Dog characteristics, facts and information.

The dog (Canis lupus familiaris, pronounced /ˈkeɪ.nis ˈluːpəs fʌˈmɪliɛəris/) is a domesticated subspecies of the gray wolf, a mammal of the Canidae family of the order Carnivora. The term can also be used more generally to encompass any member of the biological family Canidae, the subfamily Caninae or the genus Canis (also called "true dogs"). When referring to Canis lupus familiaris, the term is used to specify both feral and pet varieties. The domestic dog has been one of the most widely kept working and companion animals in human history. The domestication of the gray wolf took place in a handful of events roughly 15,000 years ago in central Asia. The dog quickly became ubiquitous across culture in all parts of the world. Dogs became extremely valuable to early human settlements. For instance, it is believed that the successful emigration across the Bering Strait may not have been possible without sled dogs. As a result of the domestication process, the dog developed a sophisticated intelligence that includes unparalleled social cognition and a simple theory of mind that is important to their interaction with humans. These social skills have helped the dog to perform in myriad roles, such as hunting, herding, protection and more recently assisting handicapped individuals. Currently, there are estimated to be 400 million dogs in the world. Over much of the 15,000 year span that the dog has been domesticated, the dog had diverged into only a handful of landraces. Environmental factors and functional roles shaped their morphology and behavior, but humans did not take an active, intentional role in this process. In the last few hundred years, as the modern understanding of genetics has developed, humans have intentionally bred dogs for a wide range of specific traits. Through this process, the dog has developed into hundreds of varied breeds, and shows more behavioral and morphological variation than any other land mammal. Height measured to the withers ranges from a few inches in the Chihuahua to a few feet in the Irish Wolfhound; color varies from white through grays (usually called blue) to black, and browns from light (tan) to dark ("red" or "chocolate") in a wide variation of patterns; coats can be very short to many centimeters long, from coarse hair to something akin to wool, straight or curly, or smooth. It is common for most breeds to shed this coat, but non-shedding breeds are also popular.

The dog is one of the most popular pets in the world. It ordinarily remains loyal to a considerate master, and because of this the dog has been called man's best friend. Class distinctions between people have no part in a dog's life. It can be a faithful companion to either rich or poor. Dogs have been domesticated for most of human history and have thus endeared themselves to many over the years. Stories have been told about brave dogs that served admirably in war or that risked their lives to save persons in danger. When Pompeii--the Roman community destroyed by Mount Vesuvius in AD 79--was finally excavated, searchers found evidence of a dog lying across a child, apparently trying to protect the youngster. Perhaps few of the millions of dogs in the world may be so heroic, but they are still a source of genuine delight to their owners.

A dog fits easily into family life. It thrives on praise and affection. When a master tells a dog that it is good, the animal happily wags its tail. But when a master scolds a dog, it skulks away with a sheepish look and with its tail tucked between its legs. People in the city as well as those in other areas can enjoy a dog. Medium-size or small dogs are best suited for the confines of the city. Large dogs need considerable exercise over a large area

Dogs are not always well thought of, however. In recent years dogs in the city have been in the center of controversy. Some people have criticized dog owners for allowing their pets to soil sidewalks and lawns, although in some cities laws oblige owners to walk their dogs along street curbs. In turn, dog owners have argued that the animals serve as protection against vandals and burglars and thus protect their detractors as well as their owners. When a person decides to own a dog, he should be prepared to care for it properly. For a dog to stay healthy it must be correctly fed and adequately groomed, and its medical needs must be met. For a dog to be well-mannered it must be properly trained. It should never be ill-treated or mishandled. Otherwise, it will bite in its own defense.

The wild ancestors of all dogs were hunters. Wolves and other wild relatives of the dog still hunt in packs for their food. Dogs have retained the urge to be with the pack. This is why they do not like to be left alone for long. Some breeds of dogs still retain the hunting instinct. Dogs exist in a wide range of sizes, colors, and temperaments. Some, such as the Doberman pinscher and the German shepherd, serve as alert and aggressive watchdogs. Others, such as the beagle and the cocker spaniel, are playful family pets, even though they were bred for hunting. Still others, such as the collie and the Welsh corgi, can herd farm or range animals. Each of the dogs just mentioned is a purebred. A mongrel dog, however--one with many breeds in its background--can just as easily fit into family life.

Dogs have been with humans since prehistoric times. Over the years they have performed various services. They have pulled sleds over snowy tracts. They have delivered messages, herded sheep and cattle, and even rescued persons trapped in the snow. Dogs have served as a source of food, too. The ancient Romans are said to have prized certain kinds of dog stew. The Aztecs of ancient Mexico raised tiny dogs, thought to be the forebears of the chihuahua, to feed the large carnivores in the private zoos of the Aztec rulers. In the past dogs have even been worshiped as gods. Recently, they have been used in drug research, medical experimentation, and space science. Soviet scientists launched dogs into space to test the ability of mammals to survive the rigors of space travel before people were sent up.

Dogs are trained as guard dogs in peacetime by the United States Army and other military services. Because of their keen sense of smell, dogs are used by police at times to track down escaped prisoners. Law enforcement agencies also rely on the dog's acute sense of smell to uncover illegal drugs. And specially trained dogs serve as the "eyes" of the blind, guiding the steps of their sightless masters around obstacles and hazards.

THE BODY OF A DOG

Dogs grow to various sizes. The Irish wolfhound, for example, stands about 32 inches high at the withers, or top of the shoulders. The chihuahua, however, stands about five inches.The color of a dog's coat, or hair cover, also ranges widely, even within a breed. Some dogs are all black. Others are all white. Some have light markings on portions of their bodies and darker coloration elsewhere. Or, they may have a solid color other than black. All dogs have some hair cover, even the so-called hairless ones. The shape of a dog is determined by three major structures--the head, the body, and the legs. The size and form of these structures vary greatly as do, for example, coloration and hair characteristics.

photo courtesy : www.lookd.com

see more info about dog body's here

these are common characteristic of dog that you can see below to view a comparison by breed.

• Affectionate with family
• Amount of shedding
• Apartment appropriate
• Cold tolerance
• Compatible with kids
• Dog friendly
• Drooling potential
• Ease at being home alone
• Ease of training
• Easy to groom
• Energy level
• Friendly toward strangers
• General health
• Good for novice owners
• Heat tolerance
• Intelligence
• Mouthiness
• Need for exercise
• Playfulness
• Potential for weight gain
• Predatory tendencies
• Sensitivity
• Tendency to bark or howl
• Vigor
• Wanderlust
• Watchdog ability

And here are the links about the facts & related information about dogs that you can find out.

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog
2. http://dogtime.com/dog-breeds/characteristic/compatible-with-kids
3. http://www.lookd.com/dogs/anatomy.html
4. http://petrix.com/dognames/
5. http://www.nextdaypets.com/directory/breeds/
6. http://dogs.about.com/od/dogcarebasics/General_Dog_Care_For_Everyday.htm
7. http://dogbehavioronline.com/
8. http://www.trendypuppy.com/
9. http://www.dog-obedience-training-review.com/
10. http://www.expertvillage.com/video-series/614_dog-grooming-basics.htm
11. http://www.topdogboarding.com/
12. http://www.toydog.net/
13. http://www.terrificpets.com/dogs_for_sale/
14. http://www.acatdog.com/
15. http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/
16. http://www.dailypuppy.com/
17. http://www.gotpetsonline.com/

Sources : Wikipedia
dogtime.com
www.lookd.com