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	<title>INTERNETSTACK &#187; INTERNETSTACK Theme</title>
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		<title>Collapsible content sections</title>
		<link>https://www.internetstack.com.au/collapsible-content-sections/</link>
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		<pubDate>Sun, 15 Jun 2014 07:54:29 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[INTERNETSTACK]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[INTERNETSTACK Theme]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WordPress]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.internetstack.com.au/?p=1560</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[With the INTERNETSTACK theme, we make it easy to create collapsible content sections. Background Most WordPress themes leverage &#60;DIV&#62; elements to create collapsible content sections using accordion animations. However, with the INTERNETSTACK theme, we&#8217;ve created a more intuitive, standards compliant &#8230; <a href="https://www.internetstack.com.au/collapsible-content-sections/">More..</a>]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>With the INTERNETSTACK theme, we make it easy to create collapsible content sections.<span id="more-1560"></span></p>
<h2>Background</h2>
<p>Most WordPress themes leverage &lt;DIV&gt; elements to create collapsible content sections using accordion animations. However, with the INTERNETSTACK theme, we&#8217;ve created a more intuitive, standards compliant approach &#8211; using &lt;H4&gt; and &lt;H5&gt; elements.</p>
<ul>
<li>Use &lt;H4&gt; elements to identify a section</li>
<li>Use &lt;H5&gt; elements to identify a subsection</li>
<li>Use &lt;HR&gt; or any ancestor heading &lt;H3&gt;, &lt;H2&gt; or &lt;H1&gt; to break a section</li>
<li>All other tags will automatically collapse e.g. &lt;P&gt;, &lt;IMG&gt;, &lt;DIV&gt;  and more!</li>
<li>&lt;H6&gt; is unaffected &#8211; great when you need a non-collapsing heading within a section</li>
<li>Siblings elements behave together e.g. &lt;H4&gt;&lt;/H4&gt;&lt;H4&gt;&lt;/H4&gt;</li>
<li>Nested elements behave separately e.g. &lt;P&gt;<span style="color: #ff6600;">&lt;H4&gt;&lt;/H4&gt;</span>&lt;/P&gt;&lt;H4&gt;&lt;/H4&gt;</li>
</ul>
<h2>Example</h2>
<div style="background: #EBEBEB; padding: 15px;">
<h1 id="firstHeading" lang="en">Dog</h1>
<div id="bodyContent">
<div id="siteSub"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog" target="_blank">From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="mw-content-text" lang="en">
<div></div>
<p>The domestic <b>dog</b> (<i>Canis lupus familiaris</i><sup id="cite_ref-MSW3_Lupus_2-1"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-MSW3_Lupus-2">[2]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-ADW_3-0"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-ADW-3">[3]</a></sup>, previously <i>Canis familiaris</i>) is the 18-31,000 year old descendant of a now extinct European Wolf,<sup id="cite_ref-4"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-4">[4]</a></sup> and a member of the <a title="Canidae" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canidae">Canidae</a> family of the <a title="Mammal" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mammal">mammalian</a> order <a title="Carnivora" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnivora">Carnivora</a>.</p>
</div>
</div>
<h4>Roles with humans</h4>
<div>
<p><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Siberian_Husky_pho.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9c/Siberian_Husky_pho.jpg/220px-Siberian_Husky_pho.jpg" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9c/Siberian_Husky_pho.jpg/330px-Siberian_Husky_pho.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9c/Siberian_Husky_pho.jpg/440px-Siberian_Husky_pho.jpg 2x" width="220" height="209" data-file-width="750" data-file-height="711" /></a></p>
<div>
<div></div>
<p>A <a title="Siberian Husky" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siberian_Husky">Siberian Husky</a> used as a <a title="Pack animal" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pack_animal">pack animal</a></p>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<p><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:German_shepherd_football.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/28/German_shepherd_football.jpg/220px-German_shepherd_football.jpg" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/28/German_shepherd_football.jpg/330px-German_shepherd_football.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/28/German_shepherd_football.jpg/440px-German_shepherd_football.jpg 2x" width="220" height="161" data-file-width="1382" data-file-height="1014" /></a></p>
<div>
<div></div>
<p>A <a title="German Shepherd" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_Shepherd">German Shepherd</a> with a <a title="Football (association football)" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Football_(association_football)">football</a></p>
</div>
</div>
<h5>Early roles</h5>
<p>Wolves, and their dog descendants, would have derived significant benefits from living in human camps—more safety, more reliable food, lesser caloric needs, and more chance to breed.<sup id="cite_ref-Groves_57-0"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-Groves-57">[57]</a></sup> They would have benefited from humans&#8217; upright gait that gives them larger range over which to see potential predators and prey, as well as color vision that, at least by day, gives humans better visual discrimination.<sup id="cite_ref-Groves_57-1"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-Groves-57">[57]</a></sup> Camp dogs would also have benefitted from human tool use, as in bringing down larger prey and controlling fire for a range of purposes.<sup id="cite_ref-Groves_57-2"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-Groves-57">[57]</a></sup></p>
<p>Humans would also have derived enormous benefit from the dogs associated with their camps.<sup id="cite_ref-Tacon_58-0"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-Tacon-58">[58]</a></sup> For instance, dogs would have improved sanitation by cleaning up food scraps.<sup id="cite_ref-Tacon_58-1"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-Tacon-58">[58]</a></sup> Dogs may have provided warmth, as referred to in the Australian Aboriginal expression &#8220;three dog night&#8221; (an exceptionally cold night), and they would have alerted the camp to the presence of predators or strangers, using their acute hearing to provide an early warning.<sup id="cite_ref-Tacon_58-2"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-Tacon-58">[58]</a></sup></p>
<p>Anthropologists believe the most significant benefit would have been the use of dogs&#8217; sensitive sense of smell to assist with the hunt.<sup id="cite_ref-Tacon_58-3"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-Tacon-58">[58]</a></sup> The relationship between the presence of a dog and success in the hunt is often mentioned as a primary reason for the domestication of the wolf, and a 2004 study of hunter groups with and without a dog gives quantitative support to the hypothesis that the benefits of cooperative hunting was an important factor in wolf domestication.<sup id="cite_ref-Ruusila_59-0"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-Ruusila-59">[59]</a></sup></p>
<p>The cohabitation of dogs and humans would have greatly improved the chances of survival for early human groups, and the domestication of dogs may have been one of the key forces that led to human success.<sup id="cite_ref-Newby_60-0"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-Newby-60">[60]</a></sup></p>
<h5>As pets</h5>
<div>
<p><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Family_pet.jpg"><img alt="Couple sitting on the lawn with a pet British Bulldog" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8e/Family_pet.jpg/220px-Family_pet.jpg" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8e/Family_pet.jpg/330px-Family_pet.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8e/Family_pet.jpg/440px-Family_pet.jpg 2x" width="220" height="203" data-file-width="1059" data-file-height="975" /></a></p>
<div>
<div></div>
<p>A <a title="Bulldog" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bulldog">British Bulldog</a> shares a day at the park.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<p><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Male_Border_Terrier.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/ec/Male_Border_Terrier.jpg/220px-Male_Border_Terrier.jpg" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/ec/Male_Border_Terrier.jpg/330px-Male_Border_Terrier.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/ec/Male_Border_Terrier.jpg/440px-Male_Border_Terrier.jpg 2x" width="220" height="165" data-file-width="640" data-file-height="480" /></a></p>
<div>
<div></div>
<p>A young male border terrier with a raccoon toy.</p>
</div>
</div>
<p>&#8220;The most widespread form of interspecies bonding occurs between humans and dogs&#8221;<sup id="cite_ref-Tacon_58-4"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-Tacon-58">[58]</a></sup> and the keeping of dogs as companions, particularly by elites, has a long history.<sup id="cite_ref-Derr_61-0"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-Derr-61">[61]</a></sup> (As a possible example, at the <a title="Natufian culture" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natufian_culture">Natufian culture</a> site of <a title="Ain Mallaha" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ain_Mallaha">Ain Mallaha</a> in <a title="Israel" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel">Israel</a>, dated to 12,000 BC, the remains of an elderly human and a four-to-five-month-old puppy were found buried together).<sup id="cite_ref-Clutton-Brock1995_62-0"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-Clutton-Brock1995-62">[62]</a></sup> However, pet dog populations grew significantly after World War II as suburbanization increased.<sup id="cite_ref-Derr_61-1"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-Derr-61">[61]</a></sup> In the 1950s and 1960s, dogs were kept outside more often than they tend to be today<sup id="cite_ref-Franklin_63-0"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-Franklin-63">[63]</a></sup> (using the expression &#8220;in the doghouse&#8221; to describe exclusion from the group signifies the distance between the doghouse and the home) and were still primarily functional, acting as a guard, children&#8217;s playmate, or walking companion. From the 1980s, there have been changes in the role of the pet dog, such as the increased role of dogs in the emotional support of their human guardians.<sup id="cite_ref-Katz_64-0"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-Katz-64">[64]</a></sup> People and dogs have become increasingly integrated and implicated in each other&#8217;s lives,<sup id="cite_ref-Haraway_65-0"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-Haraway-65">[65]</a></sup> to the point where pet dogs actively shape the way a family and home are experienced.<sup id="cite_ref-Power_66-0"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-Power-66">[66]</a></sup></p>
