The Dog

Essay by Pablo VidalHigh School, 11th gradeA+, December 1996

download word file, 15 pages 2.7

Downloaded 99 times

Excellent report on the different biological aspects of Dogs Great Job

THE DOG

Domestic dog, carnivorous mammal, generally considered the first domesticated animal. The domesticated dog has coexisted with human beings as a working partner and household pet in all eras and cultures since the days of the cave dwellers. It is generally believed that the direct ancestor of the domestic dog is the wolf, originally found throughout Europe, Asia, and North America. Remains of a dog, estimated to be 10,500 years old, have been found in Idaho.

TAXONOMY

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Mammalia

Order: Carnivora

Family: Canidae

Genus: Canis

Species: Canis familiaris

ECOLOGY & HABITAT

Little is known about wild dogs of the past but that they are carnivores: hunters and scavengers. This means that they are secondary consumers in web chains. Eventhough they are carnivores they sometimes accept eating green plants. The ecology of dogs right know is that it helps the human in many fields of life.

Since the cave dweller times, dogs have been domesticated by humans and it has helped him to hunt, in herding, protection, etc. It has been very important as a work animal and as a psychological support for humans. The habitat of the dog is where it's owner lives. Different dogs have different adaptations to their ancestral habitat but nowadays, this is not applicable.

ANATOMY

SKELETON

The skeleton of the dog is the articulated structure, moved by the muscles, that holds the dog's body and protects some organs and the nervous system. It also functions as mineral and blood deposit of the body. The skeleton of a dog is made up of approximately 321 bones: 134 form the axial skeleton (skull, vertebrae, ribs, etc.), and 186 form the appendicular skeleton (appendages). An extra bone has to be added for...