Changes
Dog
,/* Etymology */Spelling, grammar, and general cleanup, typos fixed: slightly- → slightly
{{Taxonomy|name=Dog|image = Second dog with a bone.jpg|caption=|domain=Eukaryota|kingdom = Animalia|subkingdom=Bilateria|branch=Deuterostomia |superphylum=|phylum = Chordata|subphylum = Vertebrata|infraphylum=Gnathostomata|microphylum=|superdivision=|division=|subdivision=|superclass=Tetrapoda |class = Mammalia|subclass=Theriiformes|infraclass=Holotheria|superorder=Preptotheria|order = Carnivora|suborder = Caniformia |infraorder=Cynoidea |superfamily=|families=|family = Canidae|subfamily=Caninae |supertribe=|tribe= |subtribe=|genera=|genus = Canis|subgenus=|species = C. lupus|binomialname=|syn=|sub = C. l. familiaris |alt=|regionimg=|pop=525 million (Domesticated dog2012 est.)|conservation=}}
The dog (''Canis lupus familiaris'Dogs''' are one ) is a mammal of the most well-known domesticated [[species]]family Canidae, order Carnivora, with archaeological and historical records showing that they the principal animal companion to mankind. With domestication many breeds have lived been created, from small to very-large, bearing coats of hair either short or long, shaggy or soft, smooth or curly, in a mutually beneficial relationship with humans for thousands colors either solid or mixed from white to brown to black. In addition, breeds have been specifically created to hunt game, act as guards, shepherd flocks of yearslivestock, hunt for missing persons, or act as service animals in preventing anxiety, aiding in seizures, or as guides for the blind.
== Scientific details ==
[[File:Golden retreiver with a ball.jpg|thumbnail|center|200px|Golden Retriever]]
Dogs (scientific name ''Canis lupus familiaris'') are a subspecies of [[wolf|wolves]], divided into a multitude of different breeds all in principle capable of interbreeding (though in some cases, physical relations between representatives of two breeds are unlikely or problematic - Chihuahuas and Great Danes, for example).
<ref>Vila, Carles; Carles Vila, Peter Savolainen, Jesus E. Maldonado, Isabel R. Amorim, John E. Rice, Rodney L. Honeycutt, Keith A. Crandall, Joakim Lundeberg, Wayne, Robert F. (1997-01-30; accepted 1997-04-14). [http://www.mnh.si.edu/GeneticsLab/StaffPage/MaldonadoJ/PublicationsCV/Science_Dog_Paper.pdf Multiple and ancient origins of the domestic dog], ''Science'' 276: 1687-1689. Retrieved on 2006-12-09.</ref>
Secular archeology has placed the earliest known domestication at potentially 12,000 BC-10,000 BC and with certainty at 7,000 BC.<ref>Scott, John Paul (1965), Dog behavior: The genetic basis, University of Chicago Press. ISBN 0-226-74338-1.</ref>
[[File:Chow chow.jpg|thumbnail|right|200px|Chow Chow]]
Dogs are also viewed as being the single most genetically diverse species on Earth - largely thanks to human-imposed selective breeding, the vast array of dog breeds surpasses any other creature on the planet. Due to selective breeding by man, however, many breeds of dog have significant [[gene]]tic disorders. These include hip dysplasia (particularly common in German Shepherds, although common in most big breeds), and respiratory problems caused by shortening of the face, as seen with Boxer dogs and the Bulldog's lip and Pugs smashed faces with wrinkles that collect dirt that must be washed out regularly or may become infected. To overcome the prevalence of genetic disorders rendered common by inbreeding, many breeders regularly practice outcrossing, or introducing new material into a breed line via mating with other kinds of dog. This restores vigor to a breed and can decrease the likelihood of genetic disorders manifesting.
== Bites ==
Despite being colloquially known as "man's best friend", every 40 seconds, someone in the [[United States of America|United States]] seeks medical help for a dog bite, with approximately 800,000 such bites per year requiring medical attention.<ref>http://www.dogbitelaw.com/PAGES/statistics.html</ref>
Due to the high cost of dog bite liability claims, some [[insurance]] companies have blacklisted certain breeds and refuse to provide homeowners insurance to those who own these dog breeds.<ref>http://www.dogbitelegalcenter.com/resources/common-dogs.html</ref> American Pit Bull Terriers are commonly thought of as one such dog, as they account for a small percent of the population, but over half of fatal attacks, although the majority of them are sweet and gentle, but all have powerful jaw muscles (they were bred for the cruel sport of dog fighting). Rottweilers are also strong and considered dangerous due to a disproportionately high number of attacks, but can also (like most dogs with nice responsible owners) be nice and friendly.
Today most dogs in western countries are kept for [[pet|companionship]] only. Stray and feral dogs cause many problems, spreading diseases such as [[rabies]], and attacking people and [[livestock]]. Muslims see dogs as unclean, and often kill dogs found as pets.<ref>http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2065873,00.html</ref>
[[File:Dog named Montana.jpg|thumbnail|center|300px|A Jack Russell/Fox Terrier cross]]
{{Clear}}
== Religion/irreligion and views/treatment dogs ==
*[[Atheists and dog meat eating]]
*[[USA states: Religion/irreligion and percentage of dog owners]]
*[[Judaism and dogs]]
==Further reading==
