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.
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