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What is a dog?
What are dogs known for?
Purebred versus non-purebred
How much does a dog weigh?
How long do dogs live?
What can a dog eat?
How many dog breeds are there?
What are the most popular dog breeds?
What are alternative names for dog?
What is the purest dog breed?
Where can I get a dog?
Dog FAQ
Dogs, doggos, woofers.
Call them what you like, they are dangerously close to the core of so many individual’s lives.
Affectionately dubbed as a man’s best friend, today dogs and puppies alike continue wedging themselves right into the most loving families.
They comfort the elderly, assist the handicapped, and guard loved ones.
They get people outside, they encourage healthy living, and they give good reason to grin from ear to ear.
Across the United States, dogs have become a common presence in countless families.
While some dogs serve as steady companions, others specialize in dog training and competitions, and still others are proving themselves as the absolute best service animals.
Many breeds have deviated from what they were first created to do.
For example, working breeds are less likely to land on a sprawling ranch. Hunting breeds are no longer consistently used for hunting and sheepherding? That’s becoming less and less common for dogs too.
Instead, dogs are showing up over and over again as the absolute best companion animals.
They don’t judge.
They don’t talk back.
And they are loyal, extremely loyal.
Is it any wonder that as times change, dogs remain a constant in families across the nation?
That’s why in today’s post, we are going to take a deep dive into looking at what a dog truly is. We’ll look at why dogs keep showing up again and again and again for people.
You’ll learn what to feed a dog, where you can get your own charming dog, which breeds are most popular today, and so much more.
I’m glad you’re here. Let’s get started.
What is a Dog?
Starting with what is perhaps the obvious, simply stated, a dog is a domesticated mammal.
They were first bred from wolves only a few centuries B.C. and are commonly referred to as canines, stemming from the Latin word for canis.
Dogs are commonly referred to as a puppy until they are approximately one year old.
Once their first birthday rolls around, they embrace names like dog, doggo, canine, tyke, and pooch.
Dogs are champions in using their senses of both smelling and hearing. They track with their nose and are quick to detect when things are amiss.
Their eyesight is a different story, however. Thanks to the anatomy of their eye, they are partially colorblind. Although in dim lighting, they are still able to see better than humans.
So if you’re enjoying either a sunrise or sunset together with your pal, it’s likely he/she is enjoying better vision than you.
In addition, dogs enjoy a wider field of vision than what you and I will ever encounter.
All dogs, regardless of the breed, fall into one of two categories when analyzing their coat.
A dog will either have a double coat, in which they carry soft down hair close to their skin, protected by an outer coat of coarse guard hair.
(As you might expect, double coats are common for dogs who originated in cold climates.)
Or they will be donned in a second coat type: that of a single, topcoat only.
Regardless of the breed, dogs prefer to travel in packs.
Each pack is ordered by rank.
Dogs are experts at falling in line and respecting anyone considered part of a higher rank.
Fortunately, you can be your own dog’s pack leader.
With careful and consistent training, your dog will quickly discern who is actually in charge.
You don’t need four legs and a coat of fur to become your dog’s ultimate alpha.
What are Dogs Known For?
To their credit, dogs have proven themselves over and over again to be extremely compatible with humans.
They are favorite pets who are consistently playful, loyal, and friendly.
In addition, for families with children, dogs are excellent in teaching children regular discipline as well as simply being a favorite playmate.
Beyond living as pets, dogs have also proven themselves as champions in arenas including police work, hunting, herding, and rescue.
Today dogs are successfully filling roles including positions as army dogs, assistance dogs, fire dogs, and guide dogs.
They are excellent for cheering the elderly, assisting in therapy, and serving an extremely diverse audience.
Perhaps our favorite of all, dogs are known for adding joy into people’s lives.
Whether it’s a casual wave or a friendly lick after you get home from work, over and over again dogs keep both showing up and making people feel better about life and the world around them.
Purebred Versus Non-purebred
What’s the difference?
A purebred dog is any dog who has parents of the same breed.
For example, a dog whose mother and father are both German Shepherd is then considered a purebred German Shepherd.
