All about dogs: types, selection, content and interesting facts

The dog is one of the most popular pets in the world. Animals are distinguished by a high level of intelligence, good learning ability and social behavior. Not every dog ​​breeder has complete information about the characteristics of this animal. Everything about dogs, namely the types, subtleties of choice and content, as well as interesting facts about them will be discussed in more detail in this article.

The first mention of dogs as a separate species dates back to 1758. In 1993, the classification was adjusted and the animals were decided to be included in the subspecies of the wolf. There are several theories about the emergence of dogs.

Scientists also disagree: whether the dogs occurred as a result of crossing two close groups of animals or from one species. The kinship of dogs and wolves has been proven during research. It is believed that it was the dogs that became the very first domesticated animals.

At the moment, there is no reliable information and the exact date of the appearance of dogs. However, all scientists agreed that animals managed to be tamed back in the ancient world. A general idea of ​​the origin was obtained thanks to ancient cave paintings and other archaeological finds.

In the northeastern territories, dogs were present in human life already in the Mesolithic era. According to scientists, dogs were the only pets in this period. The individuals that existed in this historical era were distinguished by a powerful jaw and impressive dimensions.

Archaeological finds have provided some insight into the role of animals in human life between the Paleolithic and the Neolithic. First of all, dogs were used for hunting. According to the marks on the bones found, scientists suggest that the animals were butchered in order to use the bone part and the skin to make various things. Dog meat was most likely eaten.

Genetic studies have come up with several versions of the emergence and domestication of dogs. Thanks to scientists from the University of California, it was discovered that all dogs have one common ancestor, which, in turn, came from wolves as a result of evolutionary development about 135,000 years ago.

As a result of DNA analysis of representatives of various breeds, scientists from Sweden came to the conclusion that animals were first tamed in China about 16,300 years ago. American scientist Robert Wayne believes that this event was 40,000 years ago.

Research biologists from the University of Turku (Finland), in contrast, suggest that the first dogs appeared in Europe. The domestication of animals occurred no more than 32,100 years ago. As for information about older dogs, it is most likely that these individuals were wolves that they tried to tame. Recent studies were conducted in 2015 by American and Swedish scientists. They again suggested that dogs appeared in Asia about 33,000 years ago.

There are several versions of the domestication of dog ancestors. According to the first version, the wolves themselves acted as the initiator of establishing relationships with humans and nailed to humans. Another version says that taming occurred solely due to the initiative and actions of man. It is likely that the ancestors of modern dogs appeared in no particular region, but in several places at different time periods.

If we consider the version of the "self-domestication" of wolves, then scientists suggest that this could happen if weak individuals were expelled from the pack.

As for the role of the dog in the life of a primitive man, the main version is the use of animals as an assistant in hunting. Dogs could also be used to protect the territory. However, their main task was to help get food.

Dog breeding became most relevant when the first social groups began to form. People began to develop and expand into large territories. Dogs became assistants in housekeeping and were trained to graze herds, and also helped to hunt and acted as a guard of the home.

Today, there are a large number of different breeds of dogs. They differ from each other both in character and in exterior. To assess the various criteria of animals, a concept such as construction was highlighted. The term includes a combination of several characteristics at once, for example, such as physical development, health status and fertility. Classification by type of structure is as follows:

• dry;
• loose;
• strong;
• gentle;
• rude.

It is believed that this classification is not always suitable for an accurate description of representatives of a particular breed. Often, dogs are between two different types of designs.

The parameters of animals depend not only on the breed, but also on individual physiological characteristics.Among the champions in terms of weight and height, one can distinguish representatives of the breeds German Great Dane and English mastiff. Among the dogs, a record growth of 109 cm was recorded with a mass of 111 kg and a body length of 221 cm. A mastiff record was 155.6 kg with a growth of 94 cm.

The growth of dogs is usually determined by the withers. The withers are a convex section between the shoulder blades. This area is the highest point of the back. The back, in turn, is called the area from the withers to the lower back.

