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Hey, Everyone I am Sacha Birdsong, I am a Freshman At Pitzer Planning to study Environmental analysis. I love to be outdoors and with my dogs back home. Im From Las Vegas.

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Common Name:

Domestic dogs

Scientific Name:

Canis familiaris

Average Life Span In The Wild:

12 years

Size:

Five to 35 inches at the shoulder

Weight:

Three to 250 pounds

Size relative to a 6-ft man:

What is a domestic dog?

The term "domestic dog" refers to any of several hundred breeds of dog in the world today. While these animals vary drastically in appearance, every dog-from the Chihuahua to the Great Dane-is a member of the same species, Canis familiaris. This separates domestic dogs from wild canines, such as coyotes, foxes, and wolves.

Domestic dogs are mostly kept as pets, though many breeds are capable of surviving on their own, whether it's in a forest or on city streets. A third of all households worldwide have a dog, according to a 2016 consumer insights study. This makes the domestic dog the most popular pet on the planet.

Evolutionary origins

All dogs descend from a species of wolf, but not the gray wolf (Canis lupus), like many people assume. In fact, DNA evidence suggests that the now-extinct wolf ancestor to modern dogs was Eurasian. However, scientists are still working to understand exactly what species gave rise to dogs.

When dogs broke off from their wild ancestors is also a matter of mystery, but genetics suggest that it occurred between 15,000 and 30,000 years ago.

While it's impossible to say exactly how a wild wolf species became a domesticated dog, most scientists believe the process happened gradually as wolves became more comfortable with humans. Perhaps wolves started down this path simply by eating human scraps. Many generations later, humans might have encouraged wolves to stay near by actively feeding them. Later still, those wolves may have been welcomed into the human home and eventually bred to encourage certain traits. All of this is thought to have unfolded over thousands of years.

Dog breeds

Today, many of the dogs you know and love are the product of selective breeding between individuals with desirable traits, either physical or behavioral. For instance, around 9,500 years ago, ancient peoples began breeding dogs that were best able to survive and work in the cold. These dogs would become the family of sled dogs-including breeds such as huskies and malamutes-that remains relatively unchanged today.

Similarly, humans bred German shepherds for their ability to herd livestock, Labrador retrievers to help collect ducks and other game felled by hunters, and sausage-shaped Dachshunds for their ability to rush down a burrow after a badger. Many more breeds were created to fill other human needs, such as home protection and vermin control.

Certain breeds have also been created to make dogs more desirable as companions. For instance, the labradoodle, which combines the traits of a Labrador retriever and a poodle, was invented as an attempt to create a hypoallergenic guide dog.

Modern working dogs

While people rely less on dogs for daily tasks than they did in the past, there are still many modern jobs for pooches.

Because the domestic dog's sense of smell is between 10,000 and 100,000 better than our own, canines now assist law enforcement by sniffing out drugs, explosives, and even electronics. They can also help conservationists find and protect endangered species using their super-powered schnozzes.

They assist search and rescue teams in the wake of natural disasters or reports of people lost in the outdoors. Dogs trained to warn of hidden explosives and enemies serve as allies in military operations. Other dogs assist police looking for jail escapees or the bodies of murder victims. Some partner instead with customs officials searching for contraband, from drugs to elephant ivory. Still others lead the way tracking down poachers, patrolling cargo ships for rats that might escape at distant harbors, or exposing forest insect pests in shipments of wood from abroad.

Similarly, dogs can sniff out early signs of Parkinson's disease, diabetes, several types of cancer, oncoming epileptic seizures, and antibiotic-resistant bacteria. They guide deaf and blind people, and they help people with autism and post-traumatic stress disorder manage with anxiety.

Living with dogs

Most dogs are a mix of breeds-in 2015, one study estimated that only 5 percent of dogs in shelters are purebred. Just as dogs come in all sizes, shapes, and colors, these animals also come in a spectrum of temperaments. A bulldog might look fierce but be cuddly as a kitten, whereas a cute cocker spaniel might nip at your finger without thinking twice.

This is why animal handling expert Jack Hanna recommends teaching children to always exercise caution around a dog they do not know. For instance, he says kids should ask for permission from the dog's owner before trying to pet or play with the animal. Offering an outstretched hand also allows the dog to familiarize itself with a new person before reaching behind its head where it can't see what you're doing, which might make a dog nervous or scared. Finally, never allow children to put their faces near the dog's muzzle.

