Various classifications have been made of the domesticated dog that can enlighten us to their individual needs and abilities based on genetics and learned behaviors.

Learning More About Our Four-Legged Friends’ Needs and Abilities

Canis lupus familiaris (aka “man’s best friend”) is a domesticated subspecies of the Grey Wolf. Taming occurred nearly 15,000 years ago and the dog quickly became omnipresent in cultures across the globe. He was extremely valuable to early human settlements, and in fact, it is often suggested that successful emigration across the Bering Strait may not have been possible without the help of dogs that pulled sleds of people and supplies. Currently it is estimated that there are more than 400 million dogs in the world. Each breed and individual dog’s abilities however are shaped by various genetic traits and learned behaviors. Some were intentionally bred by humans, others were a result of the need to survive. Due to his wide range of traits, the dog has developed into hundreds of breeds representing more behavioral and morphological variations that any other land mammal.

One-hundred and fifty-seven breeds are recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) which have been separated into Sporting, Non-Sporting, Working, Hound, Terrier, Herding, Toy and Miscellaneous groups. However, there are other terms used to describe dogs that enlighten us to their abilities and needs. A dog can fall into several of these types, but knowing your dog’s type can better help you know your dog.