<p>There have been two major trends in the changing status of pet dogs. The first has been the &#8216;commodification&#8217; of the dog, shaping it to conform to human expectations of personality and behaviour.<sup id="cite_ref-Power_66-1"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-Power-66">[66]</a></sup> The second has been the broadening of the concept of the family and the home to include dogs-as-dogs within everyday routines and practices.<sup id="cite_ref-Power_66-2"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-Power-66">[66]</a></sup></p>
<p>There are a vast range of commodity forms available to transform a pet dog into an ideal companion.<sup id="cite_ref-Nast_67-0"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-Nast-67">[67]</a></sup> The list of goods, services and places available is enormous: from dog perfumes, couture, furniture and housing, to dog groomers, therapists, trainers and caretakers, dog cafes, spas, parks and beaches, and dog hotels, airlines and cemeteries.<sup id="cite_ref-Nast_67-1"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-Nast-67">[67]</a></sup> While <a title="Dog training" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog_training">dog training</a> as an organized activity can be traced back to the 18th century, in the last decades of the 20th century it became a high profile issue as many normal <a title="Dog behavior" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog_behavior">dog behaviors</a> such as barking, jumping up, digging, rolling in dung, fighting, and <a title="Spraying (animal behavior)" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spraying_(animal_behavior)">urine marking</a><sup>[<i><a title="Wikipedia:Please clarify" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Please_clarify">further explanation needed</a></i>]</sup> became increasingly incompatible with the new role of a pet dog.<sup id="cite_ref-dogzone_68-0"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-dogzone-68">[68]</a></sup> Dog training books, classes and television programs proliferated as the process of commodifying the pet dog continued.<sup id="cite_ref-Myths_69-0"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-Myths-69">[69]</a></sup></p>
<div>
<p><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Acd_santa.jpg"><img alt="An Australian Cattle Dog in reindeer antlers sits on Santa's lap" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/28/Acd_santa.jpg/220px-Acd_santa.jpg" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/28/Acd_santa.jpg/330px-Acd_santa.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/28/Acd_santa.jpg/440px-Acd_santa.jpg 2x" width="220" height="189" data-file-width="2335" data-file-height="2005" /></a></p>
<div>
<div></div>
<p>A pet dog taking part in Christmas traditions</p>
</div>
</div>
<p>The majority of contemporary people with dogs describe their pet as part of the family,<sup id="cite_ref-Power_66-3"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-Power-66">[66]</a></sup> although some ambivalence about the relationship is evident in the popular reconceptualization of the dog–human family as a pack.<sup id="cite_ref-Power_66-4"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-Power-66">[66]</a></sup> A <a title="Dominance (ethology)" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominance_(ethology)">dominance</a> model of dog–human relationships has been promoted by some dog trainers, such as on the television program <i><a title="Dog Whisperer" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog_Whisperer">Dog Whisperer</a></i>. However it has been disputed that &#8220;trying to achieve status&#8221; is characteristic of dog–human interactions.<sup id="cite_ref-Bradshaw_70-0"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-Bradshaw-70">[70]</a></sup> Pet dogs play an active role in family life; for example, a study of conversations in dog–human families showed how family members use the dog as a resource, talking to the dog, or talking through the dog, to mediate their interactions with each other.<sup id="cite_ref-Tannen_71-0"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-Tannen-71">[71]</a></sup></p>
<p>Another study of dogs&#8217; roles in families showed many dogs have set tasks or routines undertaken as family members, the most common of which was helping with the washing-up by licking the plates in the dishwasher, and bringing in the newspaper from the lawn.<sup id="cite_ref-Power_66-5"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-Power-66">[66]</a></sup> Increasingly, human family members are engaging in activities centered on the perceived needs and interests of the dog, or in which the dog is an integral partner, such as <a title="Musical canine freestyle" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Musical_canine_freestyle">Dog Dancing</a> and <a title="Doga (Dog Yoga)" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doga_(Dog_Yoga)">Doga</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-Nast_67-2"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-Nast-67">[67]</a></sup></p>
<p>According to the statistics published by the <a title="American Pet Products Manufacturers Association" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Pet_Products_Manufacturers_Association">American Pet Products Manufacturers Association</a> in the National Pet Owner Survey in 2009–2010, it is estimated there are 77.5 million people with pet dogs in the United States.<sup id="cite_ref-72"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-72">[72]</a></sup> The same survey shows nearly 40% of American households own at least one dog, of which 67% own just one dog, 25% two dogs and nearly 9% more than two dogs. There does not seem to be any gender preference among dogs as pets, as the statistical data reveal an equal number of female and male dog pets. Yet, although several programs are undergoing to promote <a title="Pet adoption" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pet_adoption">pet adoption</a>, less than a fifth of the owned dogs come from a shelter.</p>
<p>The latest study using <a title="Magnetic resonance imaging" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetic_resonance_imaging">Magnetic resonance imaging</a> (MRI) to humans and dogs together proved that dogs have same response of voices and use the same parts of brain as humans and made dogs understand of emotional human voices, made the dogs as friendly social pets to humans.<sup id="cite_ref-73"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-73">[73]</a></sup></p>
<h5>Work</h5>
<p>Dogs have lived and worked with humans in so many roles that they have earned the unique nickname, &#8220;man&#8217;s best friend&#8221;,<sup id="cite_ref-74"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-74">[74]</a></sup> a phrase used in other languages as well. They have been bred for herding livestock,<sup id="cite_ref-75"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-75">[75]</a></sup> hunting (e.g. pointers and hounds),<sup id="cite_ref-76"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-76">[76]</a></sup> rodent control,<sup id="cite_ref-ADW_3-1"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-ADW-3">[3]</a></sup> guarding, helping fishermen with nets, <a title="Detection dog" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detection_dog">detection dogs</a>, and pulling loads, in addition to their roles as companions.<sup id="cite_ref-ADW_3-2"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-ADW-3">[3]</a></sup> In 1957, a husky-terrier mix named <a title="Laika" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laika">Laika</a> became the first animal to orbit the <a title="Earth" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth">Earth</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-sputnik_77-0"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-sputnik-77">[77]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-78"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-78">[78]</a></sup></p>
<div>
<p><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Livre_de_Chasse_40v.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/ce/Livre_de_Chasse_40v.jpg/250px-Livre_de_Chasse_40v.jpg" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/ce/Livre_de_Chasse_40v.jpg/375px-Livre_de_Chasse_40v.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/ce/Livre_de_Chasse_40v.jpg/500px-Livre_de_Chasse_40v.jpg 2x" width="250" height="227" data-file-width="571" data-file-height="518" /></a></p>
<div>
<div></div>
<p><i>Book of the Hunt</i>, <a title="Gaston III, Count of Foix" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaston_III,_Count_of_Foix">Gaston III, Count of Foix</a>, 1387–88.</p>
</div>
</div>
<p><a title="Service dog" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Service_dog">Service dogs</a> such as <a title="Guide dog" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guide_dog">guide dogs</a>, utility dogs, assistance dogs, hearing dogs, and psychological therapy dogs provide assistance to individuals with physical or mental disabilities.<sup id="cite_ref-79"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-79">[79]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-80"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-80">[80]</a></sup> Some dogs owned by epileptics have been shown to alert their handler when the handler shows signs of an impending seizure, sometimes well in advance of onset, allowing the guardian to seek safety, medication, or medical care.<sup id="cite_ref-seizure_81-0"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-seizure-81">[81]</a></sup></p>
