Dogs were the first animals to be domesticated. Dog bone remains dating from about 14,000 years BC have been found associated with human relics in Pleistocene archaeological sites (Clutton-Brock, 2005). The analysis of dog populations around the world and from grey wolves strongly suggest that both Old World and New World dogs originated in East Asia, with the New World dogs accompanying humans as they crossed the Bering Straits (Leonard et al., 2002; Savolainen et al., 2002). This idea which is most consistent with the highly polymorphic status of the dog population would imply a large size dog allele pool size.
The dog is one of the most popular pets in the world. It ordinarily remains loyal to a considerate master, …show more content…
It ordinarily remains loyal to a considerate master, and because of this the dog has been called man's best friend. Class distinctions between people have no part in a dog's life. It can be a faithful companion to either rich or poor.
Dogs play an astonishing role in human society. Many individuals put their faith in rescue dogs when stranded in the wilderness or capsized in cold water (American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, 2007). In addition, dogs are most likely the first animals to be domesticated and as such have shared common environment with humans for thousands of years. However, the species’ fur coloration has recently been subject to scientific observation.
Dog Coat/Fur The genetics of coat color has been studied extensively in the dog. More recently, studies of canine coat length and texture, beginning with simple Mendelian traits segregating in single breeds, have been undertaken (Berryere, Kerns, Schmutz 2005). The fur, or hair, of all mammals is made up of the protein keratin and dead skin cells. It grows from follicles in the dermis, or inner layer of the skin. The follicles of dogs, which depend on their fur to regulate their body temperatures, have several hairs growing out of one …show more content…
The nose will be black, liver, blue or isabella depending on the type of eumelanin the dog can produce. The colour in irises is produced by layers of pigment, and brown eyes like most dogs have (and like many people have too) are caused by black eumelanin in those layers. When a dog has altered/restricted production of eumelanin, the irises are also unable to produce full-strength eumelanin. This means that the dark pigment in the eye becomes lighter, and the eyes turn into a light brown colour, known as amber or gold. This isn't really a colour we find in human irises, but the closest we have are hazel eyes, which are a mixture of green and brown, and so appear lighter than normal brown