"I don't care what kind of dog it is," Hanna told National Geographic. "The owner may say, 'Well, this dog's never bit anyone before.' But that's not the point. The point is it can happen."

Of course, when dogs are cared for properly and treated with respect, they can be incredibly loving, playful, and intelligent companions. What's more, by understanding where dogs come from, pet owners might learn to appreciate their canines even more.

After all, the yipping and tail-wagging your dog performs when you grab a bag of treats are carry-overs from when its ancestors needed to communicate with other members of its social group. Chasing sticks and balls may be linked to the pursuit of prey, while digging at the carpet or a dog bed echoes how a wild canid would prepare its sleeping area. And each time Fido stops to sniff a fire hydrant on your walk, it's analyzing the pheromones left behind by another dog's urine.

We take these behaviors for granted because dogs have become "man's best friend." But deep inside every pit bull and Pomeranian, there lie hints of the past.

Editor's note: Bringing a dog into your household is a major responsibility. More than 1.6 million dogs ended up in shelters in 2020. Learn how to keep your dog happy and healthy with the National Geographic book Complete Guide To Pet Health, Behavior, and Happiness.

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Common Name: Domestic dogs Scientific Name: Canis familiaris Average Life Span In The Wild: 12 years Size: Five to 35 inches at the shoulder Weight: Three to 250 pounds Size relative to a 6-ft man: The term "domestic dog" refers to any of several hundred breeds of dog in the world today.

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Hi!

My name is Victoria, and I am a freshman at Pitzer. I am planning to major in Biology and I am on the pre-med track. I am from Atlanta, Georgia. I am a very big braves fan as well as a moderate Oakland A's fan :). A fun fact about me is that I have a twin.

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Hi guys! My name is Hailey, and I'm a CMC freshman planning to study environmental analysis. I'm from Hood River, OR, a small rural town about an hour east of Portland. I love being outside, and I have a minor obsession with trees :)

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Hi! My name is Athena. I'm from Shanghai, China (pictured above) and I went to high school near Santa Barbara. I'm a freshman at Scripps and currently undecided in terms of major but leaning towards STEM. I love interacting with cats, making ceramics, and collecting magnets from the places I've traveled to!

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(I apologize for not doing this earlier!!)

Hello! My name is Nicole, and I'm a freshman at Scripps. I plan to major in Biology or Psychology and I am on the pre-med track. I'm from Glendora, California (very closeby), and I love sharing music, watching movies, and going on hikes. The picture shown is from when I went to study owls in the Chiricahua Mountains in Arizona with a student research team :). That's me holding it!

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Hi! My name is Kristen, and I go to CMC. I'm from Palos Verdes, CA and I'm dual majoring in environmental analysis and government. I like to run and surf in my free time!

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Hi all! My name is Thomas and I’m from Denver Colorado. I am a first year at CMC and I am going to be playing baseball in the spring. I think I am going to major in science management this year.

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Hi! My name is Nathan and a freshman at CMC. I plan to major in neuroscience on a pre-health track. I’m from Las Vegas, Nevada. I love to hang out with my friends, play volleyball, and working out. The picture attached is one of my friends enjoying a popsicle from the Scripps dining hall!

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Hi! My name is Eve and I'm a freshman at Scripps. I am planning to major in Environmental Science and I'm from San Francisco. My favorite flower is the forget me not.

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Hi!
I'm Otis (he/him). I am a sophomore at CMC. I am majoring in economics-engineering and am from Berkely California. I love to play music, specifically the double bass.

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Hey guys I'm Rhea and I'm a freshman at CMC. I'm from Bakersfield, CA and I'm thinking about majoring in Science Management. I love boxing, painting, running with my dog, and mixing music. Here's a pic of my dog, Bear.

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Hi everyone! I'm Idale, I'm a first-year at Scripps, and I'm from San Francisco! I'm in the Claremont orchestra and treble choir, and I love anything music-related. I also love bio and plan to be on the pre-med track! The picture is of one of my cats :)

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Hi! My name is Lydia and I am from Northampton, Massachusetts. I am a first-year at Scripps and am thinking about majoring in Neuroscience. I enjoy traveling and hiking. The picture above is Mount Etna, an active volcano in Sicily, that I hiked to last summer.

