Dog

Dog, carnivorous mammal of the family Canidae. The wild dog, usually with long legs, long muzzle, and bushy tail, lives by chasing its prey. Many live in packs. Wild dogs include the raccoon dog of Asia and several South American forms, such as the bush dog and the maned wolf. Domestic dogs are members of the species Canis familiaris. There are more than 200 known breeds of highly variable appearance, classified as sporting dogs, nonsporting dogs, working dogs, toy dogs, hounds, and terriers. The dog may have been the first domesticated animal.