WikiFur - User contributions [en]

Dog

2010-01-07T23:37:04Z

71.198.111.121: /* Species overview */

[[Image:German Shepherd.JPG|right|thumb|[[German Shepherd]]s, a type of '''dog''']]The term '''dog''' may refer to a number of organisms, but is used here to describe the domesticated [[canine]]. Canines are one of the [[List of most popular phenotypes|most popular phenotypes]] of [[furries]], with a significant number of these being domestic dogs. More detailed information on individual breeds can be found in their respective articles.

==Species overview==

The domestic dog (''C. lupus familiaris'') is a subspecies of the [[wolf|grey wolf]] and a member of the family [[canine|Canidae]]. Dogs are [[carnivorous]] [[mammal]]s, though generalization about the subspecies is problematic because of the extreme variation brought about by the result of their domestication. Most dogs will eat almost any type of food. A few things may be said to be generally true:

Dogs can perceive sounds across a wider range than that of [[human]]s, from 20 Hz to 100 KHz (as opposed to 20 Hz to 20 KHz) and, thanks to mobility in their ears, can localize sound with greater precision. In addition, their sense of smell is significantly more advanced: it is said that a [[Wikipedia:bloodhound|bloodhound]] can detect a single drop of blood diluted with five gallons of water.

Their sight allows them keen perception of motion, and their field of vision is larger than that of humans (while still following the binocular vision typical of the [[carnivore]] pattern); however, they are dichromats and therefore functionally colorblind. Their visual acuity is relatively low, with much sensory input being olfactory and auditory.

They are generally less robust than their wild ancestors, with a less pronounced [[muzzle]] and an overall reduced muscular structure. Some of this may have to do with their upbringing; tellingly, wolf puppies raised apart from their society from birth develop some similar traits. However, with hundreds of breeds ranging from the [[Wikipedia:Yorkshire terriers|Yorkshire terrier]] to the [[Wikipedia:mastiff|mastiff]], and the [[Wikipedia:basset hound|basset hound]] to the [[Wikipedia:saluki|saluki]], such generalizations have only limited value in describing the subspecies as a whole.

==Dogs and human beings==

[[Image:Lennybiopic.jpg|right|thumb|[[Lenny Mutt]], the German Shepherd/Siberian Husky mix]]
Wolves domesticated at some point greater than fifteen thousand years ago (possibly as long ago as one hundred thousand years or more) form the basis for all modern canine stock; the dog is in fact identified taxonomically as a subspecies of ''Canis lupus''. The relationship since then has been cozy; ritual burials suggest a close association between the two species as early as the Mesolithic.

In modern context dogs have many roles within human society. Many are "employed" in search and rescue and drug/contraband location; others act as seeing-eye or assistance dogs. Throughout history they have served as everything from pack animals to emergency food source, although today both of these uses are much less common. A significant number--perhaps the vast majority--of dogs in the western world are companion animals with no assigned task ''per se''.

==Popular dog breeds within the furry fandom==

* [[Wikipedia:Alaskan Malamute|Alaskan Malamute]]
* [[Wikipedia:Beagle|Beagle]]
* [[Border Collie]]
* [[Wikipedia:Chihuahua (dog)|Chihuahua]]
* [[Wikipedia:Cocker Spaniel|Cocker Spaniel]]
* [[Wikipedia:Dachshund|Dachshund]]
* [[Wikipedia:Dalmatian (dog)|Dalmatian]]
* [[Wikipedia:Doberman Pinscher|Doberman Pinscher]]
* [[German Shepherd]]
* [[Labrador Retriever]]
* [[Pit bull]]
* [[Wikipedia:Rottweiler|Rottweiler]]
* [[Siberian Husky]]
* [[Wikipedia:Sheepdog|Sheepdog]]
* [[Wikipedia:Shih Tzu|Shih Tzu]]

==See also==

* [[:Category:Dog breeds|Dog breeds]]
* [[:Category:Dog-hybrid species|Dog-hybrid species]]
* [[Wolfdog]]

[[Category:Canine species]]

[[es:Perro]]
[[pl:Pies domowy]]
[[pt:Cão]]
[[ru:Собаки]]

Sheep

2010-01-07T23:35:14Z

71.198.111.121:

{{cleanup}}
There are very few '''sheep''' [[character]]s (or '''Ovines''') in the [[furry fandom]], compared to other [[species]]. There could be any number of reasons for this, including lack of glamour or perceived exoticness, or even that sheep aren't considered sexy or [[yiffy]] enough. Or perhaps yiffy in the wrong way; there are many jokes which make reference to sheep as sex objects. They are also though to be good for nothing but food or a source material (their fleece).

Another reason may be that sheep are seen as trend followers (for example, Felicia in ''[[Ozy and Millie]]''), while furry fans seek to be anything but that. It should be noted that [[fox]]es and [[wolf|wolves]], both seen as very individualistic, are among the most popular choices for [[fursona]]s.

== See also ==

* [[:Category:Sheep characters|Sheep characters]]

{{species-stub}}

[[Category:Ungulate species]]

Border Collie

2010-01-07T23:34:10Z

71.198.111.121:

The '''Border collie''' is a breed of working [[dog]] that originated in the border region between Scotland and England. The breed was bred to herd livestock, particularly [[sheep]], and combines intelligence and agility with a hardy constitution. They are moderately popular within the [[furry fandom]] after [[Husky|huskies]] and [[German Shepherd]]s, probably because of its familiarity, [[wolf]]like countenance and striking coloration.

==Traits==

As working dogs, border collies are selected for herding ability and stamina, resulting in a wide variation in physical appearance. The colouration most commonly associated with the breed is a distinctive black and white, but many other variations exist, including red and white, brown and white, merle and almost pure black.

Border collies are noted for their extremely high level of intelligence and suitability for training. One border collie, Rico, has been demonstrated to have a functional vocabulary of over 200 words.<ref>http://www.sciencemag.org/feature/data/bloom.pdf</ref> They are also extremely agile, making them good at dog sports.

Border collies possess a 'herding instinct', a modified form of the hunting instinct, causing them to adopt a characteristic herding pose and fix their target with a penetrating stare. The target, originally sheep, may include [[duck]]s, cars, children, other dogs or even [[bird]]s in the sky. Because of their intelligence and desire to work, they may not make good [[pet]]s for people who can't provide them with enough exercise and mental stimulation. So one who adopts a Collie may want to really consider taking on such a workload, though the effects are usually very rewarding. Everyone who happens to own a Collie swears by them.

==References==
<references/>

==External links==

*[http://bordercollie-fanclub.deviantart.com/ Border collie fanclub on DeviantART]

[[Category:Dog breeds]]