The lumbar region should also be with strong muscles, wide and short. The loin should not sag or be too flat or too convex. The norm is a small tubercle in this area.

The rear upper part of the animal body is called “croup”. The pelvic bones are located in this area. Wide, sturdy and short croup provides good stability of the hind legs. The back of the body can lean slightly towards the tail, the main thing is that this transition is smooth.

The thoracic section in animals should also be well developed. The normal form of the chest is an oval, which has a blunt upper edge and a pointed bottom. The line of the abdomen should be located above the line of the chest.

As for the tail of animals, it can have a different shape and size. In this case, the norms and deviations depend on the standards of the breed in question. In terms of size, the tail can be either short or long. In the first case, it will be above the hocks, and in the second - below.

According to the position, the tails can be raised and lowered. In some breeds, the tail must be stopped by standard. This part of the body is necessary for animals to coordinate movements. Dogs also use the tail when communicating with humans and other animals.

The limbs of dogs are necessary for movement, and are also a support for the entire body. Depending on the breed, the size of the legs and the structure of the paws can have their own characteristics. Each species on all paws has four supporting fingers with claws that cannot be retracted inward.

On the forelimbs there is also a fifth finger, which can be located at different levels. In some breeds, it is quite high and almost invisible.

The shape and size of the dog’s head is directly dependent on the pet’s membership in a particular breed. It can be short, elongated, or in exact proportions with respect to the body. As for the shape and volume, there are heavy heads, rough with sharp lines, as well as light with smooth transitions.

Ears of different breeds have differences in size, shape and location. Their size is usually determined in relation to the dimensions of the head. Distinguish between ears large and small, short and long. The following types of canine ears are also distinguished:

• hanging;
• half-hanging;
• standing up.

The total number of teeth of an adult healthy dog ​​should be 42. There are 20 on the upper jaw and 22 on the lower jaw.

Wool has a protective function against adverse environmental influences. It is also necessary to maintain optimal body temperature. The hairline consists of undercoat and wool. Some breeds may not have undercoat - in this case we are talking about short-haired species.

The hair structure of representatives of different breeds also has its own characteristics. The hair may curl slightly, be curly or curled, and also vary in texture. Each breed also has its own standard for hair color and its possible options.

Like humans, dogs have 5 senses. Dogs are different excellent sense of smell, which is much better developed than in humans. The severity of the scent largely depends on the breed and the individual characteristics of the body. Dog sensitivity can be improved with regular training.

Hearing in animals is also much better than in humans. Dogs are capable of receiving ultrasonic signals up to 40 kHz. Vision in dogs also has its own characteristics.

But the dogs distinguish shades of gray perfectly, and they need less light to determine the shape and location of the subject. therefore animals see and navigate in the dark much better than people. Another distinctive feature of dogs' eyesight is that each of their eyes perceives information separately. Already the brain combines two pictures into one and gives the animal a complete picture of the environment.

The sense of touch in dogs is superbly developed, and they are able to feel the slightest touch on the hairline. Also, animals instantly respond to temperature changes. As for the perception of tastes, it is believed that a person in this case is superior to dogs. Despite the fact that dogs can distinguish between sweet, salty, bitter and sour, they have fewer taste buds than humans.

The life expectancy of a particular individual is greatly influenced by the general state of health, breed, proper nutrition, and also the features of its content. Some breeds have a rather long lifespan, which is about 20 years. In other species, this indicator can be much lower. For example, German shepherds and ordinary boxers live about 13 years.

Puppies grow up quite quickly and become independent. Dogs reach the peak of their development by the age of 5, after which the body begins to gradually age. The pet gradually loses activity and may have health problems.

Regular monitoring by a doctor will allow you to detect health problems in time and prevent the development of any disease.

It is impossible to give an unambiguous answer to the question of whether to get a dog. Animals have advantages and disadvantages both in general terms and in each breed in particular. It is also worth noting that each individual is individual and has its own character and habits. In addition, some people may simply prefer other pets, or the dogs will not suit a particular person according to other criteria.

