Throughout the world there are more than 800 types of dog races (dog Purebred) recognized by the Kennel Club in various countries. The term "pure Purebred dogs" really only applies to certain generations of dogs, because all dogs come from dog races mix.
A small portion of the main dog is the result of evolution more than 10,000 years ago and as old as the history of dog domestication. But most of the dog actually is a product of deliberate artificial selection. Various dog produced artificial selection actually has its own characteristics are typical only for the race. As a result, two dogs of different races may look very different, although both are the same animal. Although both dogs and look very different appearance, the dog could recognize fellow dogs among other animals.
Definition of dog races (Purebred dogs) very inviting controversy. Depending on the total population of the founder, breeding by using a closed gene pool that resulted in marriage a relative or founder effect. Dog breeders (kennels) are increasingly aware of the importance of population and maintain the diversity of genes in the gene pool. The medical examination and DNA testing by dog breeders can avoid was born puppies with health problems and serious behavior.
Some dog organizations have set the standard for a race (Purebred) are more lenient. A dog can be included as members of the race if you have 75% of the characteristics that must exist in these races. The same considerations about the standards applied are also dog in dog shows. Pure race dog who won dog shows are also sometimes not spared from the effects of genetic disorders and marital between relatives founders, however, this problem is not confined to just a pure race dog and could also apply to the population mix dog. Advantages of race is a dog's behavior and physical form that can be expected with more accurate. Labrador Retriever dogs generally like to play water, while the Beagle certainly very interested in a variety of odors. In contrast, the physical form and mix dog behavior unpredictable and sometimes very unique.
In February 2004, the Canine Studies Institute in Aurora, Ohio classify dogs into 10 categories.
Mix dog or mongrel dog is a dog that did not belong to a particular race, and is a mixture of 2 or more races in various percentages. Dog mix (mutt), or a dog without racial origin was not purely better or worse than a dog race to be used as companions, pets, working dogs, or compete in dog sports. Mix dog sometimes even intentionally, such as the Cockapoo dog is a Cocker Spaniel mixed with a miniature Poodle. Deliberate crosses like this puppy is expected to produce more superior as a result of heterosis. Also, puppies can have other characteristics desired, but the loss of one or more characteristics his parents owned, such as temperament or coat color. However, the crossing without genetic testing can sometimes reduce the genetic damage that have both parents. Deliberate cross-breeding between two or more races dogs can also produce a new dog.
Neoteni in the evolution of the dog races
Rapid evolution of wolves to dogs is an example neoteni or pedomorfosis. Like other species, the cub is more social and less dominant than adult wolves. Whether deliberately mapun not, the nature of the cub who loved people more likely to result in childishness that carried over to the adult wolves. Pedomorfosis natural selection also resulted in the persistence of the physical characteristics of young wolves. Compared with the wolves, most adult dog retains the physical characteristics of children, such as hair soft, plump body, head and big eyes, ears and not fall straight, and various other characteristics possessed young mammals. Everything to get such protection and care of adult mammals, including humans for reasons "funny" or "adorable."
Still there are many more examples neoteni on dogs, each race neoteni treated different depending on the nature of the desirable dogs.
- Shepherd dogs guard livestock show properties hounds, but it is controlled. Members of these groups such as Border Collies, Belgian Shepherd Malinois and Germany using the tactics of game hunters to frighten herd of cattle that can be controlled. Natural instinct to kill the hunted animal is pressed through the exercise. Another dog belonging to this group, like Welsh Corgi, Canaan, and the Australian Cattle act more aggressively when herding cattle. As well as take advantage of a smaller body to evade the animal against.
- Hunting dogs (gun dogs or bird dogs) is a human friend while hunting. Pointing dog breed (bookmark the location game), setter (search game), spaniel and retriever (collectors hunting) experienced mid-level pedomorfosis. Go hunting with "flock," but only serve as "hunters" junior who did not take part in the actual attack. This type dog discovered a potential target animal and make it unable to escape, but refrained from attacking game. The opportunity to attack it is given to a more adult predators. The result is a dog behavior "pointer" location game. Same with the dog's behavior "collector" who do not kill themselves prey animals. They only pick game in charge of the dead or wounded and brought to fellow "flock." Physical characteristics hound dog closer to adults than with the sheep dog, but usually do not have the upright ears.
- Sniffer dogs (Scenthound) still has the body size is a pattern of behavior and prey trail followed by the smell. Dogs that fall into this group still refrained from attacking prey alone, and need to call the leadership of the herd (in this case, humans) to finish the job. Beagle, Bloodhound, Basset Hound, Coonhound, Dachshund, Fox Hound, Otter Hound, and Harrier falls into this group.
- Sighthound a dog who chased and attacked any prey in sight. Dogs that fall into this group retains the physical form of adult dogs, with distinctive physical characteristics such as narrow chest and a slender body. But this breed is no longer a straight helix and two layers of fur-like coat like those of wolves. Afghan, Borzoi, Saluki, Sloughi, Pharaoh Hound, Azawakh, Whippet, and Greyhound falls into this group.
- Mastiff types of big and tall, has a big chest like a drum, a large bone and a thick skull. These groups have traditionally dogs were bred for war and guard dogs.
- Bulldog Types of body size were, bred to fight against other pets or wild animals. This breed has a square skull, large bones, broad shoulders, and muscular strength.
- Terrier types have an aggressive nature and less subject to the members of the senior herd. This group has the physical traits such as adult dogs erect ears, although the most preferred type of small body size and have short legs, so that this type of dog can catch prey in the burrow.