Introduction to Dogs

AnSci 200 Exam #4

How long ago were dogs domesticated?

Over 10-12,000 ya

Are dogs a pack animal?

Yes, important in training

What are dogs derived from?

A predator (wolf-like)

When have the most dog breeds been developed?

In the last 150-200 years

Intact male dog

Dog (stud)

Female dog

Bitch

Young dog

Pups

What is dog parturition called?

Whelping

What is docking?

Removing the tail of an animal

When does docking occcur?

Within a few days of birth

What is cropping?

Cutting ears and holding in place with tape

When does cropping occur?

8-12 weeks after birth

What are the withers?

Point at the top of the shoulder (where height would be measured)

Characteristics of dog’s sight:

• Dichromatic

• Better in low-light

• Better motion detection

• Breed variation

• Poorer acuity

What does dichromatic mean?

Red-green color blindness

What is poor acuity?

Poor ability to see things up close

Characteristics of dog’s hearing:

• Can hear higher-pitched sounds

• Maybe hear lower volume sounds

• Mobile ears: locate source of sounds

What sense is considered the most important in dogs?

Smell

How many smell receptors do dogs have?

400+ million receptors

How many smell receptors do humans have?

5+ million receptors

T or F: Dogs can sense odors at concentrations 100 million times lower?

True

Do dogs or humans have better taste?

Humans

How many taste buds do humans have?

9000

How many taste buds do dogs have?

1706

What sense is the sense of taste closely related to?

Sense of smell

Considerations with dog ownership:

• Do you have time?

• Can you afford a dog?

• Does housing allow it?

• Vacation / travel situation?

• Plans for the next 10-15 years?

• Allergies?

Basic dog care:

• Housing

• License/identification

• Spay/neuter

• Eventual disposal

• Grooming

Considerations with grooming process:

• Brush dog to control shedding

• Check for fleas and ticks

• Bathe at least a few times per year

• Clip nails bi-weekly or monthly

• Brush its teeth

What should you consider when choosing a type of dog?

Your personal preference (look, size, action, trainability, personality, housing, etc)

What are purebred dogs?

Have parents of the same breed

What are mixed breed dogs?

Have parents of different breeds

What is the main purebred advantage?

It has overall predictability

• Know appearance when mature

• Know adult size

• Know behavior

What is the main mixed breed advantage?

Has lower risk of inherited diseases

What are the 7 Groups of AKC Dog Grouping?

1. Sporting

2. Hounds

3. Working Breeds

4. Terrier

5. Toy Breeds

6. Non-Sporting Breeds

7. Herding

Group 1: Sporting Characteristics

• Naturally active and alert

• Group includes pointers, retrievers, setters, and spaniels

• Remarkable instincts in water and woods

• Many participate in hunting/field activities, esp. for birds

• Require rigor, invigorating exercise

Sporting Breeds

• Laborador Retriever

• Brittany

• Irish Setter

• Cocker Spaniel

• Vizsla

What is pointing?

When a dog smells a bird, they will freeze in a “pointing” position

• Normally raise front foot and point nose in direction of bird

What does it mean when people say a dog has a soft mouth?

The dog is bred to retrieve bird, but not chew it up

Group 2: Hounds Characteristics

• Diverse group used for hunting and tracking

• Some use scenting to find prey, others use sight or stamina

  • Scent: nose to the ground

  • Sight: eyes up

• Some can produce a unique sound known as baying

Hound Breeds

• Dachshund

• Bloodhound

• Afghan Hound (sight)

• Beagle

• Greyhound (sight)

Group 3: Working Breeds Characteristics

• Bred to perform jobs, including guarding property, pulling sleds, water rescue, guarding livestock

• Intelligent, capable, and fast learners

• Considerable dimensions and strength

• Some may be unsuitable for average families

  • Size

  • Strength

  • Intelligence

  • Energy Level

Working Breed Breeds

• Komondor

• Mastiff

• Great Dane

• Rottweiler

• Samoyed

Group 4: Terriers Characteristics

• Energetic, and feisty character

• Bred to hunt and kill vermin

• Require owners with determination

  • Training is challenging

  • Not a soft mouth

Terrier Breeds

• Kerry Blue

• Staffordshire Bull Terrier

• Rocket

• Scottish Terrier

Group 5: Toy Breeds Characteristics

• Bred to be pets, companions

• Have longer life-spans

• Great for apartments or small spaces

• Easier to control, shed less, cost less, eat less food

Toy Breeds Breeds

• Pug

• Pomeranian

• Japanese Chin

• Brussels Griffon

• Yorkshire Terrier

Group 6: Non-Sporting Breeds Characteristics

• Vary in size and disposition

• Most developed for a specific purpose

Non-Sporting Breeds Breeds

• Bulldog

• Boston Terrier

• Chow Chow

• Dalmatian

Group 7: Herding Characteristics

• Very intelligent and respond well to training

• Control the movement of other animals

• Need a lot of exercise, something to herd

Herding Breeds

• Shetland Sheepdog

• German Shepherd

• Pembroke Welsh Corgi

• Old English Sheepdog

• Australian Cattle Dog

Designer Dog Breeds

• Labradoodles, Golden doodles

• Bullnese

• Gointer

• Papichon

Top 10 Most Popular Breeds (2016)

1. Labrador Retriever

2. German Shepherd Dog

3. Golden Retriever

4. Bulldogs

5. Beagle

6. French Bulldogs

7. Poodle

8. Rottweiler

9. Yorkshire Terrier

10. Boxers