Before making the final decision to buy a dog, it is necessary to carefully study all the features of this animal and the nuances of its content. First of all, you need to consider the fact that the pet will take up a lot of time. For full development and well-being the dog must often be in contact with its owner and with other individuals of its species.

It is not recommended that you leave your pet alone in the house for many hours daily., and at the current pace of life it is almost impossible. Even if the animal will patiently wait for the owner from work, this does not mean that he is comfortable living in such conditions.

For this reason It is not recommended to have such a pet for people who, for one reason or another, are not able to devote enough time to it and often disappear at work. Any dog ​​needs educational activities and training. Otherwise, the animal can grow up naughty and live with it will be quite difficult.

The owner will need a lot of patience and perseverance, so that the training process gives positive results. If the animal is mistreated, it can harm its psyche, so it is better not to have such a hot-tempered animal. It is worth being prepared for the fact that for dogs will have to constantly allocate certain funds from the budget.

Pet needs in proper nutrition with high-quality feed, regular care and vaccination. In addition, you will need many different little things to keep your pet, for example, bowls, toys, leashes and so on. In order for a pet to grow up healthy, it must be periodically monitored by a veterinarian.

Before making a final decision, it is necessary to consider not only the possible difficulties of keeping a dog, but also the benefits of having such a companion. First of all, having a pet accustoms you to responsibility and care.

Contact with the pet will have a beneficial effect on the mood as a whole, and regular walks in the fresh air will also improve health. Some breeds of dogs are useful for humans from a practical point of view. For example, a pet can be a great watchman or hunting assistant.

Often a dog for a person is not only a friend, but also an assistant in various matters. Service dogs are widely used in search, watch and other events. Due to their excellent sense of smell, they are often used to search for missing people and some object, as well as in the service to fight criminals. In addition, dogs can save people in extreme situations, for example, pulled out of the water or from the rubble.

A dog can be an indispensable tool for farmers. Herding breeds do an excellent job of looking after the herd. Trained dogs can become excellent hunters or watchmen. Some species may act as nannies and look after young children or the elderly.

Separately, it is worth noting guide dogs which make life easier for blind people. It is believed that animals also have a positive effect on human health.

Like all living things, dogs have a sense of fear. No matter how big and formidable the dog may be, certain things will still frighten him, and in no case do not need to relate to the feelings of the animal with neglect. Each individual can have its own fears and, if possible, the pet should be protected from stressful situations.

Dogs have very good hearing, and therefore they can react violently to sharp and loud sounds. Some individuals relate to sound stimuli more calmly, but in any case it is undesirable with your pet to slam the door loudly, fire salutes or blow up crackers.

With improper upbringing, the dog may not socialize, which will lead to a number of problems. One of them is increased anxiety and timidity. Such individuals will be afraid of both humans and animals.

Some individuals may have so-called learned fear. Most often it appears if the animal has been physically abused and is now afraid of a similar situation. For example, if a dog was beaten with a stick, then he will be afraid or, on the contrary, show aggression at the sight of a person with a club in his hand. If the pet was offended by children, then he will be wary and negatively of this age group.

Dogs can interact perfectly with humans and other animals. It should be remembered that each individual will have its own set of individual qualities. Behavioral characteristics and character depend on heredity and upbringing. All dogs have an innate ability to analyze human gestures and voice and thus determine their intentions.

The level of intelligence in animals is quite high. Studies have shown that they cope with intellectual tasks. It is believed that the mental abilities of different breeds will have differences. Intelligence and development are influenced by individual characteristics of an individual, the correctness of training and training, as well as acquired life experience.

Dogs can study the properties of various objects, as well as group them in shape. Dogs use vocalization to communicate with humans and other animals.

The sounds that dogs make are similar to those made by the voice signals of wolves. For the most part, the difference is that dogs are less likely to howl, but instead mostly use barking. The volume and other characteristics of the emitted signals can determine the mood of the animal.

A pet can bark in a variety of situations, whether it is a joyful meeting with the owner or aggression towards a stranger. In an angry dog, the tonality of the sounds emitted is much lower than in an animal that exhibits positive emotions. Howls in canids are longer in time, and such a signal is mainly used to maintain communication with other individuals.

