- Artificial selection
- The process of change and variation in a species by human intervention.
- Body language
- Communication without words. Dogs communicate using body postures, as well as vocalizations:
belly up—submission
tail out, hair raised, teeth bared—aggression
forequarters lowered—play time
- Breed
- A variety of animal within a species. There are many breeds of dogs, but they all belong to the same species (Canis familiaris).
- Canid (family Canidae)
- A member of the carnivorous family of mammals called Canidae, which includes foxes, wolves, dogs, jackals and coyotes.
- Carnivore
- An animal whose diet consists mainly or entirely of meat. Carnivores are usually predators and hunt other animals. They are well-adapted for hunting and have strong jaws and teeth. Some carnivores will eat plant material as well as meat.
- Crepuscular
- Active during the evening and early morning hours.
- Crossbred dogs
- Dogs that have bred randomly rather than through artificial selection. The opposite of purebred.
- Domesticate
- To change from a wild to a tame state.
- Natural selection
- The mechanism of change and survival influenced by adapting to environmental factors.
- Nocturnal
- Active at night.
- Omnivore
- An animal that will eat both plants and meat.
- Pack
- A group of closely related animals that live and hunt together.
- Purebred Dog
- Dogs bred from members of a recognized breed over many generations through artificial selection. The opposite of crossbred.
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