<p>Dogs included in human activities in terms of helping out humans are usually called <a title="Working dogs" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Working_dogs">working dogs</a>. Dogs of several breeds are considered working dogs. Some working dog breeds include <a title="American Akita" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Akita">Akita</a>, <a title="Alaskan Malamute" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alaskan_Malamute">Alaskan Malamute</a>, <a title="Anatolian Shepherd Dog" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anatolian_Shepherd_Dog">Anatolian Shepherd Dog</a>, <a title="Bernese Mountain Dog" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernese_Mountain_Dog">Bernese Mountain Dog</a>, <a title="Black Russian Terrier" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Russian_Terrier">Black Russian Terrier</a>, <a title="Boxer (dog)" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boxer_(dog)">Boxer</a>, <a title="Bullmastiff" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bullmastiff">Bullmastiff</a>, <a title="Doberman Pinscher" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doberman_Pinscher">Doberman Pinscher</a>, <a title="Dogue de Bordeaux" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dogue_de_Bordeaux">Dogue de Bordeaux</a>, <a title="German Pinscher" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_Pinscher">German Pinscher</a>, <a title="German Shepherd" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_Shepherd">German Shepherd</a>,<sup id="cite_ref-akc_82-0"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-akc-82">[82]</a></sup> <a title="Giant Schnauzer" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giant_Schnauzer">Giant Schnauzer</a>, <a title="Great Dane" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Dane">Great Dane</a>, <a title="Great Pyrenees" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Pyrenees">Great Pyrenees</a>, <a title="Great Swiss Mountain Dog" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Swiss_Mountain_Dog">Great Swiss Mountain Dog</a>,<a title="Komondor" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Komondor">Komondor</a>, <a title="Kuvasz" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuvasz">Kuvasz</a>, <a title="English Mastiff" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_Mastiff">Mastiff</a>, <a title="Neapolitan Mastiff" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neapolitan_Mastiff">Neapolitan Mastiff</a>, <a title="Newfoundland (dog)" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newfoundland_(dog)">Newfoundland</a>, <a title="Portuguese Water Dog" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portuguese_Water_Dog">Portuguese Water Dog</a>, <a title="Rottweiler" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rottweiler">Rottweiler</a>, <a title="St. Bernard (dog)" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Bernard_(dog)">Saint Bernard</a>, <a title="Samoyed (dog)" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samoyed_(dog)">Samoyed</a>, <a title="Siberian Husky" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siberian_Husky">Siberian Husky</a>, <a title="Standard Schnauzer" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standard_Schnauzer">Standard Schnauzer</a>, and <a title="Tibetan Mastiff" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tibetan_Mastiff">Tibetan Mastiff</a>.</p>
<h5>Sports and shows</h5>
<div>See also: <a title="Conformation show" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conformation_show">Conformation show</a></div>
<p>People often enter their dogs in competitions<sup id="cite_ref-83"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-83">[83]</a></sup> such as breed-conformation shows or <a title="List of dog sports" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_dog_sports">sports</a>, including racing, sledding and agility competitions.</p>
<p>In conformation shows, also referred to as breed shows, a judge familiar with the specific dog breed evaluates individual purebred dogs for conformity with their established breed type as described in the breed standard. As the breed standard only deals with the externally observable qualities of the dog (such as appearance, movement, and temperament), separately tested qualities (such as ability or health) are not part of the judging in conformation shows.</p>
<h5>As a food source</h5>
<div>Main article: <a title="Dog meat" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog_meat">Dog meat</a></div>
<div>
<p><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Gaegogi-01.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fb/Gaegogi-01.jpg/220px-Gaegogi-01.jpg" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fb/Gaegogi-01.jpg/330px-Gaegogi-01.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fb/Gaegogi-01.jpg/440px-Gaegogi-01.jpg 2x" width="220" height="165" data-file-width="2560" data-file-height="1920" /></a></p>
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<p><i>Gaegogi</i> (dog meat) stew being served in a Korean restaurant</p>
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<p>Dog meat is consumed in some East Asian countries, including Korea, China, and Vietnam, a practice that dates back to antiquity.<sup id="cite_ref-84"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-84">[84]</a></sup> It is estimated that 13–16 million dogs are killed and consumed in Asia every year.<sup id="cite_ref-85"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-85">[85]</a></sup> The BBC claims that, in 1999, more than 6,000 restaurants served soups made from dog meat in South Korea.<sup id="cite_ref-bbc422338_86-0"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-bbc422338-86">[86]</a></sup> In Korea, the primary dog breed raised for meat, the <i><a title="Nureongi" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nureongi">nureongi</a></i> (누렁이), differs from those breeds raised for pets that Koreans may keep in their homes.<sup id="cite_ref-87"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-87">[87]</a></sup></p>
<p>The most popular Korean dog dish is <i><a title="Bosintang" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bosintang">gaejang-guk</a></i> (also called <i>bosintang</i>), a spicy stew meant to balance the body&#8217;s heat during the summer months; followers of the custom claim this is done to ensure good health by balancing one&#8217;s <i><a title="Qi" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qi">gi</a></i>, or vital energy of the body. A 19th century version of <i>gaejang-guk</i> explains that the dish is prepared by boiling dog meat with <a title="Scallion" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scallion">scallions</a> and chili powder. Variations of the dish contain chicken and bamboo shoots. While the dishes are still popular in Korea with a segment of the population, dog is not as widely consumed as beef, chicken, and pork.<sup id="cite_ref-88"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-88">[88]</a></sup></p>
<p>A CNN report in China dated March 2010 includes an interview with a dog meat vendor who stated that most of the dogs that are available for selling to <a title="Restaurant" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Restaurant">restaurants</a>are raised in special farms but that there is always a chance that a sold dog is someone&#8217;s lost pet, although dog pet breeds are not considered edible.<sup id="cite_ref-89"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-89">[89]</a></sup></p>
<p>Other cultures, such as <a title="Polynesia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polynesia">Polynesia</a> and <a title="Pre-Columbian Mexico" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pre-Columbian_Mexico">pre-Columbian Mexico</a>, also consumed dog meat in their history. However, Western, South Asian, African, and Middle Eastern cultures, in general, regard consumption of dog meat as <a title="Taboo food and drink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taboo_food_and_drink">taboo</a>. In some places, however, such as in rural areas of Poland, dog fat is believed to have medicinal properties—being good for the lungs for instance.<sup id="cite_ref-90"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-90">[90]</a></sup> Dog meat is also consumed in some parts of Switzerland.<sup id="cite_ref-91"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-91">[91]</a></sup></p>
<h5>Health risks to humans</h5>
<div>Main article: <a title="Dog attack" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog_attack">Dog attack</a></div>
<div>
<p><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Pet_Waste_Station.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5b/Pet_Waste_Station.jpg/200px-Pet_Waste_Station.jpg" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5b/Pet_Waste_Station.jpg/300px-Pet_Waste_Station.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5b/Pet_Waste_Station.jpg/400px-Pet_Waste_Station.jpg 2x" width="200" height="267" data-file-width="3240" data-file-height="4320" /></a></p>
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<p>Pet waste station at a government building.</p>
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<p>It is estimated that 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs each year.<sup id="cite_ref-92"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-92">[92]</a></sup> In the 1980s and 1990s the US averaged 17 fatalities per year, while in the 2000s this has increased to 26.<sup id="cite_ref-autogenerated1_93-0"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-autogenerated1-93">[93]</a></sup> 77% of dog bites are from the pet of family or friends, and 50% of attacks occur on the property of the dog&#8217;s legal owner.<sup id="cite_ref-autogenerated1_93-1"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-autogenerated1-93">[93]</a></sup></p>
<p>A <a title="Colorado" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colorado">Colorado</a> study found bites in children were less severe than bites in adults.<sup id="cite_ref-94"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-94">[94]</a></sup> The incidence of dog bites in the US is 12.9 per 10,000 inhabitants, but for boys aged 5 to 9, the incidence rate is 60.7 per 10,000. Moreover, children have a much higher chance to be bitten in the face or neck.<sup id="cite_ref-95"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-95">[95]</a></sup> Sharp claws with powerful muscles behind them can lacerate flesh in a scratch that can lead to serious infections.<sup id="cite_ref-96"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-96">[96]</a></sup></p>