A squeal in dogs is a high-frequency sound that signals that the animal is in pain or fear. A growl is nothing more than a menacing signal. Dogs whine, first of all, in order to attract attention to themselves, so that people can help them cope with a particular problem.

Dogs are considered the most social of all kinds of pets. They willingly come into contact with both humans and other animals. For communication, dogs use sound signals, as well as sign language and facial expressions.

Today, there are more than 400 different breeds of dogs. Among them there are both popular and very rare species. In terms of size, all breeds can be divided into small, medium and large.

The top of the best little dogs are undoubtedly Chihuahuas. Such animals are distinguished by the smallest dimensions, bulging eyes and protruding ears. The coat can be either short or long. Body weight varies from 500 g to 3 kg.

Representatives of this breed are distinguished by activity and natural curiosity. Aggression in individuals should be completely absent, since this quality is considered a deviation from the standard of the species.

One of the popular medium breeds is Siberian Husky. Dogs have earned popularity due to their attractive appearance and good disposition. Particularly impressive are individuals with blue eyes. Initially, they were used exclusively as sleds.

Such animals are very active and in conditions of detention in the apartment they need regular and long walks. With insufficient physical activity, the pet may begin to behave not in the best way: spoil the property or even run away. Due to the friendly nature, husky dogs are not suitable for the role of hunter or guard.

Representatives of large breeds are best suited for keeping in a private house, as they require a lot of space. Recently, they are gaining more and more popularity. Central Asian Shepherd Dog, or Alabai. The growth of an adult animal at the withers can reach 70 cm, and body weight - 50 kg. The body of the dogs is powerful and muscular.

These dogs are good guards and protectors.For the development of their working qualities, it is necessary to take a responsible approach to education and training. Alabai are also distinguished by calm and poise, and therefore will not attack a person just like that.

Before buying a puppy, you first need to determine the breed. It is necessary to build on not only personal sympathy for the appearance or any other characteristics of the dog, but also on considerations of practicality. Some breeds are better suited for a private house, and some for keeping in an apartment.

Depending on the functions of the dogs can be distinguished hunting breeds, guard and shepherd. It is important to evaluate the financial aspect, as the cost of different breeds can vary greatly.

Each species also has its own nuances in the maintenance and care, which also need to be considered. When it was possible to determine a specific breed, it is recommended to study information on where and how to choose the right puppy. It is best to purchase an animal from professional breeders and with documents. This will lower the risk of marriage or fraud.

The nuances of keeping a dog depend primarily on the breed. Some species are designed exclusively for living in apartments, while someone is better to keep in open-air cages. In any case, each pet will need its own personal place, regular walks and proper feeding.

Before the appearance of the animal in the house It is recommended to purchase all the necessary items for its maintenance, for example: bowls, collars and, if necessary, a muzzle, toys, bedding and so on. It is also recommended to immediately buy special tools and care products: lotions and shampoos, scratchers and nail clippers. To the appearance of a puppy in the house it is worth taking all responsibility, developing a diet and a mode of walks for him, as well as preparing feed in advance.

The basis of proper nutrition for dogs of any breed and age is a balanced diet. Pet should daily receive the necessary trace elements and vitamins for it. The amount of food is calculated individually for each individual. It depends on the size, age and lifestyle of the pet.

Packages with prepared feeds usually have ready-made portion calculations and feeding recommendations.

With a natural diet, meat products should make up a large part of the diet, namely 2/3. The remaining 1/3 is food of plant origin. With regard to specific volumes, for an adult, the amount of natural food per day should be 4% of body weight. For puppies, this norm can be no more than 6%.

As for the frequency of feeding, it also depends on the age of the individual. Small puppies can be fed up to 6 times a day. After 3 months, the number of doses should be gradually reduced. First, up to 3-4 times a day, and after six months, switch to two meals a day.