Purebred dogs can also be referred to as pure pedigree dogs.
Non-purebred dogs, on the other hand, are any breed with parents from two different breeds.
For example, a Goldendoodle will have a Golden Retriever as one parent, and a Poodle as the other parent.
As a result, Goldendoodles are considered a non-purebred dog.
Non-purebred dogs are also referred to as mixed-breeds, hybrids, mutts, and designer breeds.
In addition, the price tag for a designer, or non-purebred, dog is typically slightly higher than that of a purebred dog.
How Much Does a Dog Weigh
Dog’s range in wait anywhere from just a few pounds to a whopping 100 pounds plus. To better understand a dog’s weight, dogs are categorized into one of four sizes.
Small Dogs
Small dogs are the smallest of the small. They include any full-grown dog who is less than twenty-two pounds.
They’ll never stand more than 16″ at the shoulder, and they include breeds such as the Bichon Frise, Cavapoo, Cockapoo, and Yorkshire Terrier.
Medium Dogs
Next are medium dogs. These beauties range from 22 – 60 pounds and are frequently between 18 – 22″ at the shoulder.
Among the medium dogs, you will encounter Bulldogs and Shetland Sheepdogs, to name a few.
Large Dogs
Sizing up a notch is the large dog-breed family. This category includes breeds like the Golden Retriever, Collie, and Rottweiler.
Large dogs range between 50 – 100 pounds in weight, and stand between 23 – 28″ tall at their shoulder.
Giant Dogs
Meet the biggest of the big. Giant dogs consistently weigh 100 pounds or more and will always be standing 24″ tall or taller at the shoulder.
These big guys include both the Great Dane and the Great Pyrenees.
How Long do Dogs Live?
On average, a dog will live anywhere from ten to thirteen years. However, this is only an average.
Typically smaller dogs live longer lives, while larger dogs enjoy fewer years.
For example, the Great Swiss Mountain dog lives an average of only eight years.
The little Chihuahua, on the other hand, is among dogs who live the very longest. These little gems may enjoy as many as fifteen to twenty years of quality canine life.
Following is a chart demonstrating the average lifespan for different dog breed sizes:
By GeneParmesan66 – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, Link
What Can a Dog Eat
Dogs do well on diets that include meat, vegetables, and grains.
Like humans, what goes into a dog directly impacts how that dog will feel and respond in life.
As a result, look for a high-quality dog food that offers nutritious and wholesome ingredients.
We recommend starting with this all stage dog food.
Not only does it include Omega 3’s and 6’s to promote a healthy skin and coat, but it also provides both vitamin C and D to encourage overall health.
How Many Dog Breeds are There?
The answer to this depends on who you ask.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is the largest national registry in the United States and includes purebred dogs only.
Currently, they list a total of 193 dog breeds.
Another dog registry, The Kennel Club, lists at least 211 dog breeds.
While the Federation Cynologique Internationale (translated: World Canine Organization) based in Belgium, acknowledges a total of 344 dog breeds.
What are the Most Popular Dog Breeds?
The Labrador Retriever has been a steady first pick for years.
After that, dogs among the top ten most popular breeds include German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, French Bulldogs, Beagles, Poodles, and the Yorkshire Terrier.
What are Alternative Names for Dog?
Not everyone refers to their dog as just that, a dog.
Other common names for a dog include:
- doggo
- canine
- hound
- tyke
- pooch
- pup
- puppy
So if you’re looking to mix up your doggy vocab, try a name from this list.
What is the Purest Dog Breed?
While one can’t be certain on which breed actually originated first, history does give us clues at which breeds may have been among the earliest domesticated breeds.
One of these is the Samoyed breed, a stunning dog with thick white fur.
Other breeds that have also been around for literally thousands of years (dating B.C.) and are among the purest dog breeds include the Afghan Hound and the Saluki.
The Basenji, originating in the Congo, is another dashing ancient purebred, along with the Lhasa Apso, a breed stemming from north of India.
Where Can I Get a Dog?
If you are looking for your very own dog, there are multiple ways you might find your perfect puppy match.
