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The scientific name of Dogs is Canis lupus familiaris. Dogs are domestic mammals who are mainly carnivorous in nature. Dogs make great pets to humans due to their sense of loyalty, smell and sight along with their affectionate and friendly nature.
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Key words: Dog, Taxonomy, Scientific name, Mammalia, Canis lupus familiaris
Classification of Dog
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Dogs are in the family Canidae, while the genus Canis means “dogs” and also includes wolves, coyotes and jackals. The subfamily is Caninae. Dogs are known as being the subspecies of much more ferocious animal such as the Gray Wolf, whose scientific name is Canis lupus. Hence, a dog’s scientific name is derived from its superspecies, the Canis lupus.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Family | Canidae |
| Sub-family | Caninae |
| Genus | Canis |
It is speculated that the modern day dogs are the descendants of wolves and this transformation happened due to domestication, however unsure of how and when. According to DNA analysis done by the scientist, it is believed that this domestication occurred about 130000 years ago.
Learn More About:
| Concepts Related to This Topic | ||
|---|---|---|
| Biodiversity in Plants and Animals | Living Things | Taxonomic Hierarchy |
| Diversity in Living Organism | Numerical Taxonomy | Herbarium |
| Scientific Names | Flora and Fauna | Genus |
Facts about Dog
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The following are some popular facts and characteristics about Dog:
- Dogs, scientifically known as Canis lupus familiaris, are homeothermic i.e are able to maintain their own body temperature.
- The normal temperature in a dog is about 100-102.5 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Dogs are red-green color blind.
- There are 7 different types of dogs.
- Prey dogs are considered to be the most dangerous dogs due to their huge muscle mass and strong bites.
- A dog’s nose acts as its fingerprint.
- Whiskers help dogs see in the dark as they are packed with nerves and send sensory messages to the brain.
Things to Remember
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- The scientific name of dogs is Canis lupus familiaris.
- Dogs are descendants of the gray wolf.
- Dogs have a better sense of smell and hearing than humans.
- There are 7 different types of dogs.
- Dog’s whiskers have nerves which help in the sensory working when dark.
- Dogs are able to maintain their inner body temperature i.e. are homeothermic.
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Sample Questions
Ques: What is the scientific name of dogs? (1 mark)
Ans: Canis lupus familiaris is the scientific name of dogs.
Ques: Which is the largest dog in the world? (1 mark)
Ans: Great Danes are the tallest dog breed whereas the English Mastiffs are the heaviest dogs in the world.
Ques: Which is the smallest dog in the world? (1 mark)
Ans: The smallest dog breed in the world is Chihuahua.
Ques: What are the seven types of dogs? (1 mark)
Ans: The seven types of dogs are: Sporting, Herding, Hound, Terrier, Working, Toy and Non-sporting.
Ques: What colors can dogs see? (1 mark)
Ans: Dogs have dichromatic vision that means they possess dual cones and can discern only blue and yellow.
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