Giving food to the animal is desirable at the same time. No need to leave bowls with food in the public domain for the whole day, and half-eaten foods need to be thrown right away. During the day, the dog can drink a lot, especially in the hot season. Pet access to clean and fresh water should be ongoing.

When compiling a menu for a pet, you need to study information about necessary and prohibited products. First of all, dogs need protein food. However, it should be borne in mind that meat for the pet should be lean, such as beef and horse meat.

Meat products can be pre-boiled or given fresh, but only after freezing and thawing. In addition to meat, you can include offal in the diet.Fillet of sea fish and seafood give no more than once a week.

In addition to meat, dogs need to be given plant foods. It can be cereals from various cereals, as well as some vegetables and fruits. If most dogs like fruits because of their sweet taste, then not every individual will want vegetables. Therefore, vegetables should be finely chopped and added to meat or porridge.

Not more often than a couple of times a week, animals can be given a few eggs and dairy products. Only small puppies can consume pure milk, but adults are simply not able to digest it.

Many dogs like to beg for food, but do not indulge your pet and feed him food from the table. A large amount of food familiar to humans can harm the animal. For dogs, chocolate and other sweets, fatty foods, pastries, mushrooms and some fruits can be dangerous.

The complexity of pet care will depend largely on which breed it belongs to. Common measures for all dogs are timely vaccination and treatment against helminths and skin parasites. Also, animals need care for the hair, which consists in washing and combing. Some breeds require periodic hair cutting.

The teeth, eyes and ears of dogs need regular examination, and sometimes in the processing of special means. To prevent the appearance of plaque on enamel and the formation of tartar, the pet needs to brush his teeth or buy special bones to clean the mouth. As for the eyes, wiping them with a special lotion is necessary in case of contamination.

With the auricles, the situation will be identical: periodic inspection and cleaning as it becomes soiled. However, dogs with hanging ears are recommended to be treated at least once a week. It is also necessary to regularly trim the claws of your pet.

Raising a dog is of great importance. It is necessary to engage in animal training from an early age. This process should be taken very seriously, as the result of mistakes can be problems with the psyche and behavior of the pet.

Certain nuances of upbringing will depend on the breed and the nature of the individual. This should always be taken into account during training and, if possible, to seek an individual approach to each individual pet.

Immediately after the puppy appears in the house, he should be accustomed to the nickname, and also show who is the leader in the house. The dog will perceive his new family as a pack, and if the owner cannot defend his leadership, the animal will take over this function. This is fraught primarily with the fact that the pet will become naughty and, possibly, even aggressive.

At first, you need to spend as much time as possible with the dog so that it gets used to the owner faster. In addition to the nickname, the dog in the first months of life must master the simplest commands, such as “Place”, “To me” and “Fu”. During training, a piece of your favorite pet treat is used to consolidate the result when the team is executed correctly.

As for punishments, it is allowed to slightly raise the voice or slap the animal on the croup. The main thing is not to overdo it with the force of the blow and screaming, otherwise you can frighten the dog very much and make it timid and timid. The basis of training individuals of any age is perseverance and patience.

There is a tendency to translate canine age in terms of human. Most often, the results of such calculations are far from reality. One of the most popular ways to do this is to multiply the age of the animal by 7.

Such a translation for human years is incorrect. It’s more correct to use special tables when calculating, for each canine age certain coefficients are indicated, by which it is necessary to multiply in order to bring the animals into line with human years. For example, canine year can be equated to 14 or 16 human. In the second year of life, the pet "reaches" the 24th anniversary. Then, the growth rate slows down a bit.

Representatives of large breeds are believed to age faster. With further conversion of canine age to human, the following scheme can be used: each year, small individuals are equated to 5 years of a person, for large dogs - to 6 and for giant ones to 7. An animal that has reached the age of 16 can be considered 89-year-old by the standards of people .

The owner does not always have information about the age of his pet, since the latter can get into the house no longer as a puppy or from the street. Information about the age of the dog is crucial for developing the right diet, care, breeding and vaccination features.

An experienced veterinarian can easily determine the age of a dog’s teeth. This method can be used independently, based on the following basic data.