So whether you are searching for puppies for sale in Ohio, California, or Texas, your new dog may be just a phone call or few clicks away.
For one, you could search in your newspaper or local ads around town.
Alternatively, you can search online from quality breeders across the United States.
Click here to view our current selection of dogs and puppies for sale and have fun finding a dog that is just right for you.
FAQ
What dog breed is the fastest?
Greyhounds are the absolute fastest dog breed in the world. They can reach speeds of 44 mph and are the epitome of graceful speed and stunning performance all in one.
What is the shortest dog breed?
The Chihuahua is the smallest adult dog in the world. These little pals are anywhere from three to six pounds, yet have no problem sporting big and friendly personalities.
What is the tallest dog breed?
The Irish Wolfhound is typically the tallest dog in the world, standing anywhere between 28-35″ tall. However, a Great Dane named Gibson holds the current tallest record at 42″ tall.
What makes a dog a purebred?
A dog is considered purebred when both parent dogs are of the same breed. For example, a dog whose parent dogs are both Poodle is considered a purebred Poodle.
What is the purest dog breed?
The Samoyed dog breed is among the purest dog breeds in the world. Dating B.C., the Samoyed is a stunning, white-coated dog who as seen literal centuries go by.
What is the average age for a dog to die?
The average lifespan for all dog breeds ranges from ten to thirteen years in age. Smaller dogs, however, typically live longer lives, while larger dogs live shorter lives.
Wrapping It Up
It’s no wonder that dogs are considered a man’s best friend.
They serve in a wide variety of roles including pets, police dogs, therapy dogs, and guide dogs.
Not to mention, dogs are fun, loyal, and naturally friendly.
There are purebred and designer breeds, so you can find your perfect match.
There are small and not-so-small, from tiny teacups to towering giants.
Not to mention, the sheer benefits of doing life alongside a dog are astounding. (Literally! Click here for seven mind-blowing ways that dogs are actually changing lives for the better.)
So go ahead and squeeze your dog a little tighter today. Smile a little bigger, and thank God for the variety in dogs.
Oh, and before you go, we’d love to hear in the comments below: what’s something you really love about your dog?
As always, we’re glad you are here. Thanks for being a part of this dog-loving community.
We care about you. We’re grateful for this time we get together.
Cheers to tighter squeezes and more memories together with your doggo today!
VIP Puppies
References
AKC Facts and Stats (n.d.). American Kennel Club. Retrieved from https://www.akc.org/press-center/facts-and-stats/breeds-year-recognized/.
Aradhya (2019). What Are The Top 10 Tallest Dog Breeds? Retrieved from https://pethelpful.com/dogs/Top-10-Tallest-Dogs.
Dog (n.d.). Simple English Wikipedia. Retrieved from https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog.
Dog (n.d.). Wikipedia. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog.
How Many Dog Breeds Are There? (n.d.). Breeding Business. Retrieved from https://breedingbusiness.com/how-many-dog-breeds-are-there/
Johnstone (2019). The Best Dog Breeds With Long Lifespans. Retrieved from https://www.thesprucepets.com/longest-living-dog-breeds-4693681.
Lengacher (n.d.). VIP Puppies. Retrieved from http://vippuppies.com/shop/puppies-for-sale/small-dog-breed/.
Picard (2019). The 10 most popular dog breeds in the country. Retrieved from https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/pets/news/g3291/best-dog-breeds/.
Telha (n.d.). These Are The 14 Purest Dog Breeds In The World. Retrieved from http://ohl.co/purest-dog-breeds-in-the-world/.
Top 10 Dog Breeds With the Shortest Lifespan (n.d.). DogTime. Retrieved from https://dogtime.com/dog-health/general/20557-top-10-dog-breeds-with-the-shortest-lifespan.
Wallace (2018). All About Dogs: 101 Fun Facts. Retrieved from https://www.care.com/c/stories/6094/101-facts-about-dogs-you-might-not-know/.
As the Editor in Chief, Anna Lengacher helps dog lovers learn the ropes of finding, raising, and caring for their dogs so they can enjoy many happy memories together.
