We explain what a dog is and what its main characteristics are. We also explain its diet, reproduction and types of breeds.
What is a dog?
The dog is a domestic mammal that belongs to the group of carnivores. It is a subspecies of the gray wolf, which is considered its ancestor, and has similarities to foxes and jackals.
It has played a very important role in the history of human civilization because it was one of the first animals to be domesticated. It has been with humans for more than 20,000 years and it is estimated that there are about 400 different breeds of dogs around the world.
They can express their moods and communicate through gestures, barking, growling, body posture and tail movements. They usually have an expressive look and are capable of establishing very affectionate and loyal bonds with humans.
Dog characteristics
Dogs are characterized by:
- Be very affectionate with humans.
- Have a very keen sense of smell.
- Have a wide hearing spectrum.
- Be able to detect movement and light at a distance.
- Having an external skin that is renewed periodically.
Dogs They are sociable beings and live in packs with other dogs or humans.. They usually live about 13 or 15 years and, some, like the small breed, reach 17 years. Quality of life, both through diet and health care, is an influencing factor for life expectancy.
Male dogs often leave urine trails when they walk in places other than their home, to identify the route when they return. They also do this to mark their territory for other dogs.
The most developed sense that dogs have is their sense of smell, which is a million times more sensitive than that of humans. They can detect barely perceptible odours or distinguish between very similar aromas. Through their sense of smell, they interpret the world around them; for example, they obtain more information about food through smell than through taste.
They have a highly developed hearing spectrum and can detect frequencies up to 60,000 Hz compared to humans, who can detect frequencies up to 20,000 Hz. For this reason, they feel sounds much more intense compared to humans, such as the noises of an engine or fireworks.
Their great hearing ability allows them to be guardians and good hunters since they can be alerted in time thanks to their ability to pick up very slight sounds or those that come from distant distances. In addition, their retina perceives movement and light better compared to people, although they do not distinguish a great chromatic amplitude.
Dog skin is made up of several layers. The outer one contains the fur and the inner one, which is thinner and more sensitive than human skin, protects them and helps them regulate their body temperature, both for cold and heat. When they feel threatened or want to impress, they usually raise their fur to appear larger or more robust.
Dog feeding
Dogs They are carnivores, like their ancestors, the wolves.They have 42 teeth designed to tear apart their prey. Between four and nine months of age, they usually change their teeth for permanent teeth. In addition, their salivary glands secrete abundant saliva to start the digestion process in the mouth.
Due to domestication by humans, They also usually eat cooked vegetables or cerealssuch as rice, and balanced foods that concentrate all the nutrients necessary to maintain good health. Depending on their age and lifestyle, they need to consume between 1,300 and 3,500 calories per day.
Dog reproduction
The reproductive capacity of dogs occurs at an early ageboth with the sexual maturity of females (which occurs between 8 and 12 months after the onset of their first heat), and with the sexual maturity of males (which occurs a little later, from 15 months onwards). However, for better development of the dog, it is advisable to allow mating from a year and a half onwards.
Pregnancy in females usually lasts two months. Small-sized bitches usually give birth to two or three puppies., while the largest ones can have between five and seven offspring. The number of babies will depend on the breed, health and other aspects of the female.
Dog teething
Formally recognized dog breeds exceed 400 types worldwide, according to the International Cynological Federation (FCI), which is responsible for controlling and promoting the pedigree of dogs, and recognizes the following ten general groups:
- Group 1. Shepherd and Cattle Dogs.
- Group 2. Pinscher and Schnauzer type dogs.
- Group 3. Terriers.
- Group 4. Dachshunds.
- Team 5. Spitz and primitive type dogs.
- Group 6. Bloodhounds, scent hounds and similar dogs.
- Group 7. Pointing dogs (with innate hunting ability).
- Group 8. Hunting dogs in water and lifters.
- Group 9. Companion dogs.
- Group 10. Dogs capable of running at high speed (sighthounds).
In addition to the dogs considered purebred, there are many dogs that arise from the most diverse crossbreeds, especially strays. It is very important to adopt dogs that have no home because they are sentient beings and their life on the street is conditioned by life in human society.
In a natural environment without the intervention of domestication by humans, dogs would live in a wild environment. But city life and the domestication of man have made dogs very dependent on humans in order to live healthily.
It is people’s responsibility to neuter pets, even those who are not family members but live on the streets. There are various organizations and volunteers around the world that collaborate with free or low-cost castration campaigns to help control and prevent dogs from continuing to be born on the streets.