Page 10 - The Complete Dog Breed Book Choose the Perfect Dog for You, New Edition (DK)

10 INTRODUC TION T O DOG S

bone. Four large canine teeth at the front of a dog’s mouth TALL AND SHORT
are used for grabbing and biting prey, while the sides of the The extreme diversity of dog breeds
jaw include specially modified teeth, the carnassials, which is illustrated by the differences in leg
length between an Irish Wolfhound
the dog uses for shearing off meat. Dogs have a spacious and a Wirehaired Dachshund.
stomach for the storage of large quantities of food and,
since meat can be digested rapidly, a short intestinal tract. surroundings and the area of the
Dogs have a wide-angled field of vision that functions brain that interprets smells is
best at long distance, and they are extremely sensitive to around 40 times larger than the
movement. Out of the corner of an eye, a dog can pick up the corresponding area in a human
flicker of a rabbit a hundred feet away, but at close range, brain. Dogs’ noses are packed
canine vision is less efficient, which is why a dog may fail to with far more scent-receptive
spot a toy on the ground in front of his nose. Dogs have little cells than humans; while a person
use for sophisticated color vision, and their eyes have far has an estimated 5 million scent
fewer color-receptive cells than those of humans. receptors, a small dog may have closer to 130 million.
Sharp hearing and the ability to pinpoint the direction of In breeds renowned for their scenting ability, such as
sounds is essential to wild hunting dogs. Breeds with erect hounds, the number of scent receptors may be as many
ears shaped like those of the wolf are likely to have more as 200–300 million.
cute hearing than breeds with drop ears, which rely more on Unlike humans, dogs do not have sweat glands in their
sight or scent when hunting. A dog’s highly sensitive ears skin except on the bottoms of their paws. To cool down,
allow it to pick up sounds at a far higher frequency than dogs must pant, tongue hanging out. The tongue produces
can be heard by humans. Smell is the most important of copious saliva, some of which evaporates, so this helps
all canine senses. Sniffing is the way a dog reads its reduce body temperature.

A DOG’S BODY PLAN
Occiput All dogs have the same basic body design
handed down from their wolf ancestor,
Stop although centuries of selective breeding
Cheek have produced dramatic variations.
Withers
Shoulder Loins Hip Croup
Muzzle

Flews

Sternum Tail

Upper thigh
Chest Belly
Foreleg Lower thigh
Elbow Stifle
Hock
Pastern
Wrist Carpal pad Claws

Toes

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