Portal:Dogs

Culture · Geography · Health · History · Mathematics · Nature · Philosophy · Religion · Society · Technology

edit

The Dogs Portal

The domestic dog is a mammalin the caninefamily of the Order Carnivora. Dogs were first domesticatedfrom wolvesat about 2000 years B.C. In 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 sportsprovide 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...

Show new selections edit

Selected article

A police dog is a dog that is trained specifically to assist police and similar law-enforcement personnel with their work. They are also known in the United States as police K9s (a play on words; a homophone for canine).

The term is sometimes used in the common parlance of several countries to refer to any German Shepherd Dog because of the long history of the use of the German Shepherd by the police and military; in some nations German Shepherds are the only dogs used by those forces. Almost all dog breeds that are trained for police work originate from Germanic and Romance countries.

In recognition of the valuable role these animals play in police duties and the dangers they face, there have been a number of measures to ensure their protection. These include outfitting dogs with bulletproof vests to protect them from guns and some areas have passed laws that make attacking a police dog a felony.

...Archive/Nominations

Selected picture

Credit: Elf

A yellow Labrador Retriever correctly negotiating weave poles at a dog agility competition. Similar to a slalom, weave poles are a series of upright poles, each about 3 feet (1 m) tall and spaced about 20 inches (50 cm) apart, through which the dog weaves. It is one of the most difficult obstacles for a dog to master. It varies from 5 to 12 poles at one time. The dog must always enter with the first pole to his left and must not skip poles.

...Archive/Nominations Gallery

Types of Dogs

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.

Guard dogs: Dogs used to protect people or property.
Sled dogs: Dogs whose job is primarily pulling sleds.
Main article - Category

Companion dogs: Dogs whos primary function is as a companion and friend. Many toy breeds.

More groups

Dog breeds also can be grouped into similar types such as molossers, spitz types, pit bulls, or Lurchers.

edit

Related portals

Science Biology Cats

edit

Selected breed

The Black Russian Terrier (or simply BRT) was developed in the former Soviet Union (in what is now Russia), and was originally used as a guard dog and police dog. It is rare outside its native country and is just starting to be recognized elsewhere; for example, it is one of the AKC's most-recently recognized breeds, gaining full status in July of 2004. BRTs are confident, calm, highly intelligent, brave and loyal. It will not hesitate to defend the people that it loves if it thinks they are threatened. The BRT may seem aloof, but needs human companionship and bonds deeply to its family. ...Archive/Nomination

Did you know...

...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 Adolf Hitler owned a German Shepherd named Blondi, and was so fond of her that he allowed her to sleep in his bedroom?
...that the most common breeds for use as guide dogs are Labrador and Golden Retrievers?
...that Ashley Whippet became the first disc dog on August 4, 1974?
...that Marie Antoinette supposedly walked to the guillotine with her pet Papillon under her arm? ...Archive/Nominations
Read more...