Dec 02, 2016
Add new Web site: Easy Science for Kids - Dog Family. Dec 02, 2016
Media added. Apr 18, 2016
Added video. Jan 26, 2016
Evidence of first dog domestication occurring in Central Asia added. Oct 20, 2015
Added video Jan 28, 2015
Text noting a study suggesting that dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) first migrated to the Americas some 10,000 years ago added. Jan 09, 2015
Text added mentioning that one study suggests that dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) and gray wolves (Canis lupus) are separate lineages that share a common ancestor. Apr 04, 2014
Add new Web site: National Geographic - Animal - Domestic Dog. Feb 17, 2014
Add new Web site: National Geographic - Dingo. Jan 30, 2014
Add new Web site: National Geographic - Animal - Domestic Dog. Jan 21, 2014
Text added noting the possibility that dog domestication first took place in Europe between 18,800 and 32,100 years ago. Nov 15, 2013
Add new Web site: Buzzle.com - Dogs. Jan 11, 2013
Add new Web site: Buzzle.com - Evolution of Dogs. Dec 07, 2012
Add new Web site: India Parenting - The Dog Story. Sep 14, 2012
Add new Web site: Science Kids - Fun Science and Technology for Kids! - Dog. Mar 15, 2012
Added diagrams of canine external morphology, skeletal system, and foot structure. Jan 27, 2011
Text suggesting that wolves were tamed for use as livestock in China added. Nov 06, 2009
Updated AKC breed count. May 22, 2009
Added new Web site: The Canadian Encyclopedia - Dog. Feb 18, 2009
Article revised and updated. Nov 19, 2008
Added new Web site: National Geographic - Animal - Domestic Dog. Sep 02, 2008
Added new Web site: Doggyspace - A Doggy's Place. Aug 14, 2008
Added new Web site: Doggyspace - A Doggy's Place. Aug 14, 2008
Added new Web site: Zoroastrian Kids Korner - Dog. Aug 12, 2008
Added new Web site: How Stuff Works - Animals - Dog. May 27, 2008
Added new Web site: How Stuff Works - Animals - Home Remedies for Dogs. May 15, 2008
Added new Web site: How Stuff Works - Animals - How Dog Training Works. May 14, 2008
Added new Web site: Animal Corner - Dog. Feb 07, 2008
Added new Web site: Official Site of the American Kennel Club. Nov 20, 2007
Added new Web site: Official Site of the American Kennel Club. Nov 20, 2007
Added new Web site: About Dog Health. Jul 16, 2007
Added new Web site: Animal Diversity Web - Dog. May 29, 2006
Article revised. Mar 28, 2003
Article revised. Aug 25, 2000
Article revised. Sep 17, 1999
Article added to new online database. Jul 28, 1999
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