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The domestic dog is a mammal in the canine family of the Order Carnivora. Based on genetic evidence, dogs began from a single domestication of a now-extinct wolf-like canid in Western Europe 27 to 40 thousand years ago. Since this time, the dog has developed into hundreds of breeds with a great degree of variation in height and weight, coat color and texture, anatomical details and behavior. Dogs fill a variety of roles in human society and are often trained as working dogs. For dogs that do not have traditional jobs, a wide range of dog sports provide the opportunity to exhibit their natural skills. In many countries the most common, and perhaps most important, role of dogs is as companions. Dogs have lived with and worked with humans in so many roles that their loyalty has earned them the sobriquet "man's best friend." More about the domestic dog... A dog breed is a group of dogs that have very similar or nearly identical characteristics of appearance or behavior or, usually, both, primarily because they come from a select set of ancestors who had the same characteristics. Dogs have been selectively bred for specific characteristics for thousands of years. Initially the selections would have centered on domestication and useful behavior such as hunting ability. Later, dogs were also selected for attractive and distinctive forms, resulting in a vast variety of types. Many traditional dog breeds recognized by the main breed registries are said to be "purebred". Only individuals whose parentage consists only of other purebred examples of the breed are regarded as part of that breed. This concept has caused controversy both because of the difficulty of regulation and because of the possible genetic consequences of a limited population (inbreeding). Recent work has been done to genetically classify the various breeds, with some surprising results regarding the estimated age and interrelations of the breeds. A yellow Labrador Retriever fetching a stick from a beach. Retrievers, such as this Labrador Retriever, are a type of gun dog bred to retrieve downed birds from water or land. Although spaniels and some pointing breeds routinely retrieve game, retrievers are skilled in finding game, and are distinguished in that non-slip retrieval is their primary function. As a result, retriever breeds are bred for "soft" mouths and a great willingness to please, learn, and obey. A soft mouth refers to the willingness of the dog to carry game without damaging it. Retrievers are often selected as family pets, and many suburban dogs end up retrieving newspapers and sticks like this dog. Working dogs Working dogs are those who perform jobs for people, as distinguished from companion dogs. Working dogs are of many types. Main article - Category Hunting dogs Any dog or breed who assists humans in hunting. There are several categories of hunting dogs. Main article Hounds, including Sighthounds and Scent hounds Gundogs, including Pointers, Retrievers, and Spaniels Feists Terrier Curs Pastoral dogs Any dog or breed who assists humans with livestock. Livestock guardian dogs, Herding dogs Sheepdogs Guard dogs Dogs used to protect people or property. Sled dogs Dogs whose job is primarily pulling sleds. Main article - Category Companion dogs  Dogs whose primary function is as a companion and friend. Many toy breeds. More groups Bulldogs Extinct dog breeds Fighting dogs Toy Dog breeds also can be grouped into similar types such as molossers, spitz types, pit bulls, or lurchers. Wikipedia Books: Dog Science Biology Cats German Shepherd Dog The German Shepherd Dog or Alsatian is a breed of dog. GSDs are highly intelligent, agile and well suited to active working environments. They are often deployed in varied roles such as police work, guarding, search and rescue, and in the military. They are also used as assistance dogs, especially in Europe. GSDs also make loyal and loving pets for home. They excel at schutzhund and obedience competitions. Template:/box-header ...that the stray dogs Bummer and Lazarus (pictured) were so popular with the people of San Francisco in the 1860s that they were given special exemption from the leash laws? ...that Manuel Benito de Castro assumed the Presidency of Cundinamarca, with the condition that he would be allowed to leave Congress at a certain time to feed his dog? ...that the namesake for Hondo Dog Park in Hillsboro, Oregon, won an award for valor just weeks before being killed in the line of duty? ...that most of the dogs seen in the 2007 Thai film, Ma-Mha, were strays rescued from shelters and trained specifically for the film? ...that the original Rin Tin Tin was named for a puppet called Rintintin that French children gave to the American soldiers for good luck? ...that the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Alaska covers about 1,100 miles (1,760 km)? ...that the dog to win the first three Westminster Kennel Club Dog Shows was a Smooth Fox Terrier named Warren Remedy? ...that the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (World Canine Organization) was founded in 1911 and has 80 member countries? List of dog breeds List of dog types List of dog breeds by country List of most popular dog breeds List of dog diseases List of famous dogs List of fictional dogs List of dog sports List of United States Presidential pets List of Guard Dog Breeds ▼ Dogs ► Dog breeding ► Dog breeds ► Dog equipment ► Fictional dogs ► Dog food brands ► Dog health ► Individual dogs ► Dog monuments ► Mythological dogs ► Dog organizations ► Dogs as pets ► Dogs in popular culture ► Dog-related professions and professionals ► Robotic dogs ► Dog shows and showing ► Dog sports ► Dog training and behavior ► Dog types ► Dog stubs WikiProject Dogs Here are some tasks awaiting attention: Article requests : Australian Shepherd Club of America, Cogan's cystic dystrophy, Coonhound event, Homeward Bound: TV series, Poitevin (dog). More... Cleanup : Alaskan Malamute, Cane Corso, Caucasian Ovcharka, Central Asia Shepherd Dog, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Dalmatian (dog), Sage Koochee, Schutzhund, Tibetan Mastiff Copyedit : White Schnauzer Merge : German Coolies Stubs : Brazilian Terrier, Dachshund racing, The Dog Whisperer, Dog trainer, Field trial, Gait (dog), Hound, Icelandic Sheepdog, Kangaroo Dog, Novelty show, Obedience school, Porcelaine, Rug (animal covering), Setter, Take Your Dog to Work Day, Tracking (dog), Tracking trial, Water dog, Weight pulling, 287 stubs, pick one... Verify : Akita Inu, Bakharwal Dog, Bedlington Terrier, Belgian Shepherd Dog, Bisben, Celtic Hounds, Chinese Crested Dog, Combai, Drentsche Patrijshond, Field Spaniel, Hungarian Vizsla, Japanese Spitz, Kintamani (dog), Korea Jindo Dog, Olde English Bulldogge, Peruvian Hairless Dog, More... Wikify : American Akita, Austrian black and tan hound, Berger Blanc Suisse, Damchi, French Brittany (dog) Other : Tag and assess "dog" articles with {{WikiProject Dogs}} banner. See also Dog breeds WikiProject to do list. What are portals? List of portals Featured portals