Anatomy
Domestic
dogs have been selectively bred for millennia for various behaviors, sensory
capabilities, and physical attributes. Modern dog breeds show more variation in
size, appearance, and behavior than any other domestic animal. Dogs are
predators and scavengers, 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.
Size and weight
Dogs
are highly variable in height and weight. The smallest known adult dog was a
Yorkshire Terrier, 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 English Mastiff which weighed 155.6 kg (343 lb) and
was 250 cm (98 in) from the snout to the tail. The tallest dog is a Great Dane
that stands 106.7 cm (42.0 in) at the shoulder.
Senses
The
dog's senses include vision, hearing, sense of smell, sense of taste, touch and
sensitivity to the earth's magnetic field. Another study suggested that dogs
can see the earth's magnetic field.
Coat
The
coats of domestic dogs are of two varieties: "double" being common
with dogs (as well as wolves) originating from colder climates, made up of a
coarse guard hair and a soft down hair, or "single", with the topcoat
only.
Domestic
dogs often display the remnants of countershading, a common natural camouflage
pattern. A countershaded animal will have dark coloring on its upper surfaces
and light coloring below, which reduces its general visibility. Thus, many
breeds will have an occasional "blaze", stripe, or "star"
of white fur on their chest or underside.
Tail
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