<p>In the UK between 2003 and 2004, there were 5,868 <a title="Dog attack" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog_attack">dog attacks</a> on humans, resulting in 5,770 working days lost in sick leave.<sup id="cite_ref-97"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-97">[97]</a></sup></p>
<p>In the United States, <a title="Cat" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cat">cats</a> and dogs are a factor in more than 86,000 falls each year.<sup id="cite_ref-98"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-98">[98]</a></sup> It has been estimated around 2% of dog-related injuries treated in UK hospitals are domestic accidents. The same study found that while dog involvement in road traffic accidents was difficult to quantify, dog-associated road accidents involving injury more commonly involved two-wheeled vehicles.<sup id="cite_ref-99"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-99">[99]</a></sup></p>
<p><i><a title="Toxocara canis" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toxocara_canis">Toxocara canis</a></i> (dog <a title="Roundworm" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roundworm">roundworm</a>) eggs in dog feces can cause <a title="Toxocariasis" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toxocariasis">toxocariasis</a>. In the United States, about 10,000 cases of <i>Toxocara</i> infection are reported in humans each year, and almost 14% of the U.S. population is infected.<sup id="cite_ref-100"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-100">[100]</a></sup> In Great Britain, 24% of soil samples taken from public parks contained <i>T. canis</i> eggs.<sup id="cite_ref-kidshealth_101-0"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-kidshealth-101">[101]</a></sup> Untreated toxocariasis can cause retinal damage and decreased vision.<sup id="cite_ref-kidshealth_101-1"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-kidshealth-101">[101]</a></sup> Dog feces can also contain <a title="Hookworm" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hookworm">hookworms</a> that cause <a title="Cutaneous larva migrans" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cutaneous_larva_migrans">cutaneous larva migrans</a> in humans.<sup id="cite_ref-102"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-102">[102]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-103"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-103">[103]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-104"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-104">[104]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-105"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-105">[105]</a></sup></p>
<h4>Health benefits for humans</h4>
<div>
<p><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Puppy_near_Coltani_-_17_apr_2010.jpg"><img alt="Small dog laying between the hands" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d4/Puppy_near_Coltani_-_17_apr_2010.jpg/220px-Puppy_near_Coltani_-_17_apr_2010.jpg" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d4/Puppy_near_Coltani_-_17_apr_2010.jpg/330px-Puppy_near_Coltani_-_17_apr_2010.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d4/Puppy_near_Coltani_-_17_apr_2010.jpg/440px-Puppy_near_Coltani_-_17_apr_2010.jpg 2x" width="220" height="147" data-file-width="2446" data-file-height="1632" /></a></p>
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<p>A human cuddles a <a title="Doberman Pinscher" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doberman_Pinscher">Doberman</a>puppy.</p>
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<p>The scientific evidence is mixed as to whether companionship of a dog can enhance human physical health and psychological wellbeing.<sup id="cite_ref-Pet_ownership_and_human_health:_a_brief_review_of_evidence_and_issues_106-0"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-Pet_ownership_and_human_health:_a_brief_review_of_evidence_and_issues-106">[106]</a></sup> Studies suggesting that there are benefits to physical health and psychological wellbeing<sup id="cite_ref-107"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-107">[107]</a></sup> have been criticised for being poorly controlled,<sup id="cite_ref-Health_effects_of_ownership_of_and_attachment_to_companion_animals_in_an_older_population_108-0"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-Health_effects_of_ownership_of_and_attachment_to_companion_animals_in_an_older_population-108">[108]</a></sup> and finding that &#8220;[t]he health of elderly people is related to their health habits and social supports but not to their ownership of, or attachment to, a companion animal.&#8221; Earlier studies have shown that people who keep pet dogs or cats exhibit better mental and physical health than those who do not, making fewer visits to the doctor and being less likely to be on medication than non-guardians.<sup id="cite_ref-109"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-109">[109]</a></sup></p>
<p>A 2005 paper states &#8220;recent research has failed to support earlier findings that pet ownership is associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, a reduced use of general practitioner services, or any psychological or physical benefits on health for community dwelling older people. Research has, however, pointed to significantly less absenteeism from school through sickness among children who live with pets.&#8221;<sup id="cite_ref-Pet_ownership_and_human_health:_a_brief_review_of_evidence_and_issues_106-1"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-Pet_ownership_and_human_health:_a_brief_review_of_evidence_and_issues-106">[106]</a></sup> In one study, new guardians reported a highly significant reduction in minor health problems during the first month following pet acquisition, and this effect was sustained in those with dogs through to the end of the study.<sup id="cite_ref-autogenerated717_110-0"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-autogenerated717-110">[110]</a></sup></p>
<p>In addition, people with pet dogs took considerably more physical exercise than those with cats and those without pets. The group without pets exhibited no statistically significant changes in health or behaviour. The results provide evidence that keeping pets may have positive effects on human health and behaviour, and that for guardians of dogs these effects are relatively long-term.<sup id="cite_ref-autogenerated717_110-1"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-autogenerated717-110">[110]</a></sup> Pet guardianship has also been associated with increased coronary artery disease survival, with human guardians being significantly less likely to die within one year of an acute myocardial infarction than those who did not own dogs.<sup id="cite_ref-111"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-111">[111]</a></sup></p>
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<p><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Gunnar_Kaasen_with_Balto.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4f/Gunnar_Kaasen_with_Balto.jpg/170px-Gunnar_Kaasen_with_Balto.jpg" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4f/Gunnar_Kaasen_with_Balto.jpg/255px-Gunnar_Kaasen_with_Balto.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4f/Gunnar_Kaasen_with_Balto.jpg 2x" width="170" height="221" data-file-width="262" data-file-height="341" /></a></p>
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<p><a title="Gunnar Kaasen" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gunnar_Kaasen">Gunnar Kaasen</a> and <a title="Balto" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balto">Balto</a>, the lead dog on the last relay team of the <a title="1925 serum run to Nome" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1925_serum_run_to_Nome">1925 serum run to Nome</a>.</p>
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<p>The health benefits of dogs can result from contact with dogs in general, and not solely from having dogs as pets. For example, when in the presence of a pet dog, people show reductions in cardiovascular, behavioral, and psychological indicators of anxiety.<sup id="cite_ref-112"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-112">[112]</a></sup> Other health benefits are gained from exposure to immune-stimulating microorganisms, which, according to the <a title="Hygiene hypothesis" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hygiene_hypothesis">hygiene hypothesis</a>, can protect against allergies and autoimmune diseases. The benefits of contact with a dog also include social support, as dogs are able to not only provide companionship and social support themselves, but also to act as facilitators of social interactions between humans.<sup id="cite_ref-113"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-113">[113]</a></sup> One study indicated that wheelchair users experience more positive social interactions with strangers when they are accompanied by a dog than when they are not.<sup id="cite_ref-114"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-114">[114]</a></sup></p>
<p>The practice of using dogs and other animals as a part of therapy dates back to the late 18th century, when animals were introduced into mental institutions to help socialize patients with mental disorders.<sup id="cite_ref-115"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-115">[115]</a></sup> Animal-assisted intervention research has shown that animal-assisted therapy with a dog can increase social behaviors, such as smiling and laughing, among people with Alzheimer&#8217;s disease.<sup id="cite_ref-116"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-116">[116]</a></sup> One study demonstrated that children with ADHD and conduct disorders who participated in an education program with dogs and other animals showed increased attendance, increased knowledge and skill objectives, and decreased antisocial and violent behavior compared to those who were not in an animal-assisted program.<sup id="cite_ref-117"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-117">[117]</a></sup></p>