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Hello everyone, my name is Carson Knautz and I am a freshman at Pitzer. I am from Yakima, Washington. I play football for Pomona-Pitzer and I plan on majoring in Biochemistry. I love being outdoors and staying active.

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Hi! I'm Luci and I'm a freshman at CMC. I lived a lot of my life in a small town in Virginia, but I've also lived in 3 other countries and 3 other states. I'm planning to major in neuroscience on the pre-med track.

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Hey gang! My name is Elisa and I'm a freshman at CMC studying EEP. I'm from LA, more specifically Pasadena, which is only 45 minutes from campus. So if any of ya'll can't go home for Thanksgiving, you're welcome at my place! I love camping, hiking, and mountain biking, and can't wait to explore the mountains behind Claremont soon. I also love to cook, and can make some banger mochi. Looking forward to chem this year!

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Hey! I'm Jaimie and I'm a freshman at Scripps. I'm from Austin, Texas and I plan on majoring in Psychology. Some of my favorite things include playing tennis, watching the sunset, and going to the beach.

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Hi! I'm Vania and I'm from Pennsylvania. I'm a first year at CMC majoring in biology. A fun fact about me is that I am a big snoopy and woodstock fan!

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Hi!! I'm Chloe (she/her) and I'm from Denver, Colorado. I'm a freshman at Scripps majoring in biology and dance. Here's a picture of my adorable and very sleepy cat Nola :)

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Hi Everyone my name is Sara and I am a Junior at CMC majoring in Econ-Engineering, I am from Palestine (image above is of my city) and a fun fact about me is I took drifting lessons this summer

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Hi! My name is Alyssa and I'm a sophomore at Scripps. I was born in Singapore, but spent half my life in Tokyo and the other half in Hong Kong. People often ask if this means I can speak Cantonese ... I do know how to say "I don't speak Cantonese" in the language. I speak fluent Japanese, though!

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Hi everyone! My name is Sammy Natesan and I am from Northern California. I am hoping to be a biology major, and a fun fact about me is that my favorite snack is popcorn!

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Hi! I'm Grace and I'm a freshman at Scripps. I'm from San Diego, and I plan on majoring in bio! Attached is a pic of a beach where I'm from :)

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hello! My name is cesar morales and I am a freshman at PZ. I am planning to major in Bio and I am from Marin County, CA. One of my favorite things to do in Marin is go to Bolinas Ridge to watch the sunset.

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Hi everyone! My name is Manya, and I'm a freshman at Scripps. I'm from the Sacramento area, and I'm thinking about majoring in Cognitive Science. A fun fact about me is that my favorite candy is Twix!

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Hi guys, my name is Audrey and I'm a freshman at Scripps. I'm from Portland, Oregon and I think I'm going to major in biology. When I'm back in Portland I work as a barista (so enjoy this photo of a syrup rack from work).

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Hey guys, my name's Abby, and i'm a sophomore at Scripps. I'm majoring in Art Conservation (a combo of art and chem) and am from a small town North of SF. Fun fact, my roommate has a really cute cat named Levi :)

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Hi everyone!
I'm Natalia (she/her). I am a freshman at CMC majoring in Biology. I'm from Chicago. When I was younger, one of my favorite places was Navy Pier. It is located in downtown Chicago right by Lake Michigan.

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Hi everyone, my name is Laila and I'm a sophomore at Scripps majoring in English and on the pre-health track. I'm from Oakland, California. A fun fact about me is that I love plants!

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What's up, I'm Carson, a sophomore at CMC. I'm a Science Management major and I'm from Whitefish, Montana. I worked as a zip line tour guide over the summer. Here's a pic!

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What's up Chem squad, I'm Luke, a freshman at CMC from the Santa Barbara area majoring in Neuroscience and playing football for CMS. I'm a big fan of anything backpacking, hiking, camping related and I play a lot of spike ball & Kanjam.

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Boats and boating--Equipment and supplies

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Hi all! My name is Rylie, I'm a first year at CMC majoring in biology. I love the beach, and this is a pic of the lighthouse on the island where I grew up!

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Hi everyone, my name is Amar Toric and I am from Phoenix, Arizona. I'm an Econ major at CMC and a fun fact about me is my favorite animal is a penguin.

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A picture of obsidian (an igneous rock) on a wood round in front of a small succulent and a geometric vase

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Hi everyone! I am Prof. Kareesa or Prof. K! My favorite type of rock is obsidian!