The term domestic dog refers to any of several hundred breeds of dog in the world today. While these animals vary drastically in appearance every dog from the Chihuahua to the Great Dane is a member of the same species, Canis familiaris. This separates domestic dogs from wild canines, such as coyotes, foxes, and wolves.Domestic dogs are mostly kept as pets, though many breeds are capable of surviving on their own, whether its in a forest or on city streets. A third of all households worldwide have a dog, according to a 2016 consumer insights study. This makes the domestic dog the most popular pet on the planet.All dogs descend from a species of wolf, but not the gray wolf (Canis lupus), like many people assume. In fact, DNA evidence suggests that the now-extinct wolf ancestor to modern dogs was Eurasian. However, scientists are still working to understand exactly what species gave rise to dogs.When dogs broke off from their wild ancestors is also a matter of mystery, but genetics suggest that it occurred between 15,000 and 30,000 years ago. While its impossible to say exactly how a wild wolf species became a domesticated dog, most scientists believe the process happened gradually as wolves became more comfortable with humans. Perhaps wolves started down this path simply by eating human scraps. Many generations later, humans might have encouraged wolves to stay near by actively feeding them. Later still, those wolves may have been welcomed into the human home and eventually bred to encourage certain traits. All of this is thought to have unfolded over thousands of years.
Needs for a dog:Your dog is reliant on you to provide them with food, water, a safe place to sleep, exercise and veterinary care both for check-ups and in an emergency. Being able to provide for your dogs biological needs is the first step in building a bond with them. You will provide them with food every day, they will always have fresh water, they will have their own space to enjoy undisturbed sleep, they will be taken out for exercise and they will have the medical attention they need. In doing all of these things, they will feel safe enough to begin to trust you. they need social needs that include bonding (playing with other dogs).