<h5>Shelters</h5>
<div>Main article: <a title="Animal shelter" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal_shelter">Animal shelter</a></div>
<p>Every year, between 6 and 8 million dogs and cats enter US <a title="Animal shelter" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal_shelter">animal shelters</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-118"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-118">[118]</a></sup> The <a title="Humane Society of the United States" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humane_Society_of_the_United_States">Humane Society of the United States</a> (HSUS) estimates that approximately 3 to 4 million of those dogs and cats are <a title="Animal euthanasia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal_euthanasia">euthanized</a> yearly in the United States.<sup id="cite_ref-119"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-119">[119]</a></sup> However, the percentage of dogs in US animal shelters that are eventually adopted and removed from the shelters by their new legal owners has increased since the mid-1990s from around 25% to a 2012 average of 40% among reporting shelters<sup id="cite_ref-120"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-120">[120]</a></sup> (and many shelters reporting 60–75%).<sup id="cite_ref-121"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-121">[121]</a></sup></p>
<h4>Biology</h4>
<div>Main article: <a title="Dog anatomy" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog_anatomy">Dog anatomy</a></div>
<div>
<p><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Dog_anatomy_lateral_skeleton_view.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a6/Dog_anatomy_lateral_skeleton_view.jpg/250px-Dog_anatomy_lateral_skeleton_view.jpg" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a6/Dog_anatomy_lateral_skeleton_view.jpg/375px-Dog_anatomy_lateral_skeleton_view.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a6/Dog_anatomy_lateral_skeleton_view.jpg/500px-Dog_anatomy_lateral_skeleton_view.jpg 2x" width="250" height="207" data-file-width="1500" data-file-height="1239" /></a></p>
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<p>Lateral view of a dog&#8217;s bone structure.</p>
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<p>Domestic dogs have been selectively bred for millennia for various behaviors, sensory capabilities, and physical attributes.<sup id="cite_ref-ADW_3-3"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-ADW-3">[3]</a></sup> Modern <a title="Dog breed" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog_breed">dog breeds</a> show more variation in size, appearance, and behavior than any other domestic animal. Nevertheless, their morphology is based on that of their wild ancestors, gray wolves.<sup id="cite_ref-ADW_3-4"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-ADW-3">[3]</a></sup> Dogs are <a title="Predation" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Predation">predators</a> and <a title="Scavenger" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scavenger">scavengers</a>, and like many other predatory mammals, the dog has powerful muscles, fused wrist bones, a cardiovascular system that supports both sprinting and endurance, and teeth for catching and tearing.</p>
<p>Dogs are highly variable in height and weight. The smallest known adult dog was a <a title="Yorkshire Terrier" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yorkshire_Terrier">Yorkshire Terrier</a>, that stood only 6.3 cm (2.5 in) at the shoulder, 9.5 cm (3.7 in) in length along the head-and-body, and weighed only 113 grams (4.0 oz). The largest known dog was an <a title="English Mastiff" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_Mastiff">English Mastiff</a> which weighed 155.6 kg (343 lb) and was 250 cm (98 in) from the snout to the tail.<sup id="cite_ref-zorba_122-0"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-zorba-122">[122]</a></sup> The tallest dog is a <a title="Great Dane" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Dane">Great Dane</a> that stands 106.7 cm (42.0 in) at the shoulder.<sup id="cite_ref-123"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-123">[123]</a></sup></p>
<h4>Senses</h4>
<h5>Vision</h5>
<div>
<p><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Auge_Hund_Diagramm_engl.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/73/Auge_Hund_Diagramm_engl.jpg/300px-Auge_Hund_Diagramm_engl.jpg" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/73/Auge_Hund_Diagramm_engl.jpg/450px-Auge_Hund_Diagramm_engl.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/73/Auge_Hund_Diagramm_engl.jpg/600px-Auge_Hund_Diagramm_engl.jpg 2x" width="300" height="137" data-file-width="1347" data-file-height="616" /></a></p>
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<p>Dog&#8217;s visual <a title="Colour perception" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colour_perception">colour perception</a> compared with humans.</p>
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<p>Like most mammals, dogs are <a title="Dichromacy" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dichromacy">dichromats</a> and have color vision equivalent to red–green <a title="Color blindness" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Color_blindness">color blindness</a> in humans (deuteranopia).<sup id="cite_ref-coren_124-0"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-coren-124">[124]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-note1_125-0"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-note1-125">[125]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-note2_126-0"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-note2-126">[126]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-127"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-127">[127]</a></sup> So, dogs can see blue and yellow, but have difficulty differentiating red and green because they only have two spectral types of cone photoreceptor, while normal humans have three. And dogs use color instead of brightness to differentiate light or dark blue/yellow.<sup id="cite_ref-128"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-128">[128]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-129"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-129">[129]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-130"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-130">[130]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-131"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-131">[131]</a></sup> Dogs are less sensitive to differences in grey shades than humans and also can detect brightness at about half the accuracy of humans.<sup id="cite_ref-Mikl.C3.B3si_2009.2C_p._140_132-0"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-Mikl.C3.B3si_2009.2C_p._140-132">[132]</a></sup></p>
<p>The dog&#8217;s visual system has evolved to aid proficient hunting.<sup id="cite_ref-coren_124-1"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-coren-124">[124]</a></sup> While a dog&#8217;s <a title="Visual acuity" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visual_acuity">visual acuity</a> is poor (that of a <a title="Poodle" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poodle">poodle</a>&#8216;s has been estimated to translate to a <a title="Snellen chart" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snellen_chart">Snellen</a> rating of 20/75<sup id="cite_ref-coren_124-2"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-coren-124">[124]</a></sup>), their visual discrimination for moving objects is very high; dogs have been shown to be able to discriminate between humans (e.g., identifying their human guardian) at a range of between 800 and 900 m, however this range decreases to 500–600 m if the object is stationary.<sup id="cite_ref-coren_124-3"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-coren-124">[124]</a></sup></p>
<p>Dogs have a <a title="Temporal resolution" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temporal_resolution">temporal resolution</a> of between 60 and 70 Hz, which explains why many dogs struggle to watch television, as most such modern screens are optimized for humans at 50–60 Hz.<sup id="cite_ref-Mikl.C3.B3si_2009.2C_p._140_132-1"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-Mikl.C3.B3si_2009.2C_p._140-132">[132]</a></sup> Dogs can detect a change in movement that exists in a single <a title="Dioptre" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dioptre">diopter</a> of space within their eye. Humans, by comparison, require a change of between 10 and 20 diopters to detect movement.<sup id="cite_ref-Mech.2C_David_2006.2C_p._98_133-0"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-Mech.2C_David_2006.2C_p._98-133">[133]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-134"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-134">[134]</a></sup></p>
<p>As <a title="Crepuscular" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crepuscular">crepuscular</a> hunters, dogs often rely on their vision in low light situations: They have very large pupils, a high density of <a title="Rod cell" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rod_cell">rods</a> in the <a title="Fovea" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fovea">fovea</a>, an increased flicker rate, and a <a title="Tapetum lucidum" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tapetum_lucidum">tapetum lucidum</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-coren_124-4"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-coren-124">[124]</a></sup> The tapetum is a reflective surface behind the retina that reflects light to give the photoreceptors a second chance to catch the photons. There is also a relationship between body size and overall diameter of the eye. A range of 9.5 and 11.6 mm can be found between various breeds of dogs. This 20% variance can be substantial and is associated as an adaptation toward superior night vision.<sup id="cite_ref-135"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-135">[135]</a></sup></p>
