Dog

The dog (also known as 'ay' or 'eey'; scientific name Canis familiaris or Canis lupus familiaris) is a mammal belonging to the family Canidae. It was the first animal domesticated by humans, an event that occurred thousands of years ago and began with the wild wolf.

Dogs are found on all continents where humans live. They vary in size, colour, and temperament. There are many breeds that humans have selectively bred to obtain particular traits—such as guarding, herding, hunting, or companionship.

Body and senses

Dogs have a highly developed sense of smell, which many people use for finding lost persons and searching for hidden objects. Their hearing can detect sounds higher than those human ears perceive. Their vision is well suited to movement and low light, but they do not distinguish colours the way humans do.

Behaviour and relationship with humans

Dogs are social animals and typically live in groups. They communicate through vocalization (barking, growling), body language (tail, ears, posture), and smell in order to exchange information. Their ability to learn signals from humans explains their usefulness in various tasks: guiding blind people, detecting drugs, and protection.

Somalia and the Horn of Africa

Pastoral and agricultural Somali communities use dogs to guard livestock and settlements, particularly at night when there are threats from predators. In pastoral culture and among nomadic herding societies, the dog is regarded as a working animal that stays outdoors rather than as a companion animal kept in the home; this differs from practice in other parts of the world.

Health and disease

Dogs can carry rabies, a disease that is transmitted to humans through bites. Dog vaccination and management of stray dogs are the primary methods of prevention. Dogs are also susceptible to ticks and parasites that inhabit the skin and require care and treatment.