Notes on 'Dogs' by Emily James

Table of Contents

• History
• Breeding
• Habitat and Diet
• Lifecycle
• Fun Facts
• Uses of Dogs
• Questions
• Glossary
• Works Referenced
• Common Core

History

• Dogs originally were wolves from Central Asia.
• Humans have lived with dogs since around 13,000 BC.
• Wolves were initially kept away but later welcomed for cleanliness and alarm features.
• Docile wolves were bred, eventually becoming what we know today as dogs.

Breeding

• Dogs now vary significantly in shape, size, and purpose due to selective breeding.
• Breeding practices involve selecting desired traits, such as size or skill.
• There are roughly 340 different dog breeds worldwide, all tracing back to wolves.

Habitat and Diet

• Dogs primarily live in human homes, ranging from apartments to farms.
• Their diet includes human-provided food, scraps, and hunted animals.
• Domesticated dogs are omnivorous, unlike their carnivorous wild ancestors.

Lifecycle

• Puppy: Needs mother for first 8 weeks; stage ends at 6-18 months.
• Adolescence: Begins at 6-18 months with hormonal changes and growth.
• Adult Dog: Reaches full maturity at 1-3 years; should be trained and less energetic.
• Senior: Considered old between 6-10 years; shows signs of aging like graying muzzles.

Fun Facts about Dogs

• Dogs have extraordinary senses of smell and hearing.
• They live approximately 10-14 years.
• Commonly have multiple puppies called a litter.
• Estimated 400 million dogs globally.
• Known as "man's best friend" due to strong human bonds.

Uses of Dogs

• Dogs serve multiple roles for humans, including:
  • Hunting
  • Shepherding
  • Companionship
  • Assisting (e.g., guide dogs)

Questions and Answers

• Where do dogs live? Humans' homes.
• Who do dogs live with? Humans.
• What do dogs eat? Dog food, scraps.
• When do dogs reach maturity? At one year.
• Why did dogs and humans begin to live together? Mutual benefits: humans provided food and shelter; dogs offered security.

Glossary

• Docile: Easily taught, led, or controlled.
• Breed: Producing offspring from animals.
• Dog Breeds: Different types within the species.
• Carnivorous: Meat-eating.
• Omnivorous: Eating both plants and meats.
• Adolescence: Transition from childhood to adulthood.
• Muzzle: The nose and mouth of an animal.

Works Referenced

• Various sources detailing the history and facts about dogs.
• Notable works mentioned include those by Karen Eva Carr, Laura Shannon, and multiple online resources.

Common Core Standards

• Emphasizes understanding through questioning and using illustrations.
• Encourages describing relationships between historical events and concepts.

Licensing

• Released under a CC BY 3.0 license, allowing for sharing and adaptation with credit.
• Includes a note on separate licensing for included works.