<p>The eyes of different breeds of dogs have different shapes, dimensions, and retina configurations.<sup id="cite_ref-136"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-136">[136]</a></sup> Many long-nosed breeds have a &#8220;visual streak&#8221;—a wide foveal region that runs across the width of the retina and gives them a very wide field of excellent vision. Some <a title="Cephalic index" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cephalic_index#Dolichocephalic_animals">long-muzzled</a> breeds, in particular, the <a title="Sighthound" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sighthound">sighthounds</a>, have a field of vision up to 270° (compared to 180° for humans). Short-nosed breeds, on the other hand, have an &#8220;area centralis&#8221;: a central patch with up to three times the density of nerve endings as the visual streak, giving them detailed sight much more like a human&#8217;s. Some<a title="Cephalic index" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cephalic_index#Brachycephalic_animals">broad-headed</a> breeds with short noses have a field of vision similar to that of humans.<sup id="cite_ref-note1_125-1"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-note1-125">[125]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-note2_126-1"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-note2-126">[126]</a></sup></p>
<p>Most breeds have <a title="Emmetropic" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emmetropic">good vision</a>, but some show a <a title="Genetic predisposition" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genetic_predisposition">genetic predisposition</a> for <a title="Myopia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myopia">myopia</a> – such as <a title="Rottweiler" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rottweiler">Rottweilers</a>, with which one out of every two has been found to be <a title="Myopia in animals" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myopia_in_animals">myopic</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-coren_124-5"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-coren-124">[124]</a></sup> Dogs also have a greater divergence of the eye axis than humans, enabling them to rotate their pupils farther in any direction. The divergence of the eye axis of dogs ranges from 12–25° depending on the breed.<sup id="cite_ref-Mech.2C_David_2006.2C_p._98_133-1"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-Mech.2C_David_2006.2C_p._98-133">[133]</a></sup></p>
<p>Experimentation has proven that dogs can distinguish between complex visual images such as that of a cube or a prism. Dogs also show attraction to static visual images such as the silhouette of a dog on a screen, their own reflections, or videos of dogs; however, their interest declines sharply once they are unable to make social contact with the image.<sup id="cite_ref-137"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-137">[137]</a></sup></p>
<h5>Hearing</h5>
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<p><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Anatomy_and_physiology_of_animals_The_ear.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/33/Anatomy_and_physiology_of_animals_The_ear.jpg/300px-Anatomy_and_physiology_of_animals_The_ear.jpg" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/33/Anatomy_and_physiology_of_animals_The_ear.jpg/450px-Anatomy_and_physiology_of_animals_The_ear.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/33/Anatomy_and_physiology_of_animals_The_ear.jpg/600px-Anatomy_and_physiology_of_animals_The_ear.jpg 2x" width="300" height="172" data-file-width="628" data-file-height="361" /></a></p>
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<p>The physiology of a dog ear.</p>
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<p><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Transformation_of_the_ears_of_a_huskamute_puppy_in_6_days.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/14/Transformation_of_the_ears_of_a_huskamute_puppy_in_6_days.jpg/220px-Transformation_of_the_ears_of_a_huskamute_puppy_in_6_days.jpg" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/14/Transformation_of_the_ears_of_a_huskamute_puppy_in_6_days.jpg/330px-Transformation_of_the_ears_of_a_huskamute_puppy_in_6_days.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/14/Transformation_of_the_ears_of_a_huskamute_puppy_in_6_days.jpg/440px-Transformation_of_the_ears_of_a_huskamute_puppy_in_6_days.jpg 2x" width="220" height="106" data-file-width="1200" data-file-height="580" /></a></p>
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<p>Transformation of the ears of a huskamute puppy in 6 days</p>
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<p>The frequency range of dog hearing is approximately 40 Hz to 60,000 Hz,<sup id="cite_ref-Physics_Factbook_138-0"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-Physics_Factbook-138">[138]</a></sup> which means that dogs can detect sounds far beyond the upper limit of the human auditory spectrum.<sup id="cite_ref-note2_126-2"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-note2-126">[126]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-Physics_Factbook_138-1"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-Physics_Factbook-138">[138]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-139"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-139">[139]</a></sup> In addition, dogs have ear mobility, which allows them to rapidly pinpoint the exact location of a sound.<sup id="cite_ref-Dog_Sense_of_Hearing_140-0"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-Dog_Sense_of_Hearing-140">[140]</a></sup> Eighteen or more muscles can tilt, rotate, raise, or lower a dog&#8217;s ear. A dog can identify a sound&#8217;s location much faster than a human can, as well as hear sounds at four times the distance.<sup id="cite_ref-Dog_Sense_of_Hearing_140-1"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-Dog_Sense_of_Hearing-140">[140]</a></sup></p>
<h5>Smell</h5>
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<p><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Dog_nose.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/84/Dog_nose.jpg/220px-Dog_nose.jpg" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/84/Dog_nose.jpg/330px-Dog_nose.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/84/Dog_nose.jpg/440px-Dog_nose.jpg 2x" width="220" height="165" data-file-width="1600" data-file-height="1200" /></a></p>
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<p>The wet, textured <a title="Olfactory system" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olfactory_system">nose</a> of a dog</p>
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<p>While the human brain is dominated by a large <a title="Visual cortex" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visual_cortex">visual cortex</a>, the dog brain is dominated by an <a title="Olfactory system" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olfactory_system">olfactory cortex</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-coren_124-6"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-coren-124">[124]</a></sup> The <a title="Olfactory bulb" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olfactory_bulb">olfactory bulb</a> in dogs is roughly forty times bigger than the olfactory bulb in humans, relative to total brain size, with 125 to 220 million smell-sensitive receptors.<sup id="cite_ref-coren_124-7"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-coren-124">[124]</a></sup> The <a title="Bloodhound" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bloodhound">bloodhound</a> exceeds this standard with nearly 300 million receptors.<sup id="cite_ref-coren_124-8"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-coren-124">[124]</a></sup></p>
<p>Consequently, it has been estimated that dogs, in general, have an olfactory sense ranging from one hundred thousand to one million times more sensitive than a human&#8217;s. In some dog breeds, such as bloodhounds, the olfactory sense may be up to 100 million times greater than a human&#8217;s.<sup id="cite_ref-nhm.org_141-0"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-nhm.org-141">[141]</a></sup> The wet nose, or <a title="Rhinarium" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhinarium">rhinarium</a>, is essential for determining the direction of the air current containing the smell. Cold receptors in the skin are sensitive to the cooling of the skin by evaporation of the moisture by air currents.<sup id="cite_ref-142"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-142">[142]</a></sup></p>
<h4>Physical characteristics</h4>
<div>Main article: <a title="Dog anatomy" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog_anatomy">Dog anatomy</a></div>
<h5>Coat</h5>
<div>Main article: <a title="Coat (dog)" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coat_(dog)">Coat (dog)</a></div>
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<p><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Poligraf_Poligrafovich.JPG"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8c/Poligraf_Poligrafovich.JPG/170px-Poligraf_Poligrafovich.JPG" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8c/Poligraf_Poligrafovich.JPG/255px-Poligraf_Poligrafovich.JPG 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8c/Poligraf_Poligrafovich.JPG/340px-Poligraf_Poligrafovich.JPG 2x" width="170" height="211" data-file-width="934" data-file-height="1159" /></a></p>
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<p>A heavy winter coat with countershading in a <a title="Mixed-breed dog" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mixed-breed_dog">mixed-breed dog</a></p>
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<p>The <a title="Pelage" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pelage">coats</a> of domestic dogs are of two varieties: &#8220;double&#8221; being common with dogs (as well as wolves) originating from colder climates, made up of a coarse <a title="Guard hair" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guard_hair">guard hair</a> and a soft <a title="Down hair" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Down_hair">down hair</a>, or &#8220;single&#8221;, with the topcoat only.</p>
<p>Domestic dogs often display the remnants of <a title="Countershading" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Countershading">countershading</a>, a common natural camouflage pattern. A countershaded animal will have dark coloring on its upper surfaces and light coloring below,<sup id="cite_ref-About.com_143-0"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-About.com-143">[143]</a></sup> which reduces its general visibility. Thus, many breeds will have an occasional &#8220;blaze&#8221;, stripe, or &#8220;star&#8221; of white fur on their chest or underside.<sup id="cite_ref-Encyclopedia_of_Dog_Breeds_144-0"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-Encyclopedia_of_Dog_Breeds-144">[144]</a></sup></p>
