Post by muskyhusky on Oct 18, 2008 18:29:18 GMT -6
Dogs and wolves have much in common. Northern breeds of dogs -- the Alaskan Malamute, Akita, Chow, Siberian Husky, and related breeds -- are closest to the wolf in appearance. These are double-coated dogs with plush undercoats for warmth and coarse outer coats for protection against wind, rain, and snow. Many of these breeds have "wild" coat coloring, with several distinct colors often appearing in each overcoat hair. They also tend to have broad heads with plenty of brain space, but their brain capacity, muzzle-length, and strength of jaw are less than that of their progenitors.
Wolves mature physically at a later age than dogs; females have their first estrus at two years of age or older, and they cycle only once each year, usually in late winter. Males mature at age three or later.
Dogs that developed from northern wolves tend to be substantial canines, well-muscled and well-suited for hunting large game (Akita), herding reindeer (Samoyed), and pulling sledges (Alaskan Malamute and Siberian Husky). Dogs that developed from wolves in temperate or more southern climates tend to have shorter coats and be more streamlined than their northern cousins. Sighthounds (Afghan Hounds, Salukis, Basenjis, and Greyhounds), dingoes, and pariah dogs fall into this group.
Mastiff-type dogs probably were developed as a result of gigantism originating in populations of a mountain wolf in northern India or Tibet. Most other breeds are presumed to have developed from crosses between the northern, dingo-pariah, and mastiff groups, some with an admixture of dwarfism genes.
Wolves mature physically at a later age than dogs; females have their first estrus at two years of age or older, and they cycle only once each year, usually in late winter. Males mature at age three or later.
Dogs that developed from northern wolves tend to be substantial canines, well-muscled and well-suited for hunting large game (Akita), herding reindeer (Samoyed), and pulling sledges (Alaskan Malamute and Siberian Husky). Dogs that developed from wolves in temperate or more southern climates tend to have shorter coats and be more streamlined than their northern cousins. Sighthounds (Afghan Hounds, Salukis, Basenjis, and Greyhounds), dingoes, and pariah dogs fall into this group.
Mastiff-type dogs probably were developed as a result of gigantism originating in populations of a mountain wolf in northern India or Tibet. Most other breeds are presumed to have developed from crosses between the northern, dingo-pariah, and mastiff groups, some with an admixture of dwarfism genes.
