The dog (Canis lupus familiaris) is a domesticated subspecies of the gray wolf, a mammal of the Canidae family of the order Carnivora. The term encompasses both feral and pet varieties and is also sometimes used to describe wild canids of other subspecies or species. The domestic dog has been one of the most widely kept working and companion animals in human history, as well as being a food source in some cultures. There are estimated to be 400 million dogs in the world.
The dog has developed into hundreds of varied breeds. 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; and, 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, however some non-shedding breeds are also popular.
Taxonomy
The English word dog, in common usage, refers to the domestic pet dog, Canis lupus familiaris. The species was originally classified as Canis familiaris and Canis familiarus domesticus by Linnaeus in 1758. In 1993, dogs were reclassified as a subspecies of the gray wolf, Canis lupus, by the Smithsonian Institution and the American Society of Mammalogists. "Dog" is sometimes used to refer collectively to any mammal belonging to the family Canidae (as in "the dog family"), such as wolves, foxes, and coyotes. Some members of the family have "dog" in their common names, such as the Raccoon Dog and the African Wild Dog. A few animals have "dog" in their common names but are not canids, such as the prairie dog and the dog fish.
Ref : http://en.wikipedia.org
Cold Weather Tips for Dogs
This is my first post of my blog... The winter comes in my location, I think this topic is very important for me to take care my dog... I found this tip from Krista Mifflin's blog, it's very useful to treat our dogs...
Weathering the Winter Warmly
Weather changes affect us all, even our fur-encased dogs. You might think that that nice warm coat of fur is sufficient to keep the chill off, but it really is not. Add in the overall atmospheric changes, the storms, and of course: the ice and snow, and your dog has a lot to deal with, especially if he's more often outside than in! Follow these guidelines for making your dog's winter as comfortable and warm as yours is.
Dog-Proof During the Holiday Festivities
Dogs are smart and scavengers, and the two traits combined can spell trouble really fast when there is people food hanging around. ome of the goodies people put out for the holidays may be toxic to your dog (chocolate, I'm looking in your direction), and some of it will just make your dog put on a lot of weight. So put up your holiday goodies in a safe place; where even a tall dog can't reach them.
More Exercise
It's tempting to just curl up and let the winter pass us by, but the best way to stay warm is to be active. That goes for dogs too. Amp up your dog's exercise regimen and you'll be both be warmer!
Give Me Shelter
Especially important for dogs that spend most (or all) of their day outside, a good, strong shelter to keep the wind off is essential. Dogs can freeze to death, even the Nordic breeds with their thick, shaggy fur. Your dog's winter dog house should be well-insulated and just big enough for him to stand up, turn around, and lie down completely inside comfortably. A doghouse that is too big won't contain your dog's body heat and stay warm.
Fresh Water
Snow is not a water substitute. In fact, eating snow can increase your dogs thirdst and bring his body temperature down, putting him at risk for hypothermia. Make sure your dog always has easy access to fresh, not frozen, water.
Keep the Antifreeze Out of Reach
Wipe up any spills from your car and keep the jug in a secure location. Antifreeze is a sweet-tasting, and fast-acting poison, so be sure that your dog can't get to any of it. You might also want to consider switching to a non-toxic antifreeze product as well.
Ref : http://dogs.about.com
Weathering the Winter Warmly
Weather changes affect us all, even our fur-encased dogs. You might think that that nice warm coat of fur is sufficient to keep the chill off, but it really is not. Add in the overall atmospheric changes, the storms, and of course: the ice and snow, and your dog has a lot to deal with, especially if he's more often outside than in! Follow these guidelines for making your dog's winter as comfortable and warm as yours is.
Dog-Proof During the Holiday Festivities
Dogs are smart and scavengers, and the two traits combined can spell trouble really fast when there is people food hanging around. ome of the goodies people put out for the holidays may be toxic to your dog (chocolate, I'm looking in your direction), and some of it will just make your dog put on a lot of weight. So put up your holiday goodies in a safe place; where even a tall dog can't reach them.
More Exercise
It's tempting to just curl up and let the winter pass us by, but the best way to stay warm is to be active. That goes for dogs too. Amp up your dog's exercise regimen and you'll be both be warmer!
Give Me Shelter
Especially important for dogs that spend most (or all) of their day outside, a good, strong shelter to keep the wind off is essential. Dogs can freeze to death, even the Nordic breeds with their thick, shaggy fur. Your dog's winter dog house should be well-insulated and just big enough for him to stand up, turn around, and lie down completely inside comfortably. A doghouse that is too big won't contain your dog's body heat and stay warm.
Fresh Water
Snow is not a water substitute. In fact, eating snow can increase your dogs thirdst and bring his body temperature down, putting him at risk for hypothermia. Make sure your dog always has easy access to fresh, not frozen, water.
Keep the Antifreeze Out of Reach
Wipe up any spills from your car and keep the jug in a secure location. Antifreeze is a sweet-tasting, and fast-acting poison, so be sure that your dog can't get to any of it. You might also want to consider switching to a non-toxic antifreeze product as well.
Ref : http://dogs.about.com
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