<h5>Tail</h5>
<div>See also: <a title="Docking (dog)" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Docking_(dog)">Docking</a></div>
<p>There are many different shapes for dog <a title="Tail" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tail">tails</a>: straight, straight up, sickle, curled, or cork-screw. As with many canids, one of the primary functions of a dog&#8217;s tail is to communicate their emotional state, which can be important in getting along with others. In some hunting dogs, however, the tail is traditionally <a title="Docking (dog)" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Docking_(dog)">docked</a> to avoid injuries.<sup id="cite_ref-145"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-145">[145]</a></sup>In some breeds, such as the <a title="Braque du Bourbonnais" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Braque_du_Bourbonnais">Braque du Bourbonnais</a>, puppies can be born with a short tail or no tail at all.<sup id="cite_ref-146"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-146">[146]</a></sup></p>
<h4>Types and breeds</h4>
<div>Main article: <a title="Dog breed" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog_breed">Dog breed</a></div>
<div>Further information: <a title="Dog type" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog_type">Dog type</a></div>
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<p><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Cavalier_King_Charles_Spaniel_trio.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a5/Cavalier_King_Charles_Spaniel_trio.jpg/220px-Cavalier_King_Charles_Spaniel_trio.jpg" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a5/Cavalier_King_Charles_Spaniel_trio.jpg/330px-Cavalier_King_Charles_Spaniel_trio.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a5/Cavalier_King_Charles_Spaniel_trio.jpg/440px-Cavalier_King_Charles_Spaniel_trio.jpg 2x" width="220" height="168" data-file-width="1280" data-file-height="976" /></a></p>
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<p><a title="Cavalier King Charles Spaniel" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cavalier_King_Charles_Spaniel">Cavalier King Charles Spaniels</a>demonstrate within-breed variation.</p>
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<p>While all dogs are genetically very similar,<sup id="cite_ref-science2002_41-6"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-science2002-41">[41]</a></sup> <a title="Natural selection" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_selection">natural selection</a> and selective breeding have reinforced certain characteristics in certain populations of dogs, giving rise to dog types and dog breeds. Dog types are broad categories based on function, genetics, or characteristics.<sup id="cite_ref-147"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-147">[147]</a></sup> Dog breeds are groups of animals that possess a set of inherited characteristics that distinguishes them from other animals within the same species. Modern dog breeds are non-scientific classifications of dogs kept by modern <a title="Kennel club" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kennel_club">kennel clubs</a>.</p>
<p>Purebred dogs of one breed are genetically distinguishable from <a title="Purebred (dog)" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purebred_(dog)">purebred</a> dogs of other breeds,<sup id="cite_ref-parker_53-2"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-parker-53">[53]</a></sup> but the means by which kennel clubs classify dogs is unsystematic. Systematic analyses of the dog genome has revealed only four major types of dogs that can be said to be statistically distinct.<sup id="cite_ref-parker_53-3"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-parker-53">[53]</a></sup> These include the &#8220;old world dogs&#8221; (e.g., <a title="Alaskan Malamute" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alaskan_Malamute">Malamute</a> and <a title="Shar Pei" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shar_Pei">Shar Pei</a>), &#8220;Mastiff&#8221;-type (e.g., <a title="English Mastiff" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_Mastiff">English Mastiff</a>), &#8220;herding&#8221;-type (e.g., <a title="Border Collie" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Border_Collie">Border Collie</a>), and &#8220;all others&#8221; (also called &#8220;modern&#8221;- or &#8220;hunting&#8221;-type).<sup id="cite_ref-parker_53-4"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-parker-53">[53]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-AmSciarticle_148-0"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-AmSciarticle-148">[148]</a></sup></p>
<h5>Health</h5>
<div>Main articles: <a title="Dog health" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog_health">Dog health</a> and <a title="CVBD" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CVBD">CVBD</a></div>
<p>Dogs are susceptible to various diseases, ailments, and poisons, <a title="Zoonosis" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoonosis">some of which can affect humans</a>. To defend against many common diseases, dogs are often <a title="Vaccination of dogs" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaccination_of_dogs">vaccinated</a>.</p>
<p>There are many household plants that are poisonous to dogs, <a title="Begonia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Begonia">begonia</a> and <a title="Aloe vera" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aloe_vera">aloe vera</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-149"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-149">[149]</a></sup> <a title="Poinsettia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poinsettia">Poinsettia</a> is often claimed to be toxic but this is untrue. The <a title="LD50" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LD50">LD50</a> for rats was determined to be greater than 25g/kg.<sup id="cite_ref-150"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-150">[150]</a></sup> This would mean that a 50 pound dog would have to eat 500-600 leaves to have a 50% chance of death.</p>
<p>Some breeds of dogs are prone to certain genetic ailments such as <a title="Elbow dysplasia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elbow_dysplasia">elbow</a> or <a title="Hip dysplasia (canine)" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hip_dysplasia_(canine)">hip dysplasia</a>, <a title="Blindness" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blindness">blindness</a>, <a title="Deafness" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deafness">deafness</a>, <a title="Pulmonary valve stenosis" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulmonary_valve_stenosis">pulmonic stenosis</a>, <a title="Cleft lip and palate" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cleft_lip_and_palate">cleft palate</a>, and <a title="Luxating patella" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luxating_patella">trick knees</a>. Two serious medical conditions particularly affecting dogs are <a title="Pyometra" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyometra">pyometra</a>, affecting <a title="Neutering" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutering">unspayed</a> females of all types and ages, and <a title="Bloat" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bloat">bloat</a>, which affects the larger breeds or deep-chested dogs. Both of these are acute conditions, and can kill rapidly. Dogs are also susceptible to parasites such as <a title="Flea" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flea">fleas</a>, <a title="Tick" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tick">ticks</a>, and <a title="Mite" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mite">mites</a>, as well as <a title="Hookworm" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hookworm">hookworm</a>, <a title="Cestoda" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cestoda">tapeworm</a>, <a title="Nematode" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nematode">roundworm</a>, and <a title="Dirofilaria immitis" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dirofilaria_immitis">heartworm</a>.</p>
<p>Dogs are highly susceptible to <a title="Theobromine poisoning" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theobromine_poisoning">theobromine poisoning</a>, typically from ingestion of <a title="Chocolate" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chocolate">chocolate</a>. Theobromine is toxic to dogs because, although the dog&#8217;s metabolism is capable of breaking down the chemical, the process is so slow that even small amounts of chocolate can be fatal, especially dark chocolate.</p>
<p>Dogs are also vulnerable to some of the same health conditions as humans, including <a title="Diabetes in dogs" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diabetes_in_dogs">diabetes</a>, dental and heart disease, epilepsy, cancer, hypothyroidism, and arthritis.<sup id="cite_ref-151"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-151">[151]</a></sup></p>
<h5>Mortality</h5>
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<p><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Terrier_mixed-breed_dog.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ec/Terrier_mixed-breed_dog.jpg/220px-Terrier_mixed-breed_dog.jpg" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ec/Terrier_mixed-breed_dog.jpg/330px-Terrier_mixed-breed_dog.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ec/Terrier_mixed-breed_dog.jpg/440px-Terrier_mixed-breed_dog.jpg 2x" width="220" height="197" data-file-width="1280" data-file-height="1145" /></a></p>
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<p>A mixed-breed terrier. Mixed-breed dogs are generally healthier than pure-breds.</p>
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<div>Main article: <a title="Aging in dogs" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aging_in_dogs">Aging in dogs</a></div>
