Dogs
Habitat
Dogs of all different kinds live in the wild and in domesticity. They live in domesticity as domestic household pets, and in the wild as wolves and coyotes and such. In domestication, dogs make great pets. They are said to be "man's best friend", and that is oh-so-true. They make absolutely wonderful companions and are very active. There's a different breed of dog for every different type of person. They will love you forever, and I have a feeling that once you get one you'll love it forever too. Wild dogs are a bit more dangerous. They live out in the wild, in fields and such, and hunt small animals and rodents to stay alive. They may even eat small domestic dogs if they can get their hands on them. They can also be very protective, weary, vicious, and even carry bad animal diseases such as heart worms or rabies. Be sure to be careful when you encounter a wild dog.
Diet
Domestic dogs don't eat a very big range of foods. It's basically inclined to what's healthy for them; they can have dry food, wet food, bones (not real ones), and treats. Even though some are still overweight, these foods are all meant to keep the dogs fit, giving them everything they need to grow strong and healthy. However, wild dogs eat a range of small animals including rabbits, hares, squirrels, prairie dogs, chipmunks, baby deer, small birds, mice, and sooooo much more. Wild dogs also have to hunt for their food, they don't just get it easy like household dogs.
Description
Dogs, from domestic to wild, usually have some of the same characteristics. Big black noses, wagging tails, ears that either flop or stand up straight, four legs, and paws. Oh, and don't forget those sharp teeth of theirs!!! They are all covered in some sort of fur/hair, and they come in a huge variety of shapes, sizes, colors, and looks. These are called their breed. There are over 100 different breeds of dog! But those are just the domestic dogs. The wild dog breeds are wolves, coyotes, dingos, African wild dogs, cape hunting dogs, and so many more. They are lean with long bellies, and average sized legs that are meant for running-and fast. They also have large heads that usually have long snouts sticking out from the bottom-center part, which provides a mouth and their nose. Then they have either big, floppy ears or long straight ears, usually with a rounded point at the top. Then, by their behind, they have a tail. Tails can be long, short, curled, straight, or even just a little nub that moves. Dogs come in every which way, which is why it's so hard to choose one when your getting a pet dog!
Breeds
Dogs come in a TON of breeds and colors. Instead of listing all of those breeds (we would run out of room!), we're just going to give you a link to where you can view ALL those breeds. There are so many, so have fun looking! :D
Link:
http://www.mytopdogs.com/dogbreeds.shtml
Link:
http://www.mytopdogs.com/dogbreeds.shtml
Fun Facts
- You want to know why dogs pant? It's because they are trying to cool themselves down! They don't sweat everywhere, like humans, since they are covered in fur/hair. They sweat through pads on the bottom of their paws. Cool, huh?
- Dogs have twice as many muscles used for moving their ears than humans do!
- When firstborn, puppies are deaf, blind, and have a very poor sense of smell. They only huddle near their mother and/or siblings for warmth.
- A dog's shoulder blades aren't attached to the rest of the skeleton so that they can run faster and more easily.
- The shape of a dog's face suggests how long it will live. Dogs with sharp, pointed faces that look something like wolves tend to live longer, and dog's with flat faces usually have shorter lives.