Why are dog breeds so varied?

Question

How is it that dogs are so different from breed to breed? I guess that can be applied to all canines... How come they adapt and differentiate so suddenly?

I saw it on the National Geographic channel, but I can't remember it exactly... I think it had something to do with repetitions in the genetic code...

Answer 1

First, because of the varying demands of particular breeds. Let me give you a specific example. Terriers were very popular in England where they were used to either go to ground (help get a fox) or deal with rats and mice. When terriers came to America with lots of big, open space for grain farms much bigger than anything in England, the mice and rat problems weren't ones of rodents in the city but rather field mice getting into the barns and grain silos. So American farmers took the Old English Terrier (now extinct) and the Manchester Terrier. They then crossed them with sighthounds (mostly Whippets) so the dogs would react to sudden movement (even if it was small and quiet--like a mouse) and then added some beagle mix (so the dog would have a good nose at tracking). The result was....the rat terrier (a uniquely American dog). And it was bred specifically to be an economical (as in small so it didn't take much to feed it), low maintanence (easy going, no fuss-no muss) dog that would take care of your vermin on a farm. And 100 years ago, practically every grain farm in America had rat terriers--they were the ideal dog for that purpose. But if you wanted a dog to go after badgers, well, ...that's what the Germans bred dachshunds for. Or if it was going to ground, than a Jack Russell/Parson Russell. Different breeds for different purposes.

Second, even more varied than the breeds is the temperament. Take 4 puppies from the same litter and you can get 4 very different dogs. The Volhard temperament test is probably the most widely used way to measure dog personality.

Third, socialization and training makes a huge difference. Take a dog that has positive discipline, lots of physical activity, and lots of intellectual stimulation (games, constantly teaching tricks, performance sports like rally-o, agility, obedience, field trials) and you'll find a dog that is probably very happy, confident, calm and focused.

Yeah, genetics makes a difference but so much of it is also socialization, training and temperament.

Answer 2

Dog's Genetics only have a 0.8% difference from breed to breed. they are like they are because of origination and cross breeding which should equal mutts but over time were set as purebreds. dogs are they biggest varied species in the world a Dog such as a saint bernard and huskeys and malamutes were made for the colder regions whereas golden retrievers and german shepherds prefer warmer climates because of the the orgination.

Answer 3

To me intelligence is measured with how good the puppy situation solves and the way rapidly it learns new matters, now not if it watches TV or how obedient it's. So it is a strategy to scan your puppy's intelligence. Of path nurture additionally has a say right here, as a puppy who's used to finding out new methods will be trained quicker than a puppy that's much less aware of finding out new matters. There are puppy intelligence assessments on-line that take this under consideration, you'll be able to seem them up and do a scan to your puppy and your mom's puppy and examine the outcome. My genius cat hardly ever paid any concentration to the TV. In evaluation, the daftest cat I've ever had cherished the TV, he watched exercises methods, antiques methods and animal methods, to the factor of chasing the birds at the reveal and hiding at the back of the sofa to observe if it used to be a application with lions or tigers. Watching TV mainly has whatever to do with the animal being interested within the relocating items and sounds. Your lhasa apso used to be at the start bred to be an eye fixed puppy, so this mainly explains why she barks at puppies and cats within the TV, and why she loves to look forward to different puppies and men and women by way of the window.

Answer 4

because they were bred to be used for many different jobs. some are small to get into badger holes, some have a thick coat for cold weather, some were bred to be lap dogs and some for hunting, some are bred for camouflage in a heard and so on.

Answer 5

Because their uses are so varied and they were/are selectively bred to make them best at some specific use.