<p>The typical lifespan of dogs varies widely among breeds, but for most the median longevity, the age at which half the dogs in a population have died and half are still alive, ranges from 10 to 13 years.<sup id="cite_ref-KC_Survey_152-0"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-KC_Survey-152">[152]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-Denmark_Survey_153-0"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-Denmark_Survey-153">[153]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-British_Owners_154-0"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-British_Owners-154">[154]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-Cassidy_Data_155-0"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-Cassidy_Data-155">[155]</a></sup> Individual dogs may live well beyond the median of their breed.</p>
<p>The breed with the shortest lifespan (among breeds for which there is a questionnaire survey with a reasonable sample size) is the <a title="Dogue de Bordeaux" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dogue_de_Bordeaux">Dogue de Bordeaux</a>, with a median longevity of about 5.2 years, but several breeds, including <a title="Bull Terrier (Miniature)" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bull_Terrier_(Miniature)">Miniature Bull Terriers</a>, <a title="Bloodhound" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bloodhound">Bloodhounds</a>, and <a title="Irish Wolfhound" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_Wolfhound">Irish Wolfhounds</a> are nearly as short-lived, with median longevities of 6 to 7 years.<sup id="cite_ref-Cassidy_Data_155-1"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-Cassidy_Data-155">[155]</a></sup></p>
<p>The longest-lived breeds, including <a title="Toy Poodles" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toy_Poodles">Toy Poodles</a>, <a title="Japanese Spitz" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_Spitz">Japanese Spitz</a>, <a title="Border Terrier" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Border_Terrier">Border Terriers</a>, and <a title="Tibetan Spaniel" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tibetan_Spaniel">Tibetan Spaniels</a>, have median longevities of 14 to 15 years.<sup id="cite_ref-Cassidy_Data_155-2"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-Cassidy_Data-155">[155]</a></sup> The median longevity of <a title="Mixed-breed dog" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mixed-breed_dog">mixed-breed dogs</a>, taken as an average of all sizes, is one or more years longer than that of purebred dogs when all breeds are averaged.<sup id="cite_ref-Denmark_Survey_153-1"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-Denmark_Survey-153">[153]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-British_Owners_154-1"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-British_Owners-154">[154]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-Cassidy_Data_155-3"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-Cassidy_Data-155">[155]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-Vet_School_Data_156-0"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-Vet_School_Data-156">[156]</a></sup> The dog widely reported to be the longest-lived is &#8220;<a title="Bluey (dog)" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluey_(dog)">Bluey</a>&#8220;, who died in 1939 and was claimed to be 29.5 years old at the time of his death; however, the Bluey record is anecdotal and unverified.<sup id="cite_ref-AnAge_157-0"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-AnAge-157">[157]</a></sup> On 5 December 2011, <a title="Pusuke" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pusuke">Pusuke</a>, the world&#8217;s oldest living dog recognized by <a title="Guinness Book of World Records" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guinness_Book_of_World_Records">Guinness Book of World Records</a>, died aged 26 years and 9 months.<sup id="cite_ref-158"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-158">[158]</a></sup></p>
<h5>Predation</h5>
<p>Although wild dogs, like wolves, are <a title="Apex predator" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apex_predator">apex predators</a>, they can be killed in <a title="Territory (animal)" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Territory_(animal)">territory</a> disputes with wild animals.<sup id="cite_ref-WOLVES_159-0"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-WOLVES-159">[159]</a></sup> Furthermore, in areas where both dogs and other large predators live, dogs can be a major food source for big cats or canines. Reports from Croatia indicate wolves kill dogs more frequently than they kill sheep. Wolves in Russia apparently limit feral dog populations. In Wisconsin, more compensation has been paid for dog losses than livestock.<sup id="cite_ref-WOLVES_159-1"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-WOLVES-159">[159]</a></sup> Some wolf pairs have been reported to prey on dogs by having one wolf lure the dog out into heavy brush where the second animal waits in ambush.<sup id="cite_ref-Graves_160-0"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-Graves-160">[160]</a></sup> In some instances, wolves have displayed an uncharacteristic fearlessness of humans and buildings when attacking dogs, to the extent that they<sup>[<i><a title="Wikipedia:Avoid weasel words" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Avoid_weasel_words">which?</a></i>]</sup> have to be beaten off or killed.<sup id="cite_ref-161"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-161">[161]</a></sup></p>
<p><a title="Coyote" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coyote">Coyotes</a> and big cats have also been known to attack dogs. <a title="Leopard" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leopard">Leopards</a> in particular are known to have a predilection for dogs, and have been recorded to kill and consume them regardless of the dog&#8217;s size or ferocity.<sup id="cite_ref-Leopard_162-0"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-Leopard-162">[162]</a></sup> <a title="Tiger" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiger">Tigers</a> in Manchuria, Indochina, Indonesia, and Malaysia are reputed to kill dogs with the same vigor as leopards.<sup id="cite_ref-Perry_163-0"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-Perry-163">[163]</a></sup> <a title="Striped Hyena" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Striped_Hyena">Striped Hyenas</a> are major predators of village dogs in Turkmenistan, India, and the Caucasus.<sup id="cite_ref-Striped_164-0"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-Striped-164">[164]</a></sup> Reptiles such as alligators and pythons have been known to kill and eat dogs.</p>
<h4>Diet</h4>
<div>See also: <a title="Dog food" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog_food">Dog food</a></div>
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<p><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Golden_retriever_eating_pigs_foot.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/af/Golden_retriever_eating_pigs_foot.jpg/170px-Golden_retriever_eating_pigs_foot.jpg" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/af/Golden_retriever_eating_pigs_foot.jpg/255px-Golden_retriever_eating_pigs_foot.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/af/Golden_retriever_eating_pigs_foot.jpg/340px-Golden_retriever_eating_pigs_foot.jpg 2x" width="170" height="224" data-file-width="500" data-file-height="659" /></a></p>
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<p><a title="Golden Retriever" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Retriever">Golden Retriever</a> gnawing a pig&#8217;s foot</p>
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<p>Despite their descent from wolves and classification as <a title="Carnivora" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnivora">Carnivora</a>, dogs are variously described in scholarly and other writings as <a title="Carnivore" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnivore">carnivores</a><sup id="cite_ref-165"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-165">[165]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-166"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-166">[166]</a></sup> or<a title="Omnivore" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omnivore">omnivores</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-ADW_3-5"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-ADW-3">[3]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-167"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-167">[167]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-168"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-168">[168]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-169"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-169">[169]</a></sup> Unlike <a title="Obligate carnivore" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obligate_carnivore">obligate carnivores</a>, such as the <a title="Felidae" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Felidae">cat family</a> with its shorter <a title="Small intestine" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Small_intestine">small intestine</a>, dogs can adapt to a wide-ranging diet, and are not dependent on meat-specific protein nor a very high level of protein in order to fulfill their basic dietary requirements. Dogs will healthily digest a variety of foods, including vegetables and grains, and can consume a large proportion of these in their diet.<sup id="cite_ref-ADW_3-6"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-ADW-3">[3]</a></sup> Compared to their wolf ancestors, dogs have adaptations in genes involved in starch digestion that contribute to an increased ability to thrive on a starch-rich diet.<sup id="cite_ref-axelssonetal2013_170-0"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#cite_note-axelssonetal2013-170">[170]</a></sup></p>
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<h2>Visual Editor</h2>
<p>In the WordPress visual editor, simply choose Heading 4 &lt;H4&gt; or Heading 5 &lt;H5&gt; to create sections and use Line Break &lt;HR&gt; to signal the end of a collapsible section.<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1566" alt="collapsible-content" src="https://www.internetstack.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/collapsible-content.jpg" width="760" height="400" /></p>
<h2>Code</h2>
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