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The History of Dogs

The History of dogs

Dogs belong to the Canid family (Canidae).

Dogs first appeared about 40 million years ago, before any other carnivore families like bears or cats.

Carnivores have a pair of teeth similar to blades that are called carnassials. These teeth are like scissors and can slice through skin and muscle.

Thirty five living species are included in the Canid family tree. There are three main groups.

1. South American foxes
2. Wolves, including jackals, wolves, coyotes, and dogs
3. Foxes including the red fox and his relatives.
The dog that we commonly know is the closest kin to the gray wolf.

There is genetic evidence and fossils that confirm that all dogs are the direct descendants of wolves. Skeletons of the earliest dogs and their wolf cousins are very hard to find differences.

There are around 400 domestic breeds of dogs and they all belong to the same species, Canis familiaris.

A group that can successfully reproduce with one another is known as a species. A sub-group of the species is a breed. This has been made by human interaction. All individuals in a breed can reproduce with each other, but the features of the breed can be altered or lost when one breed is crossed with another.

Fossil records show there are three main groups of dogs and they have been around for many years. Some have become extinct.

Group one came from North America around 40 million years ago. These dogs looked like a mix of a weasel and a fox from fossil evidence. They became extinct around 15 million years ago. They were called Hesperocyon, which means western dog.

Group two were larger and looked similar to hyenas with big jaw muscles and strong teeth. They began around 34 million years ago and became extinct around 2.5 million years ago. They were called borophagines.

Group three called the canines includes the dogs we know today. This group is first seen in fossils from North America around 7 million years ago.

Dogs belong to the Canid family (Canidae).

Dogs first appeared about 40 million years ago, before any other carnivore families like bears or cats.

Carnivores have a pair of teeth similar to blades that are called carnassials. These teeth are like scissors and can slice through skin and muscle.

Thirty five living species are included in the Canid family tree. There are three main groups.

1. South American foxes
2. Wolves, including jackals, wolves, coyotes, and dogs
3. Foxes including the red fox and his relatives.
The dog that we commonly know is the closest kin to the gray wolf.

There is genetic evidence and fossils that confirm that all dogs are the direct descendants of wolves. Skeletons of the earliest dogs and their wolf cousins are very hard to find differences.

There are around 400 domestic breeds of dogs and they all belong to the same species, Canis familiaris.

A group that can successfully reproduce with one another is known as a species. A sub-group of the species is a breed. This has been made by human interaction. All individuals in a breed can reproduce with each other, but the features of the breed can be altered or lost when one breed is crossed with another.

Fossil records show there are three main groups of dogs and they have been around for many years. Some have become extinct.

Group one came from North America around 40 million years ago. These dogs looked like a mix of a weasel and a fox from fossil evidence. They became extinct around 15 million years ago. They were called Hesperocyon, which means western dog.

Group two were larger and looked similar to hyenas with big jaw muscles and strong teeth. They began around 34 million years ago and became extinct around 2.5 million years ago. They were called borophagines.

Group three called the canines includes the dogs we know today. This group is first seen in fossils from North America around 7 million years ago.

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Dandie Dinmont Terrier - Dog Breed Profile

Key Facts:
Size: Small
Height: 20 - 28 cm (8 - 11 inches)
Weight: About 8 kg (18 lb)
Life Span: 15 years
Grooming: Medium
Exercise: Reasonable
Feeding: Small
Temperament: Affectionate & independent
Country of Origin: Scotland
AKC Group: Terrier

Temperament:
The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is determined, courageous, intelligent and independent. Dandie Dinmonts demand attention and are very affectionate with their family. They are good with children, strangers and usually leave other dogs alone. Dandie Dinmont Terriers are very sociable yet calm dogs and show utter devotion to their owner.

Grooming:
Dandie Dinmont Terriers need regular brushing and the coat will need professional stripping (plucking out the dead hairs) once or twice per year. The owner can learn to do the stripping themselves if they don't want the extra expense of professional grooming.

Exercise:
These dogs look as though they wouldn't do anything in a hurry, but they can be quickly aroused if they spot anything they can chase. Dandie Dinmonts tend to adapt themselves to the family activities for their exercise needs.

Feeding:
Dandie Dinmont Terriers are not big eaters and only need small sized meals.

History:
The origins of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier is somewhat obscure, but it is believed that they are the result of cross-breeding between the small, rough coated terriers and the Otter Hounds. In 1700 a distinctive type of terrier was found in the Cheviot Hills on the English/Scottish border. It wasn't until 1814 that they rose in popularity with the publication of Sir Walter Scott's novel Guy Mannering. This book had a character named Dandie Dinmont who owned 6 of these charming little dogs. It was from this fictitious character that the breed acquired its name.

Physical Characteristics:
General Appearance: Low-slung, hardy with a soulful expression.
Color: Pepper or mustard. Pepper is dark bluish black to light silver grey. And mustard is reddish brown to pale fawn.
Coat: The outercoat is hard but not wiry. The undercoat is soft and linty.
Tail: Reasonably short, covered with stiff hair and with feathering of about 5cm.
Ears: Pendant shaped, hanging against the cheek, set low and with slight feathering.
Body: The body is long, strong and flexible. The chest comes down below the elbows and the topline curves up over the rump and then down to the low set tail.

Additional Comments:
The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is more docile than other terriers, but it does have a surprising deep and loud bark.

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This article provided courtesy of http://www.dooziedog.com/dog_breeds/dandie_dinmont_terrier/



Additional information in: Dog Breeding