This article is about the domestic dog. For related species known as "dogs", see Canidae. For other uses, see Dog (disambiguation).
"Doggie" redirects here. For the Danish artist, seeDoggie (artist).
Montage showing the morphological variation of the dog.
The domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris or Canis familiaris)[2] is a member of genus Canis (canines) that forms part of the wolf-like canids,[3] and is the most widely abundantcarnivore.[4][5][6] The dog and the extantgray wolf are sister taxa,[7][8][9] with modern wolves not closely related to the wolves that were first domesticated.[8][9]The dog was the first domesticated species[9][10] and has been selectively bred over millennia for various behaviors, sensory capabilities, and physical attributes.[11]
Their long association with humans has led dogs to be uniquely attuned to human behavior[12] and they are able to thrive on a starch-rich diet that would be inadequate for other canid species.[13]Dogs vary widely in shape, size and colours.[14] Dogs perform many roles for people, such as hunting, herding, pulling loads, protection, assisting police andmilitary, companionship and, more recently, aiding handicapped individuals. This influence on human society has given them the sobriquet, "man's best friend".
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