Domestic Dog (Canis familiaris) — identification, habitat & look-alikes

Domestic Dogs have lived alongside people for thousands of years as companions and working animals. Dogs are good at reading human gestures, such as pointing.

Look-alikes

CoyoteCanis latrans

A coyote (Canis latrans) usually has a narrow muzzle, large pointed ears, and a bushy tail held low. Dog breeds vary widely, so check several features together.

Why they get mixed upCoyotes can resemble medium-size dogs.

Gray WolfCanis lupus

Wolves keep their tails straight, while some dogs have curled tails. Wolf-like dogs can be hard to separate from a single photo.

Why they get mixed upSome large dogs look much like wolves.

Where it lives

Typical habitats: Wherever people live
Range: Dogs live alongside people across the United States and much of the world.
When it’s recorded: Recorded year-round, every year
913 observations in the US · 10 years · for referenceChoose a state

Behavior

Diet: Dogs eat both animal and plant foods. Compared with gray wolves (Canis lupus), they are better adapted to digest starch.
Social life: Dogs are highly tuned in to human communication, like pointing and tone of voice.
Senses: Dogs have a far keener sense of smell and better hearing than we do. They see color mostly in yellows and blues.

Life cycle

Gestation: Pregnancy lasts about 63 days.
Litter size: A litter averages about six puppies.
Time to maturity: Most dogs can breed at 6 months to 1 year old; large breeds may take up to 2 years.
Lifespan: Lifespan varies widely with breed and body size.

Name and classification

About the name: Some classifications call the dog Canis lupus familiaris, a of the gray wolf, while others treat it as a separate species, Canis familiaris.
Varieties and forms: Dog breeds vary widely in size, coat, and shape. Some classifications divide dogs into the Dingo (Canis familiaris dingo) and Western Dog (Canis familiaris familiaris) subspecies.

Conservation

IUCN Red List: NENot EvaluatedNot yet assessed

Culture and stories

Culture and stories: Dogs have long worked with people in hunting, herding, assistance, and companionship.

26 sources