• Dog teeth change once in a lifetime. As accurately as possible, you can determine the age of the animal only if it is healthy and does not have jaw deformities.
• If the puppy has completely no teeth, then this suggests that he most recently was born. Such an animal can not be more than 20 days. The first fangs usually begin to erupt in the third week after birth.
• The presence of primary molars in the puppy indicates that he has already reached one month of age. All teeth in puppies grow around the second month.
• In the second month, teeth usually begin to change. First of all, the incisors are replaced. New fangs grow after 5 months. Complete replacement of primary teeth is completed by the year.
• In one year, the dog’s teeth are very white and with tubercles, which will wear out as they grow older.
• In the second year of life, dogs have mounds on the hooks that are on the lower jaw.
• At 4 years old, the teeth of dogs lose their original shine and become dull. The tubercles on the hooks of the upper jaw disappear.
• At 5 years old, yellowing of enamel is usually observed. Fangs can begin to become dull, and also tubercles disappear on them.
• By the sixth year, the teeth turn yellow even more, and the bite begins to seem wrong, as the incisors become concave.
• After 8 years, the condition of the teeth worsens even more. In many individuals, the appearance of strong plaque and tartar can be observed. Fangs are getting shorter and dumber.
• After 10 years, you can observe the absence of some teeth, as well as the presence of caries.

When determining the age of an animal, one can rely not only on the assessment of his teeth. It is also recommended to pay attention to muscle development and behavioral characteristics. Young healthy individuals have stronger muscles and are in motion most of the time. Adult animals become flabby and prefer to sleep more than move.

On the elbows of old dogs, corns can be found. Also, with age, the condition of the coat worsens in dogs: it becomes harder and quickly fouled. Older dogs of dark colors may have gray hairs in the muzzle area.

In addition to positive emotions, dogs can cause certain problems. However, with a competent approach, any difficulties can be easily prevented or eliminated. The main problem is considered lack of time for personal affairs, as the pet requires a lot of attention.

The owner needs to learn how to plan his life ahead. For example, when planning to go on vacation, you need to take care in advance of where and with whom to leave your pet. To properly care for a pet, you need to know as much as possible about its physiological characteristics.

Dogs do not feel well in hot weather. In the heat, they behave differently: they become lethargic, try to find a cool place and lose their appetite. To help your pet, you can put it in the bath and moisten the coat with cool water. Also, in hot weather, a change in the walking and feeding regime is allowed.

Unfortunately, not always a dog is a friend of a person. In certain cases, animals can be extremely dangerous to human health and life. The main threat is the excessive aggressiveness of individual individuals. It is believed that the level of aggression is influenced by the breed of the animal.

However, the main cause of deviant behavior is most often flaws in education or animal abuse. Contrary to popular belief that large breeds are the most dangerous, statistics suggest that small dogs attack humans and other animals at least.

Danger is not always associated with aggressive animal behavior. Peace-loving pets can also harm their master. The fact is that some infectious diseases of dogs can be transmitted to humans. therefore It is very important to carefully monitor the health of your pet.

Even the most experienced dog breeders often do not have all the information about dogs. There are many curious facts about animals. For example, not everyone is aware that dogs can understand the specific meanings of words, and their intelligence corresponds to the level of development of 3-year-olds.

Dogs do not like pungent odors that irritate the nasal mucosa. For example, the well-being of a pet is not best affected by the aroma of pepper or such chemical compounds as varnishes and paints. Dogs do not really like hugs, but scratches are very fond of.

One of the physiological features of dogs is the presence of three pairs of eyelids. At birth, puppies do not see or hear anything. The first developed puppy feeling is touch. Like people, four-legged pets also have dreams.

Before buying a pet, it is recommended to study the reviews about the breed that you plan to have.

If we summarize the owner’s reviews of dogs of all kinds, the owners are rarely disappointed in their choice if it was initially conscious. Only those people who were unable to sensibly assess their strength before buying and who could not cope with raising a pet usually encounter content difficulties.

Air Force documentary about dogs see below.